Alumni

Once the Green Flag Drops: How TaiJaune Robinson Engineers Success for GM Motorsports

lmadaus — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 13:53:49 +0000

Once the Green Flag Drops: How TaiJaune Robinson Engineers Success for GM Motorsports

lmadaus Mon, 02/16/2026 - 08:53

As Engineering Business Manager for GM Motorsports, TaiJaune Robinson M’21 plays a pivotal role in some of racing’s biggest moments, an impact powered by her 911�� graduate education.

Raised in Youngstown, Ohio, Robinson’s educational journey began at Youngstown State University's Early College program, where she earned her associate’s degree before completing her high school diploma. That early acceleration laid the foundation for her pursuit of advanced study at 911��, where she earned her Master of Science in Lean Manufacturing, a program built around systems thinking, operational decision-making, and real-world application.

Today, Robinson works at the center of one of the world's most competitive and fast-moving industries. From overseeing the HVAC module of the C8 Corvette to now coordinating GM’s motorsports efforts across NASCAR, IndyCar, IMSA, WEC, off-road, supercars, and Cadillac’s newest entry in Formula 1, she has built her career on technical depth, confidence, and cross-functional leadership.

Robinson credits her Lean Manufacturing degree at Kettering with providing her with the tools to optimize complex systems and the people who operate within them. That systems-level mindset is increasingly visible across GM Motorsports, including within Cadillac Racing, now led by Kettering alumna Keely Bosn, as the organization aligns teams, technology, and long-term strategy across series.

One standout project required Robinson to design a comprehensive work cycle for a product from scratch. “Building this work cycle forced me to see all of the contributing factors for running a successful organization with minimal waste,” she recalls. “I learned how to manage budgets, engineering services, legal agreements, capacity planning, and operational priorities that extend well beyond the shop floor.”

Kettering’s emphasis on teamwork was equally formative. In labs and collaborative projects, students are expected to contribute as both individuals and team members. “You’re forced to contribute as a team member, identify the strengths in your team members and leverage them,” she explains.

Those skills became critical when Robinson entered the motorsports industry. “I had absolutely no idea that I would end up in Motorsports,” she admits. “This role came to me through a mentor who challenged me to look beyond what I thought I knew and reminded me that my goal is to make a difference. What better way to do that than to BE the difference?”

That philosophy resonates as Cadillac prepares to take the global stage. “The Cadillac Formula 1 Team project is super exciting, and I am extremely proud to be a part,” Robinson says. “We are doing something here that none of our competitors have done. This effort brings global visibility to the technical expertise within General Motors.”

Not surprisingly, things move fast in motorsports, and that’s exactly what Robinson loves about it. “One of the coolest parts about my job is that no one day looks the same,” she says. “While the majority of my work is done prior to unloading at the track, when I am at the racetrack, I am typically meeting and collaborating with leadership from our partner teams and sanctioning bodies.”

From simulations to predictive analytics, her team’s “invisible” work determines how cars perform. “Our tools must be as close to real life as possible to be effective in prepping our drivers for what’s to come once the green flag drops,” Robinson explains.

But the best part about raceday? “Victory Lane!” Robinson explains. “We have some pretty awesome race teams under the Chevy and Cadillac umbrellas, and the most rewarding feeling is celebrating a win with the team.”

Just as Kettering opened doors for her, Robinson now makes it a priority to open doors for others. She leads inclusion activities at tracks, partners with programs like Racing with Rajah, and invites students who have never set foot in a garage to see behind the scenes.

“When I meet students who have never been around racing before, I open the door by simply sharing my own story,” she says. “As a kid from the east side of Youngstown, my story and journey have been everything but traditional. I encourage students to see that it doesn’t matter where you come from, as long as you are willing to learn and grow, you can have a career in motorsports.”

Alumni Outing - Tigers vs. Red Sox

eoboyle — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 18:01:17 +0000

Alumni Outing - Tigers vs. Red Sox

Alumni

eoboyle Wed, 02/11/2026 - 13:01

2026-03-10T13:00:00-0400 _2026-03-10T18:00:00-0400

Jet Blue Park, Fort Meyers, Florida

Ticket and gathering information

Alumni Social in Arizona

eoboyle — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 18:27:06 +0000

Alumni Social in Arizona

Alumni

eoboyle Tue, 02/03/2026 - 13:27

2026-03-13T17:00:00-0400 _2026-03-13T19:00:00-0400

Nextspace (Scottsdale, AZ)

Fueling the Future: Alumni Association Awards $27,500 to High School Robotics Teams

lmadaus — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:41:10 +0000

Fueling the Future: Alumni Association Awards $27,500 to High School Robotics Teams

lmadaus Tue, 01/06/2026 - 11:41

The 911��/GMI Alumni Association (KGMIAA) is backing the next generation of problem-solvers, announcing this week that it has awarded $27,500 in sponsorships to 55 high school robotics teams (FRC, FTC, and VEX). Teams applied from 16 different states.

This effort is part of a larger commitment by 911�� to support robotics talent nationwide, both on and off campus. From hosting pre-college camps and national competitions to awarding scholarships, Kettering is a recognized hub for students who begin their STEM journeys through robotics.

The initiative represents a strategic effort by the KGMIAA to directly support the University’s recruitment efforts. The sponsorships are funded through proceeds from the annual Major Sobey Golf Outing and the generous contributions of alumni and donors to the Boost Robotics Campaign.

These 55 teams are part of a broader national robotics ecosystem that includes thousands of FIRST, FTC, and VEX teams competing this season, many of whom will engage with Kettering through events, camps, and campus visits.

"We were truly impressed by the high quality of all applications this year," said Mike Dubeck '88, Chair of the KGMIAA Board Recruitment Committee.

This year, applicants had the option to submit a video instead of a traditional essay. According to the committee, this gave teams a chance to showcase their engineering mindset, team dynamics, and creative energy in a more personal and compelling way.

"It is inspiring to see the caliber of talent and dedication in these high school students," Dubeck said. "By supporting these teams, we are not just funding robots; we are investing in future engineers and leaders who we hope will one day call 911�� home."

The sponsored teams noted that the funds would be critical for competition success, with many planning to utilize the money for various needs, including paying for registration fees, covering travel expenses, and purchasing essential parts and equipment for their robots.

A Network of Mentors

Beyond the financial support, the campaign highlights the deep personal involvement of the University’s alumni network in STEM education. The committee reported that 112 Kettering/GMI alumni are currently actively involved with these high school teams, serving as mentors, coaches, and technical and programming advisors.

"The alumni engagement we’ve seen through robotics is phenomenal," said Eric Szczepanski, Director of Alumni Engagement at 911��. "To learn that over 100 of our alumni are out there right now, volunteering their time to mentor these students, speaks volumes about the Kettering spirit."

Szczepanski noted that this level of involvement serves as a powerful reminder that Kettering graduates are more than engineers. They’re mentors, leaders, and community builders.

The KGMIAA and 911�� wish all sponsored teams the best of luck in their upcoming competitions.

Golden Circle Brunch 2026

eoboyle — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 22:20:07 +0000

Golden Circle Brunch 2026

Alumni

eoboyle Fri, 12/12/2025 - 17:20

2026-09-13T11:00:00-0400 _2026-09-13T13:00:00-0400

Learning Commons, 911�� Campus

Members of the Class of 1976 and prior classes are welcome to attend.

Regsiter Here

Alumni Association Golf Outing in Arizona

eoboyle — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 22:04:35 +0000

Alumni Association Golf Outing in Arizona

Alumni

eoboyle Fri, 12/12/2025 - 17:04

2026-03-14T09:00:00-0400 _2026-03-14T16:00:00-0400

Alumni Connections Week

eoboyle — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 17:13:49 +0000

Alumni Connections Week

Alumni

eoboyle Tue, 11/25/2025 - 12:13

2026-09-14T00:00:00-0400 _2026-09-19T23:59:59-0400

Save the Date!

Details coming soon.

Alumni Connections Week

Major Sobey Golf Outing

eoboyle — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 17:12:44 +0000

Major Sobey Golf Outing

Alumni

eoboyle Tue, 11/25/2025 - 12:12

2026-06-13T12:00:00-0400 _2026-06-13T18:00:00-0400

Save the Date!

Major Sobey Golf Outing

SAE at the DAC

eoboyle — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 17:11:20 +0000

SAE at the DAC

Alumni

eoboyle Tue, 11/25/2025 - 12:11

2026-04-15T17:30:00-0400 _2026-04-15T19:00:00-0400

Detroit Athletic Club, Georgian Room 241 Madison St. Detroit, MI 48226

Save the Date!

911��/GMI alumni are invited to join President Robert K. McMahan during the 2026 WCX for a networking reception.

Detroit Athletic Club, Georgian Room
241 Madison St.
Detroit, MI 48226

Business dress is required. Complimentary valet parking will be available. The deadline to RSVP is Thursday, April 8, 2026

SAE at the DAC

Golden Circle Brunch

eoboyle — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 17:12:06 +0000

Golden Circle Brunch

Alumni

eoboyle Tue, 07/08/2025 - 13:12

2025-09-14T11:00:00-0400 _2025-09-14T13:00:00-0400

911�� Learning Commons

You and a guest are warmly invited to join President Robert K. McMahan and First Lady Karen McMahan for a special brunch in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Class of 1975. If you've not returned to campus recently, tours will be available immediately following the gathering.

Members of the Class of 1975 and prior classes are welcome to attend.

RSVP Here