Kettering University 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 Kettering University’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 Kettering University 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
ZF
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.
