STEM

911�� Announces Newest Class of MEDC Michigander Scholars

lmadaus — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 19:04:28 +0000

911�� Announces Newest Class of MEDC Michigander Scholars

lmadaus Mon, 11/17/2025 - 14:04

911�� and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) have named 81 Kettering students to represent the University’s 2025 class of Michigander Scholars. The innovative Michigander Scholars program includes both recognition and financial awards: all named Scholars gain access to exclusive networking opportunities with Michigan’s leading employers, while select participants earn scholarships of $5,000 and up to $10,000 for completing a Co-op (or internship) and/or accepting a full-time position as a computer, electrical, or process engineer, or as a software developer (or a similar job title) with a participating company. To date, more than 175 scholarships have been awarded, and more than 150 Kettering students and recent graduates have been recognized as part of this groundbreaking program.

Employers such as Ford, GM, BorgWarner, Bosch, Hemlock Semiconductor, Magna, Mahle, Nissan, Our Next Energy Inc., and ZF are investing in this growing talent pipeline to ensure a steady flow of skilled professionals ready to contribute to next-generation mobility, energy, and manufacturing sectors.

The Michigander Scholars program strengthens Michigan’s innovation ecosystem by connecting high-achieving students in tech and engineering with the state’s leading employers. Through career mentorship, industry engagement and paid experiential learning, including 911��’s signature Co-op program, the initiative fosters early and ongoing relationships between students and companies that shape Michigan’s future economy.

The first of its kind in the United States, this program represents an unprecedented public-private partnership with some of Michigan’s leading advanced manufacturing employers and universities. This MEDC initiative is a vital talent retention strategy that fills in-demand jobs in the semiconductor and electric vehicle industries, which are essential to Michigan’s economic growth.

These classes of 911�� Michigander Scholars include:

BORGWARNER

Justin Bankston, Harper Woods, Renaissance High School, Class of 2027, Electrical Engineering
Nicholas MacDonald, Flint, Kearsley High School, Class of 2027, Mechanical Engineering
Cleshaun Moorer, Grand Blanc, Grand Blanc High School, Class of 2028, Computer Science
Manuel Rocha, Bahia de Banderas, Mexico, Harkness Institute, Class of 2027, Computer Science
Ilaria Todaj, Legnano, Italy, Lutheran High School North, Class of 2027, Computer Engineering

BOSCH

Isabella Coleman, Lincoln Park, Wayne County Community College, Class of 2025, Industrial Engineering
Augusta Hayek, Flushing, Flushing High School, Class of 2027, Electrical Engineering
Peyton Jones, Evans City, IN, North Catholic High School, Class of 2025, Mechanical Engineering
Colt Melton, Smiths Creek, Marysville High School, Class of 2028, Computer Science
Alex Rolle, Freeport, Bahamas, Eight Mile Rock High School, Class of 2028, Chemical Engineering

FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Malachi Holbrook, Flint, Carman Ainsworth High School, Class of 2027, Computer Engineering
Michael Huot, Fenton, Lake Fenton High School, Class of 2027, Electrical Engineering
Sumukh Kallur, Novi, Novi High School, Class of 2028, Mechanical Engineering
Cheick Kone, Flint, Class of 2028, Electrical Engineering
Adriana Lippolis, Linden, Hartland High School, Class of 2028, Computer Science & Computer Engineering
Justin Miller, Fenton, Hartland High School, Class of 2026, Industrial Engineering
Elizabeth Sullivan, Pinckney, Livonia Churchill High School, Class of 2027, Computer Science
Samantha Robinson, Warren, Lutheran High School Northwest, Class of 2027, Computer Science
Jazmin Thomas, Mount Morris, Class of 2025, Computer Science

GENERAL DYNAMICS LAND SYSTEMS

Alexander Denha, Macomb, New Haven High School, Class of 2027, Computer Engineering
Christian Kursinsky, Sandusky, Sandusky High School, Class of 2027, Electrical Engineering
Steven Paquette, Shelby Township, Utica High School, Class of 2027, Mechanical Engineering
Michael Spreng, Flint, Carman Ainsworth High School, Class of 2025, Mechanical Engineering
Drew Zolenski, Whitmore Lake, Whitmore Lake High School, Class of 2025, Computer Engineering

GENERAL MOTORS

Jason Barksdale, Tecumseh, Tecumseh High School, Class of 2026, Mechanical Engineering
Jordan Ceperov, Saline, Saline High School, Class of 2028, Mechanical Engineering
Danielle Ciokajlo, Farmington Hills, Farmington High School, Class of 2026, Mechanical Engineering
Sophia Hazelwood, North Branch, North Branch High School, Class of 2026, Computer Science
Ryan Hociota, Novi, International Academy West, Class of 2027, Electrical Engineering
Troy Korns, Chesterfield, Lutheran High School North, Class of 2027, Computer Engineering
Julie Marchioni, St. Clair Shores, Lakeshore High School, Class of 2025, Mechanical Engineering
Aaron Penrose, Lake Orion, Lake Orion High School, Class of 2028, Mechanical Engineering
Joseph Phan, Grand Rapids, West Catholic High School, Class of 2025, Electrical Engineering
Michael Rosczewski, Ortonville, Detroit Country Day High School, Class of 2025, Mechanical Engineering
Jack Sigelko, Rochester Hills, Class of 2025, Computer Engineering
Amanda Smith, Beverly Hills, Class of 2025, Industrial Engineering*
Ryan Stark, Romeo, Romeo High School, Class of 2027, Electrical Engineering
Sheldon Stone, Rochester Hills, Rochester Adams High School, Class of 2029, Industrial Engineering
Grayson Whaley, Rochester, Stoney Creek High School, Class of 2027, Mechanical Engineering

HEMLOCK SEMICONDUCTOR

Kevin Patterson, Goodrich, Class of 2025, Electrical Engineering*
Elijah Rowland, Owosso, Flushing High School, Class of 2027, Mechanical Engineering

MAGNA

Luke Baysinger, St. Clair, St. Clair High School, Class of 2025, Mechanical Engineering
Kianna Lucas, Spring, Texas, Class of 2027, Engineering
Alex Martinek, Berrien Springs, Berrien Springs High School, Class of 2028, Engineering
Sean Miller, Linden, Fenton High School, Class of 2027, Mechanical Engineering
Madalyn Scheffler, Gaines, Linden High School, Class of 2026, Mechanical Engineering
Giuseppe Waller, Ypsilanti, Plymouth Christian Academy, Class of 2028, Mechanical Engineering

MAHLE

Christopher Ciak, Swartz Creek, Swartz Creek High School, Class of 2026, Computer and Mechanical Engineering
Andrew Johnson, Columbiaville, Lapeer High School, Class of 2027, Mechanical Engineering

MOBIS

Ansh Suryavanshi, New Delhi, India, Brain International School, Class of 2025, Computer Science

OUR NEXT ENERGY

James Stratton, Flushing, Grand Blanc High School, Class of 2025, Engineering

TENNECO

Evan Muchler, Grass Lake, Chelsea High School, Class of 2028, Mechanical Engineering

Blake Ronne, Shelby Township, Eisenhower High School, Class of 2025, Mechanical Engineering
Michael Steffler, Lapeer, Lapeer High School, Class of 2028, Engineering

* Student was awarded a $10,000 full-time scholarship and will complete a Co-op (or internship) and/or accept a full-time position as a computer, electrical, or process engineer, or as a software developer (or a similar job title) with a participating company.

Kettering Alumna Honored at 2023 Women of Color STEM Digital Twin Experience (DTX) Conference

rnorris — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 15:51:48 +0000

Kettering Alumna Honored at 2023 Women of Color STEM Digital Twin Experience (DTX) Conference

Alumni

STEM

rnorris Wed, 08/09/2023 - 11:51

Gitanjli McRoy ’93 lives her life by following advice from her father: “If you can find what you are good at, you are blessed. If you can find what you are good at and you love it, you are truly blessed. Strive to be truly blessed.”

McRoy says she’s truly blessed.

She started her career at Ford Motor Co. as a Co-op student majoring in Electrical Engineering. Now, McRoy is the Chief Engineer of EV Energy Management Systems at Ford and recently learned she’ll receive the Special Recognition Award at the 2023 Women of Color STEM Digital Twin Experience (DTX) Conference in Detroit. The conference is Oct. 12-14.

“I’m so honored that I was nominated and extremely humbled to receive an award,” McRoy said.

Now in its 28th year, the annual Women of Color STEM DTX Conference celebrates outstanding achievements in STEM. McRoy’s team nominated her for the award. A panel of judges evaluated the nominations and selected the winners.

“Never before in the history of Women of Color has the judging been so difficult. This year’s class of nominees was the largest and strongest we have seen yet,” McRoy’s award letter stated. “Close to half of the 2023 awardees are managers, directors or vice presidents of major organizations. According to the Department of Labor, nearly half of the U.S. workforce is made up of women. Clearly, women around the world are proving they are willing and able to lead the corporations of America. Through your accomplishments and the example you set for other women, you are leading the way to change these circumstances.”

McRoy said she’s always been a proponent of encouraging women to consider a career in STEM.

“I think it’s important for people to see themselves when they look at their company—when they look at their field,” she said. “It can be discouraging when they don’t see that.”

She said the Co-op program was invaluable in preparing her for her career.

“We [Kettering students] graduate with experience and knowledge that helps us hit the ground running,” McRoy said. “And it required that we were fast learners that could handle challenges. These are underlying keys to being successful in any STEM field, especially with new technologies.”

After graduation, McRoy continued working at Ford and earned her Master in Business Administration from University of Michigan. She has worked in the powertrain area for more than 30 years and has more than 10 years of experience in electrification. In her role, McRoy supports the upfront design selection for electric vehicles, full hybrids and plug-in hybrids.

“I really love my current role at Ford, and I look forward to doing my best for my team and our customers,” she said.

McRoy returned to her alma mater Tuesday for Ford Day. In the morning, students checked out the latest products from Ford’s showroom. During lunchtime, a panel of Ford alumni leadership and recent grads, which includes McRoy, spoke about what it’s like to work at Ford.

“There are certain majors we are looking for supporting that transition to EVs, but I really can’t understate how important the product requires multidisciplinary teams,” McRoy said. “You’re not going to make a great product with just double Es [Electrical Engineering] or just Computer Science. You have to understand how the mechanics come together, how heat transfers are going to impact your electrical performance, so you really need to know the basics. Then follow what you find exciting, interesting and that you know you’re good at.”

She said students should have a plan for their careers but be OK with taking a different route and “learn to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

“Trying new things and taking on challenges can be so rewarding and helps you grow the most,” McRoy said.

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Electrical Engineering

STEM

911������ Announces Newest Class of MEDC Michigander Scholars

Kettering Alumna Honored at 2023 Women of Color STEM Digital Twin Experience (DTX) Conference

911�� Announces Newest Class of MEDC Michigander Scholars