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Miron Construction projects give construction students professional experience

giffeyt — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Miron Construction projects give construction students professional experiencegiffeyt July 22, 2026

Construction majors get up-close experience on multimillion-dollar Heritage Hall, Recreation Complex upgrades

Two major ongoing construction projects have provided 91��Ƭ Polytechnic students with exceptional applied learning opportunities without having to leave campus.

This summer, 13 91��Ƭ Polytechnic students are interning with Miron Construction, Co. Inc., general contractor for both the $144.3 million renovation of Heritage Hall and the $31.7 million upgrade of the Recreation Complex. In addition, a recent two-semester master class led by Miron staff members gave students unique access to the Heritage Hall renovation.

“We are proud to maintain a strong relationship with 91��Ƭ Polytechnic, including helping train the next generation of construction professionals through a variety of internships each year,” said Andrew Daniels, senior vice president of the company’s Eau Claire office. “The ongoing work to transform Heritage Hall and the Recreation Complex has created a unique opportunity to foster these applied learning opportunities right on campus.”

This summer, Miron interns from 91��Ƭ Polytechnic are gaining skills in project management, risk management, network security and technology support. Over the past decade, more than 40 91��Ƭ Polytechnic students have interned for Neenah-based Miron, one of the largest construction contractors in the Midwest.

Among this summer’s Miron interns from 91��Ƭ Polytechnic is Tyler Evans of Shawano, who is pursuing a degree in construction management and a minor in construction safety and risk control. As a risk management intern, Evans focuses on maintaining safety both at the Recreation Complex site on campus as well as at Miron projects around western Wisconsin. That means conducting safety walks, performing safety audits and learning the numerous factors on a job site necessary for maintaining safety.

“Safety isn’t just about us being safe and going home and not getting hurt,” said Evans, who will begin his junior year in the fall. “It’s also about how we can do things easier and faster, but also in the right way where we’re all being safe and taking care of ourselves.”

Tyler Evans, Miron Construction intern and 91��Ƭ Polytechnic construction management major

For Evans, being a risk management intern doesn’t mean sitting in a trailer filling out paperwork. It means getting out on job sites and pitching in alongside the construction crews. “It’s allowing me to gain the knowledge and experience of what people are doing and what they have to do to make their career,” he said.

This summer’s internship, he added, will add a great deal of value to his education: Even if he goes on to become a project manager or a superintendent, the internship will have given him a strong understanding of safety. “The biggest thing about this internship is it’s allowing me to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life,” Evans said.

Miron Construction’s John Younger, project manager for the Recreation Complex renovation, is a 2011 graduate of the B.S. construction management program, as are many of his coworkers. He said his 91��Ƭ Polytechnic education prepared him for his current role, and he sees Evans getting the same experience on the campus job site.

“Tyler’s always asking a lot of questions. He’s trying to get a handle on what we do and why we do it,” Younger said.

On-campus internship leads to full-time job

Every year, the 91��Ƭ Polytechnic Cooperative Education & Internship Program oversees nearly 1,000 co-op and internship experiences. More than one-third of the time, these internships and co-ops lead to job offers – and Miron is no exception.

Consider recent graduate Lucy Krieg of Kaukauna, who received her construction management degree in May and immediately took a job as safety manager for Miron.

Lucy Krieg, safety manager for Miron and recent 91��Ƭ Polytechnic graduate

Krieg’s journey with Miron began at an on-campus career fair, which led to two consecutive summer internships and then a year-long opportunity to work on the Heritage Hall project as an intern.

“Being able to see things both on the construction site and in the classroom and being able to go back and forth between the two was really important to me,” Krieg said. For example, Krieg could experience something new during her internship, then return to the classroom and ask a faculty member about it. This kind of networking with professors and peers helped fortify the construction knowledge she gained on job sites, Krieg said.

“Looking back, I feel like my internship prepared me exactly how I needed going into my career,” she said. “It gave me the skills and the confidence that I need to back up those skills.”

Sawyer Steineke of Kaukauna is another construction management major who is interning with Miron this summer, working on projects in Green Bay, Kaukauna and elsewhere around the state. Steineke said the internship has given him a deeper understanding of the construction business, “Especially when you get in the field with people who’ve been doing this for the past 30 years.”

Steineke expects to bring his internship experience with him when he returns to class in the fall. “When I get to Heavy Construction and certain classes like that, I’ll have the knowledge that I’ve been on a job that was similar to this,” he said.

Sawyer Steineke, Miron Construction intern and 91��Ƭ Polytechnic construction management major

Likewise, the skills he’s gained this summer will follow him into his professional life. “If you speak to a lot of construction management majors, they’ll tell you a lot of the things you’re going to bring with you into your future career are going to be learned through these internships,” he said. “So, Stout allowing us to be able to do something like this and get credit for it is a really cool opportunity.”

Miron helps create year-long construction master class

The Heritage Hall project also created the opportunity for a new course that gave students unique access to the site and the construction experts working on it.

When the Heritage Hall project was in its planning stages, Lecturer James Bunkelman of the operations and management department reached out to Holly Nowak, a senior project manager with Miron, to see if he could arrange a site visit for students. Instead of offering only a tour, Nowak suggested creating a master class that would be built around the Heritage Hall project.

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Once a quarter during both the fall and spring semesters, students met for a four-hour class, which began with Miron staff members presenting topics which were then explored on the job site so students could see their real-world application.

“This was polytechnic at its finest. You couldn’t define polytechnic any better than how this class ended up,” Bunkelman said. “It can be very challenging for the students to take the academic side of what we’re trying to teach them and put it into perspective. The goal was to use the fact that Heritage Hall couldn’t be any closer or any better suited for that.”

The course turned out better than Bunkelman could have hoped: Because of the size and complexity of the project, Miron is using cutting-edge technology that might not be found at other job sites, giving students a richer experience. For example, students were able to use a virtual reality 3D model to better understand how site planning works as construction managers determine the placement of construction cranes, parking and pedestrian pathways.

Opportunities for student engagement will continue for the coming semesters, as both construction projects are expected to continue into 2028.

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The long-awaited work on Heritage Hall, which opened in 1973 as the Home Economics Building, began last September. The extensive, clean-slate renovation will double the number of students the building will be able to serve to about 4,000. The project was primarily funded through the 2023-25 state budget, with an additional $13.5 million in private funding from university supporters, industry partners and alumni made through the 91��Ƭ Foundation & Alumni Association.

The Recreation Complex project, which began last spring, will add nearly 12,000 square feet of recreation space and renovate an additional 28,000 square feet at the facility, which was built in 1963. The project is primarily funded through student fees as well as a record-setting $5 million gift from alumnus Dallas Pankowski and his wife, Edye, a Menomonie native.

Construction management majors get up-close experience on multimillion-dollar Heritage Hall, Recreation Complex upgrades Miron Construction Scaffolding Training

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Xcel Energy Cedar Falls Hydro project supports construction students’ industry experiences

goersab — Tue, 12 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Xcel Energy Cedar Falls Hydro project supports construction students’ industry experiencesgoersab May 12, 2026

Collaboration encourages students to consider impacts of infrastructure on greater community

Abbey Goers

Donning hard hats and safety vests, construction management and risk control students from 91��Ƭ recently stood at the base of the Cedar Falls Hydroelectric plant and peered up at the 60-foot-tall dam that creates the 1,800-acre Tainter Lake, north of Menomonie.

Cedar Falls Hydro is one of 19 hydroelectric facilities in Wisconsin operated by Xcel Energy, with a total generating capacity of about 272 megawatts of renewable and carbon-free electricity.

Xcel Energy is in the midst of a multi-year, $50 million+ project designed to improve the safety and increase spillway capacity of the Cedar Falls Hydro Dam. The phased upgrade first involves upgrades to the spillway, including tie-back anchors and mass concrete infill work. Future phases involve installing upstream cofferdams to install new spillway gates and constructing a downstream stilling basin to help reduce erosion of the riverbed at the dam.

Students in the Heavy Construction Methods & Equipment class, led by Assistant Professor Janelle Skoyen Hestekin and Lecturer John Beckfield, visited the site to see Xcel Energy’s project in operation and witness real-world applications surrounding the major community asset and capital project.

“Xcel Energy supports investment in educating the next generation of construction professionals by providing exposure to real-world construction projects and practical work experiences with 91��Ƭ students interested in the field of engineering, design and construction,” said Xcel Energy Project Manager Anthony Witkowski.

Prior to their visit, students worked together as a mock construction company to develop a broad-based construction plan for a mass concrete infill project, inspired by the Cedar Falls Hydro project. They presented their plan, which included materials, equipment, scheduling, staffing, permits, environmental quality, safety and job hazard analysis, and cost estimates to Witkowski and other Xcel Energy staff at the Cedar Falls site.

“It is clear the students put a significant amount of thought and preparation into their presentations in the areas of construction planning, construction safety, project scheduling and project cost estimating. I appreciated the clear written and verbal communication presented by the students,” Witkowski said.

Xcel Energy is an active member of 91��Ƭ’s Construction Industry Advisory Committee, from which the collaboration and learning opportunity arose. Hestekin adapted her course structure to incorporate the project and guided students throughout the process.

The class project kicked off with a visit from Witkowski and Dean Steines, chief dam safety engineer – hydro operations, who introduced the project background and design goals to the students from the owner’s perspective. They also met with Shane McFadden, CEO of Engineering & Construction Innovations, Inc. (ECI), the project's prime contractor, and ECI project staff to compare their planned approach to how ECI is actively completing the work.

“The project exposed students to the heavy civil sector of construction work, where new talent is needed to grow the workforce. A sincere thank you to Xcel Energy for offering this opportunity to the students,” said Hestekin, who is looking forward to additional opportunities for students to collaborate at the Cedar Falls site and other nearby facilities.

Students from Associate Professors Calvin Chen’s Building Electrical and Control Systems class and Assistant Professor Ashely Der’s Construction Safety / Risk Control class also visited the site to see the operations of the power distribution network to the nearby cities, and safety management procedures, such as hot work – welding, cutting, soldering, and other tasks that produce heat, sparks or flame – and Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), a safety procedure used to protect workers by preventing the unexpected energization or startup of machinery and equipment.

Presenting a complete construction plan

The Cedar Falls dam, constructed in 1910, is one of a few remaining Ambursen dams – hollow dams with open sections between the buttresses on the downstream side of the dam. It is the hollow sections that will be filled with mass concrete, which was the focus of the students’ presentation.

Their broad-based construction plan and estimate for a mass concrete infill project, presented to Xcel Energy as the owner, included staff wages, material and machinery costs, transportation of material, equipment and personnel, and overhead costs.

The students’ simulated work would consist of four separate concrete pours in each of the dam’s 18 bays, with work beginning on Aug. 10 and completion on Nov. 12, taking into account rainfall, river flow and potential temperature-related concrete issues.

Their safety plan listed OSHA safety training requirements; the inspection of equipment, causeway, the local road and dam; and more.

Allie Hubbard, of Forest Lake, Minnesota, Ben Larson, of West Salem, and Blake Bargender, of Abbotsford, think the project was the most beneficial experience in the course, allowing them to visualize their classroom learning in a real-world setting.

“What stood out most was experiencing the project as if we were part of an actual company. I gained a better understanding of how important communication is across all team roles. I also learned the importance of maintaining strong relationships with subcontractors, since the construction industry is highly interconnected,” said Hubbard, who is also majoring in interior design.

Being able to visit the site and talk to the people actually working on the project gave Larson a new perspective and helped him see what the student group did well on their project and what they could have done better, Larson said.

Bargender plans to one day serve as a project manager for a commercial construction company. “This research project, presentation, and site visit significantly helped me prepare for my future career because it simulated a very realistic situation of estimating and planning in the role of a project manager,” he said.

Students contributing to the greater community

Xcel Energy’s long-standing partnership with 91��Ƭ continues to grow in meaningful ways, said Community Relations Manager Tim Bartels. “We are pleased to connect students directly with real-world infrastructure and community assets. We’re especially proud that these collaborations support broader commitment to sustainability, giving students the opportunity to engage with projects that advance clean energy and the communities we serve,” he said.

Hubbard thinks that with industry partners and collaborators, like Xcel, that encourage hands-on learning, “Stout students can continue to make lasting impacts on community and environmental projects by applying what we learn in class to real-world situations. Projects like the hydro facility show how we can contribute to the greater community. I am most interested in the opportunity to contribute to how our world is built in the future and to make a lasting impact on the places people use every day,” she said.

Larson and Bargender agreed and added that students can also make an impact on community or environmental projects by getting involved with student organizations, like the Student Construction Association, Women in Construction, and Sigma Lambda Chi, and by volunteering or joining a construction competition team to gain real experience.

“The more you put in, the more you get out of it,” Larson said. “What I like most about my construction management major is how many opportunities it opens up. In our program, we are exposed to a little bit of everything. So, when we graduate, there are so many directions within the industry. I like that flexibility and the fact that the possibilities are pretty much endless.”

As a construction management and interior design double major, Hubbard enjoys being a part of the entire process “from the very beginning, meeting with clients, understanding their needs and wants, and then bringing their vision to life. It’s especially rewarding to guide clients through the process and ultimately hand over the keys to a finished structure they can be excited about,” she said.

Xcel Energy provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Its spillway modernization project was approved by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin in 2021, with the multi-year project beginning in 2022. The project is part of Xcel Energy’s investment in a cleaner electric system, as it drives toward 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050.

Graduates from 91��Ƭ’s B.S. construction management program reported a 100% employment rate within six months of graduation and an average starting salary of $70,000, according to the latest university First Destination Report.

91��Ƭ’s School of Management offers 20 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates that build students' leadership skills in operations and management, business, hospitality and technology innovation, and military science fields.

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Internships with Yankees, PGA Tour, Vikings, Brewers and beyond give 91��Ƭ students big-league skills

giffeyt — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Internships with Yankees, PGA Tour, Vikings, Brewers and beyond give 91��Ƭ students big-league skillsgiffeyt March 25, 2026

Students get professional experience working with sports professionals

Tom Giffey

91��Ƭ senior Carson Leuzinger may be paying a little more attention than usual this year to Major League Baseball’s Opening Day, when the New York Yankees face the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, March 25.

That’s because Leuzinger, a dietetics major from Monroe, had two internships with the Yankees last summer at their development and rehabilitation center in Tampa, Florida. There he helped All-Stars and new draft picks alike get healthy – and stay healthy – by making the right nutritional choices.

91��Ƭ student Carson Leuzinger poses in front of a mural celebrating the Yankees' many World Series victories. / Submitted photo

The Yankees aren’t the only professional sports franchise where 91��Ƭ students have interned in the past few years. Blue Devils have worked with VIPs as black jacket interns for the Minnesota Vikings. They have served as coaching fellows with the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and made sure PGA Tour events were up to par. And they’ve worked behind the scenes for the home-state Milwaukee Brewers to ensure services for fans and clients were home runs.

All the while, Blue Devils like Leuzinger were finding ways to apply their 91��Ƭ education.

“Some things I learned at Stout that helped me down there were having a basic understanding of the macronutrients and micronutrients, what’s high in protein, what’s high in fat,” Leuzinger said. “I remember one time I was in the cafeteria and a player came up to me and said, ‘I want to eat a lot of protein. Should I eat shrimp or pork today?’ Just knowing that was a good background.”

Whether for major league sports franchises, Fortune 500 firms, or Main Street businesses, career-focused experiences like Leuzinger’s are key to 91��Ƭ’s polytechnic identity. 91��Ƭ students enroll in roughly 1,000 internship and co-op experiences annually, giving them career-ready skills before they receive diplomas. In fact, 35% of 91��Ƭ students accept positions with their co-op or internship employer.

The Yankees' facility in Tampa, Florida, includes exercise areas (left), George Steinbrenner Field (center), and dining facilities (right), where Carson Leuzinger kept players fed. / Submitted photos

Helping the Yankees at the plate

Leuzinger, a guard on the Blue Devils men’s basketball team, came to 91��Ƭ with the goal of pursuing a career in some aspect of sports, whether it was nutrition, strength training, physical therapy or chiropractic. Ultimately, encouraged by what faculty members described as an increasing demand for dieticians, he joined the B.S. dietetics program.

Leuzinger first took part in an unpaid internship for the Yankees last June, then was asked to return in August for a paid internship. He worked at the team’s facility in Tampa across the street from George Steinbrenner Field, which serves the Yankees during spring training as well as the regular season home of one of their minor league affiliates, the Tampa Tarpons.

Starting his days at 7 a.m., Leuzinger would work to keep players — notably those who had just been drafted as well as major leaguers who were undergoing rehab — fed and hydrated. His tasks included making meal plans for players, creating charts about the nutritional value of meals at restaurants near the facility and stocking fuel stations with protein shakes, granola bars and vitamins.

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“One thing that shocked me was just how approachable everyone at the facility was — players and staff,” Leuzinger said. “They’re all just the nicest people ever. It can be intimidating coming to an internship with the Yankees, being a college student. They all took me in like I was just another part of the organization.”

He particularly enjoyed working and chatting with the likes of right fielder Aaron Judge, last season’s American League MVP, as well as pitchers Carlos Rodón and Cam Schlittler. “Once you meet them and get to know them, you become more of a fan,” he said. “You kind of realize they’re just regular dudes at the end of the day. They’re just guys who play baseball who are really good at it.”

Leuzinger said his internship impacted what has been on his own training table as a student athlete: He returned from Tampa with a few new ideas, including electrolyte grapes (grapes mixed with electrolyte drink powder and frozen), protein balls and smoothie recipes.

Even more importantly, Leuzinger had opportunities for professional networking. The facility’s head dietician, for example, had previously worked for the NCAA Division I programs at the University of North Carolina and the University of Florida. “It’s important to build those connections because you never know who they know,” he said.

Garret Sigl during his internship at the Ryder Cup golf tournament in Farmingdale, New York. / Submitted photo

Behind-the-scenes experience

91��Ƭ’s B.S. golf enterprise management program has also provided a pathway to internships with affiliates of the PGA Tour, giving undergraduates behind-the-scenes experience at some of the golf world’s most notable venues and events.

Senior Garret Sigl, a golf enterprise management major from Seymour, got an inside look at what it takes to make major competitions like the PGA Championship succeed during an internship last summer with Patina Group, a restaurant, hospitality and catering company owned by Delaware North.

Sigl split his logistics and operations specialist internship between working at a Patina warehouse near Green Bay — which housed countless items needed for large-scale catering jobs — and helping with three major PGA events.

“All the behind-the-scenes things that you wouldn’t think of, I got to help organize, work on and clean up,” Sigl explained. “Then whenever a tournament would come up, I’d fly out to the event, work there and come back to the warehouse.”

He spent nearly two weeks working at last May’s PGA Championship, which was held at the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. The following month brought him to the Women’s PGA Championship at Fields Ranch East in Frisco, Texas. Then, even after the fall semester began, he spent late September working at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black Course at Farmingdale, New York. Sigl gained experience in the back-of-house operations for these prestigious tournaments, which drew hundreds of competitors and hundreds of thousands of spectators.

For example, at the Women’s PGA Tournament he oversaw the building that served food for caddies and players. “I like to say my position was kind of like an air traffic controller,” Sigl explained. “There are constantly problems that come up, and you don’t have much time to solve them, so you have to find a way to reprioritize what’s going on, how important it is, and work your way through. It was quite interesting just to see how much organized chaos goes on and how well you’re able to overcome some challenges that can step in your way.”

At the Ryder Cup, which pits teams of American and European golfers against each other, Sigl’s tasks ranged from ensuring supplies were property accounted for to managing liquor inventory to making sure 2,000 doughnuts were delivered each morning.

“I think the biggest thing I learned is how important teamwork and being positive helps with the workplace environment,” said Sigl, who is also a member of the 91��Ƭ men’s golf team. “I’ve worked at many different companies and a couple of different industries, but I’ve never worked in a place that has as much positivity and shows as much teamwork as the Patina Group and Delaware North.”

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Making connections through 91��Ƭ

Junior Henry Lavin, also a golf enterprise management major, spent the past two summers interning at the Tournament Players Club (TPC) Twin Cities, first as a golf shop intern and then as golf shop coordinator. The PGA Tour-owned course in Blaine, Minnesota, which hosts the 3M Open, has given Lavin plenty of opportunities to apply the skills he’s learned at 91��Ƭ.

“Everything I have been taught I have used during my internships,” Lavin said. “Every lesson that we have had a purpose. I’ve really noticed that, and it’s allowed me to really truly like school.”

91��Ƭ student Henry Lavin, right, at TPC Twin Cities his internship. Next to him is 91��Ƭ alum Ben Plant, an assistant golf pro at the course. / Submitted photo

Lavin formed a connection with 91��Ƭ even as a high school student in Richfield, Minnesota, when he reached out to Professor Emeritus Chris Schoonover, then the director of the golf enterprise management program, for a career research paper. Schoonover referred him to 2009 91��Ƭ alum Adam Chandler, then head golf pro at TPC Twin Cities. This connection led to both internships.

During the summer after his freshman year at 91��Ƭ, Lavin helped run TPC Twin Cities’ junior golf programs, helped with youth lessons and assisted with tournaments. “My first-year internship was probably the best summer of my life,” Lavin said. “It really made me fall in love with the golf industry. It really opened my eyes to all the possibilities that could be.”

The following summer he gained responsibilities, especially during the 3M Open, when Lavin helped build and operate the fan shop that catered to tournament spectators. In between his retail duties, Lavin got to mingle with top players in the clubhouse. And on the Monday before the main tournament started, Lavin was even called in to caddy for an up-and-coming pro during a one-day pro-am competition.

In addition to rubbing shoulders with pro golfers, Lavin enjoyed being able to meet some of the top merchandisers with the PGA Tour, giving him insight into the retail portion of the golf industry.

And while Lavin won’t graduate for more than a year, 91��Ƭ connections have already contributed to a career path in the sport he loves. 91��Ƭ alum Chandler, his former boss at TPC Twin Cities, is now head pro at Edina Country Club, and he has offered Lavin an internship at the course this year and the opportunity to become an assistant pro the following year.

“So I have a job lined up once I graduate, which is pretty exciting and at a very good facility with a boss that I absolutely love,” Lavin said. “And I can confidently say that was mostly due to Stout’s networking.”

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Royal Credit Union internship showcases student's data science, machine learning skills

giffeyt — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Royal Credit Union internship showcases student's data science, machine learning skillsgiffeyt January 29, 2026

M.S. applied computer science student finds workplaces experience aligns with coursework

Tom Giffey

A yearlong business intelligence internship at Royal Credit Union, one of Wisconsin’s largest financial institutions, has helped a 91��Ƭ applied computer science graduate student gain confidence and skill in both data engineering and machine learning.

“It’s been a fun experience. I’m really grateful,” said Justin George, who expects to receive his M.S. applied computer science degree in May. “This internship has been the best part of my Stout experience so far.”

George began his business intelligence internship last May at the Eau Claire-based financial institution, which serves 330,000 members through 28 branches in western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota. Now in its third semester, George’s internship has provided an opportunity for him to apply what he’s learned through his degree program at Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University.

Professor Keith Wojciechowski of 91��Ƭ’s Department of Math, Statistics and Computer Science, who encouraged George to pursue the internship, praised the graduate student for seizing the opportunity and making it a successful experience.

“One of the things that we emphasized and that he was very eager to do was to get an internship where he could apply those skills and learn on the job,” Wojciechowski said.

Lou Heimstead, Royal’s business intelligence and analytics manager, supervises 91��Ƭ student Justin George during his internship.

Student’s work makes business data visual

91��Ƭ’s M.S. applied computer science program provides professionals in a wide range of occupations a pathway to deepen their knowledge, skills and experience with computer systems that automate tasks, analyze data and create new workflows. Through the program, George has been able to focus on topics that interest him, such as data visualization and machine learning, both of which have played a role in his Royal internship.

Lou Heimstead, business intelligence and analytics manager at Royal, said George has been fully integrated into her team and its work. “He’s not doing isolated intern tasks,” Heimstead said. “He’s been learning and applying the same processes that our business intelligence analysts and data engineers use.”

And as George has continued to demonstrate his skills, the scope of the internship has expanded into the realm of machine learning, a subset of artificial intelligence in which algorithms are used to find patterns in data to make predictions without explicit programming.

“What he has added is the capacity to bring in his technical skills that align closely with what he’s been studying at 91��Ƭ, specifically data science and machine learning,” Heimstead explained. “With that background, he’s been able to contribute to more technical work that would otherwise compete for my senior analyst’s time. So rather than replacing existing work, he’s actually been expanding what the team can realistically take on, especially in areas requiring stronger programming, modeling and data science skills.”

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Expanding machine learning applications

Last summer, four undergraduates — including two from 91��Ƭ — took part in a machine learning internship at Royal. They focused on writing software to dive into Royal’s data and address two issues: The first was studying the factors that could lead members to leave the credit union, while the second aimed to determine a “next best product” that might interest an existing member. After the undergraduates’ internship ended last summer, George was asked to continue working with the machine learning-powered software models they built.

“It was not part of my job description, but since I was interested, they were happy to give me the opportunity to work on machine learning,” he said. As a result, George continues to hone his machine learning skills, while Royal continues to benefit from what the previous interns helped build.

Graduate student Justin George, at far right, in a 91��Ƭ Advanced Machine Learning class.

In fact, Heimstead said, George has enhanced and unified the multiple machine learning models into a single model for each issue. His work ensures the solution remains both usable and valuable. That continuity helps Royal keep the work ready to build on in the future.

George said the 91��Ƭ master’s program offers a sharp contrast to his bachelor’s degree experience. “Here I get the exposure of practical training and working on projects. There are so many internship opportunities, and they are directly aligned with my academics,” George said.

“I feel like the professors are very helpful,” he continued. “They are always making sure you are getting practical exposure. It’s not just theory. That’s something I like about Stout.”

Wojciechowski is impressed by George’s hard work and adaptability in the Royal internship. “He’s out there in the world solving problems,” Wojciechowski said.

Not only has George been able to tackle the tasks he was originally hired for, but he’s been able to grow his skill set, too. “He’s been able to adapt and evolve at Royal,” Wojciechowski said. “I think that speaks very well for him.”

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91��Ƭ gets $19 million federal grant to manage statewide manufacturing program

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91��Ƭ AI technologist, STEMM professor recommend thinking critically, protecting personal data

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MKE Tech Hub, WMEP and 91��Ƭ form strategic partnership to support mid-market manufacturers

M.S. applied computer science student finds workplaces experience aligns with coursework RCU employee Lou Heimstead works with intern Justin George

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Our M.S. Applied Computer Science program will equip you with the practical computing skills to enhance your current career expertise.

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Hero Caption: M.S. applied computer science student Justin George interns at Royal Credit Union’s Corporate Center in Eau Claire.

Scott Turner

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University: Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech)

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Andersen Windows, Darley recognize engineering seniors for internship contributions

goersab — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 14:27:16 +0000

Andersen Windows, Darley recognize engineering seniors for internship contributionsgoersab June 2, 2025

Morgan, Taylor making continuous improvements to empower employees, build better industries

Abbey Goers

Twenty 91��Ƭ students received the university’s Outstanding Cooperative Education and Internship Program Student of the Year Award for excellence and achievements in their positions, contributions to their employers and academic achievement.

Among them were manufacturing engineering seniors Zachary Morgan and Taylor Thompson, both from Eau Claire. Thompson was hired full-time before graduating in May as a manufacturing engineer at Darley, where she completed her internship. Darley provides the highest quality technology and equipment solutions to the nation’s military and first responders.

Morgan is starting his third summer as an engineering intern with Andersen Windows & Doors. He is now a two-time CEIP Student of the Year award winner and was Career Services’ singular 2024 National Nominee for the National Co-op Student Award. Morgan will graduate this December and anticipates joining Andersen Windows and Doors’ engineering rotational program.

“This would allow me to continue growing with a company I deeply respect. The rotational program is an ideal next step. It will give me exposure to different areas of the business, strengthen my technical and leadership skills, and help me discover where I can make the most impact long term,” he said.

Taylor Thompson and Zachary Morgan were awarded for excellence in their Darley and Andersen Windows internships

Career success is a hallmark of an education at Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, along with applied learning and industry collaboration. This past year, Career Services reported that 990 students participated in the Cooperative Education and Internship Program at more than 600 employers in 30 states and five countries. Graduates were employed at a near historic high of 99% soon after receiving their degree. Those who received graduate degrees had an annual starting salary of $74,000. The average starting salary for recipients of undergraduate degrees was $57,000.

The CEIP program received the 2024 Excellence & Innovation Stewards of Place award from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities “for its outstanding results and potential to influence and serve as a model for other institutions.”

‘Engineering that empowers people’

Before attending 91��Ƭ, Morgan was burned out from a previous career in critical care nursing and was working in a warehouse at Andersen Windows & Doors. He saw opportunities for improvement on the floor and wanted to be in a position to help make those changes, he said.

“Returning to school for a second degree was not an easy decision, but it’s been one of the most rewarding choices I’ve ever made. The support from my professors, mentors, and peers has been invaluable, and I’ve grown not just as an engineer, but as a leader and problem-solver,” Morgan said. “I hope my journey encourages others, especially those making a career change or overcoming self-doubt, to pursue their goals with courage and persistence.”

As an engineering intern at Andersen Windows’ Menomonie Consolidation Center, Morgan focuses on improving the efficiency of the Value-Added Services mulling area, an essential part of the company’s customization process. He leads efforts in time studies, waste assessment, and layout redesign, including developing a new rack system and implementing 5S standards.

“This experience deepened my understanding of how small, thoughtful changes can create a measurable impact,” he said. “I gained confidence in using Lean tools to drive real improvements and saw how engineering can directly support both people and performance. Most importantly, I learned that lasting change starts with observation, communication and a willingness to challenge the status quo.”

Zachary Morgan, center, programs a robotic arm in 91��Ƭ's Robotics and Automation Lab

Morgan hopes to bring lasting change to the manufacturing engineering field by designing processes that are efficient and human-centered, and by building solutions that improve safety and reduce waste.

“I believe beneficial engineering doesn’t just solve problems; it empowers people,” he said. “Long-term, I want to contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, where innovation is practical, data-driven and grounded in collaboration. Whether it’s through optimizing layouts, improving ergonomics, or leading cross-functional projects, I aim to be a voice that connects technical solutions with real-world impact. In doing so, I hope to inspire others entering the field to see manufacturing not just as systems and machines, but as an opportunity to serve people and build better industries.”

Morgan thinks that 91��Ƭ has played a crucial role in preparing him for his field. Years ago, he initially shied away from 91��Ƭ and engineering, afraid of the math involved. But life showed him there are things scarier than equations, and he returned with a renewed mindset.

“My time at 91��Ƭ didn’t just prepare me academically; it taught me how to think critically, lead with resilience, and solve complex problems in real industrial environments,” he said. “If you’re curious, hardworking, and want to make a difference, Stout is a place to start.”

Morgan’s courses in Lean manufacturing, process improvement and systems design directly aligned with his internships at Andersen Windows. And the university’s emphasis on communication, teamwork and continuous improvement are skills that he thinks are just as vital as technical knowledge.

“Engaging with Stout’s outstanding professors and hands-on learning environment proved transformative. The applied learning approach, combined with industry-relevant projects and labs, helped bridge the gap between theory and real-world application,” he added.

“What motivates me most is seeing real, measurable impact, knowing that something I’ve designed makes someone’s job easier, safer or more efficient. I’m driven by challenges, but also by the people behind the processes. Manufacturing engineering allows me to combine hands-on problem-solving with purpose, and that’s what keeps me going.”

Benefiting employees through continuous improvements

During her internship with Darley, Thompson became a confident problem-solver. She played a key role in improving the company’s assembly process and supported major projects, from designing machinery to coordinating contractors.

Thompson’s internship roles included writing detailed work instructions on how to assemble different configurations of water pumps, devising process improvements for areas of the shop and developing ways to ship gears safely for heat treating to prevent damage during shipping. She also helped the manufacturing team in automating the test room.

As a full-time manufacturing engineer, she will continue to improve and standardize processes for staff on the shop floor and within her department.

“The thing I am most looking forward to in my career at Darley is to continue the projects I have been working on, learning different processes, and making improvements to benefit the workers and the company,” Thompson said. “I’m very blessed to be chosen as a cooperative internship student of the year. I’m very excited to officially be an engineer and take on larger projects in my field.”

2025 CEIP Student of the Year award recipients

Additional CEIP Student of the Year winners, their majors, hometowns and employers are:

Elaina Blazei, real estate property management, St. Paul, Premier Housing Management
Addison Braun, applied mathematics and computer science, Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Clinic
Kal Breeden, environmental science, Lakeville, Minnesota, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Ben Gau, environmental science, Champlin, Minnesota, Rainbow Treecare
Meir Hetletvedt, construction management, Minneapolis, Kraus Anderson
Connor Jensen, business administration, supply chain management, Plainview, Minnesota, Walmart
Anna Karrow, psychology, St. Paul, Wisconsin State Public Defender
Madelyn King, hotel, restaurant and tourism management, real estate property management, Brownsville, Whistling Straits
Madalyn Klaja, packaging, Hudson, Nestle Health Science
Braden Lefeber, mechanical engineering, Kaukauna, Realityworks
Faith Leisgang, hotel, restaurant and tourism management, Black River Falls, The Iron Horse Hotel
Meghana Maske, M.S. food science and technology, Maharashtra, India, Bunge
Antonio Meyer, mechanical engineering, Elk Mound, Midwest Manufacturing
Austin Moua, business administration, La Crosse, Pest Badger
Gavin Soukkaserm, animation and digital media, Sun Prairie, Universal Phoenix Group
Samuel Tornow, construction management, Eau Claire, Tesla
Maya Van Hemert, manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, Waterford, General Motors
Jazmine Williams, arts administration and entrepreneurship, Roscoe, Illinois, Discovery Center Museum

Students were recognized at the annual Leadership Awards ceremony sponsored by the Involvement Center, Stout Student Association and Career Services. The ceremony also recognized 16 seniors who received the Samuel E. Wood Medallion, the university’s highest nonacademic honor, for their outstanding leadership in student involvement at 91��Ƭ.

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Top 50 ranking on 2026 ‘Best Value Public Universities’ list adds to 91��Ƭ Polytechnic accolades

University ranked at the top based on high median earnings, graduation rates, affordable tuition

Co-op Q&A: Noah Klenner, Nicolet Plastics and Harley-Davidson

‘My internships built on the strong foundation Stout has given me by showing me how concepts are used in actual production environments.’

Co-op Q&A: Ayush Patel, SMK Global, New Jersey

‘This experience confirmed that I want to build my career in food safety and quality assurance.’

Morgan, Taylor making continuous improvements to empower employees, build better industries Zachary Morgan, manufacturing engineering

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Hero Caption: Zachary Morgan is a two-time Outstanding Cooperative Education and Internship Program Student of the Year Award recipient

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Computer, electrical engineering students help nVent with product development, testing

goersab — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 14:00:00 +0000

Computer, electrical engineering students help nVent with product development, testinggoersab September 4, 2024

Sailer, Pettit gain experience in high density liquid cooling systems for data centers worldwide

Abbey Goers

Two 91��Ƭ computer and electrical engineering seniors helped develop and test the next generation of technology this summer.

During their controls/electrical engineering internships with nVent, Easton Sailer and Evan Pettit helped teams develop new high density liquid cooling – HDLC – products, supported existing products and interfaced with internal and external teams around the world.

HDLC systems are water cooling units for data center servers. They provide a more efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional air-cooling methods and enable closer component packing and greater computer capacity within the same footprint.

Evan Pettit and Easton Sailer completed their controls/electrical engineering internships with nVent / Pettit and Sailer

A $3.3 billion company with more than 11,000 employees worldwide, nVent offers industry-leading solutions for industrial automation, commercial buildings, power utilities, renewable energy, infrastructure, energy storage applications, and data centers, including HDLC development and support.

Sailer and Pettit’s internships at the Anoka, Minn. facility aligned with Program Director Wei Shi’s main goals for her CEE students, which are “to equip them with skills in solving real-world problems, develop practical abilities in analysis and design, and train them for and help them gain experience in working with industries before they even graduate.”

Experiences in product development and troubleshooting

Sailer, of Pound, Wis., took the spring semester off from school to start a seven-month internship last January.

“Water cooling units for data center servers are a relatively new concept in the field. While I was offered opportunities with other companies, I found this to be the most interesting because it reminded me of water-cooled gaming PCs but on a larger scale,” he said.

He explained CEE as the intersection of electrical engineering and computer science, interacting with both software programs and physical hardware devices.

“Another fun way I like to describe CEE is ‘tricking rocks to think for us’ because at the end of the day, that’s all it is,” Sailer said. “We create hardware devices out of materials found on earth like silicon, gold and copper and run software using digital logic to do tasks that humans find boring or repetitive.”

Pettit, of Rosemount, Minn., joined the nVent team in May, shadowing Sailer, who served as his mentor. They collaborated on projects daily.

While communicating with other teams, their responsibilities included creating plans; developing automated test scripts using Bash, a Linux software scripting language; collecting and analyzing data; and troubleshooting machines in the lab.

Various electrical tools they used were multimeters, a differential DC power supply and digital oscilloscopes to measure voltage and current of HDLC systems during troubleshooting or research and development, as well as physical tools, such as wire cutters, crimpers and strippers.

They had calls with customers and suppliers to perform root cause analyses, plan necessary tests and address their HDLC issues, including tuning the PID – proportional, integral and derivative – parameters of a motor to keep it running at a constant speed while its load varies due to its environment, Sailer explained.

“With the experience gained at nVent, I have a new perspective on the concepts that I’m learning at Stout,” Sailer said. “I had a great time working with Evan. It was really fun working with someone who is from the same school as you, and I was surprised how many people at nVent went to Stout.”

Pettit was initially intimidated by the idea of his internship, but he felt encouraged during his interview with a senior engineer at nVent, and he was excited to gain experience in product development, something he had never expected to do in his first internship.

“I quickly acclimated to the environment because of the support I received from Easton and other team members,” he said.

Career Services Director Bryan Barts said nVent provides 91��Ƭ students with a continuous source of opportunities for connections locally, regionally and internationally.

“In the past 10 years, we have experienced 60 students working at nVent,” Barts said. “As a company that is truly focused on sustainability, they have been able to attract and engage with several 91��Ƭ programs, including engineering, management and industrial technology across their company and brands.”

Engineering R&D projects hum as students present prototypes to industry sponsors

It was the moment of truth for a team of 91��Ƭ engineering majors, as peers, professors and industry representatives gathered around.

For example, nVent sponsored a project in 2023-24 in 91��Ƭ’s Senior Design Experience capstone course for engineering majors.

This summer, 510 91��Ƭ students, including 28 CEE students, were enrolled in Career Services’ Cooperative Education and Internship Program in 24 states.

An interest in electronics and embedded systems

Sailer has always had an insatiable desire to understand how things work and thought he would be a mechanical engineer. But that idea changed when he was 14, when he bought a used four-wheeler to fix and resell.

“I soon realized that beyond mechanical work, it also needed a bunch of electrical work. Although I knew nothing about electrical systems at the time, I taught myself by watching YouTube videos. After almost a year, I was successful in fixing and selling the four-wheeler for a profit. This experience made me far more interested in electrical engineering, and it was pivotal in my decision to be a CEE major,” he said.

Pettit was about the same age when he discovered his interest in electronics. He built his first computer in middle school and studied computer science and hardware in high school.

“By junior year, I was certain that I wanted to pursue a career in the field of information technology but was uncertain whether to concentrate on computer science or computer engineering. My final decision to study computer engineering was encouraged by the economic and career incentives, as computer engineers are currently in higher demand,” said Pettit, who will graduate in May 2025.

Sailer was very hesitant to take a semester off school for his internship, “but I am super glad that I did. The experience gained was well worth my time, and this job helped me to better understand what I would like to do with my career after college,” he said.

Sailer will graduate in December 2025 and would like to work for the defense industry in embedded systems engineering, which often includes developing software to facilitate secure communication between aircraft, ground control stations and other military assets.

Career Services’ First Destination Report stated that 100% of recent CEE graduates are employed or continuing education and have an average starting salary of $71,000.

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Use of Amiga robot seeks to ease automation for specialty crop farmers in Wisconsin

Sailer, Pettit gain experience in high density liquid cooling systems for data centers worldwide CEE students Evan Pettit and Easton Sailer at nVent

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National award for co-op, internship program underscores student career success

polingj — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 16:07:32 +0000

National award for co-op, internship program underscores student career success polingj August 27, 2024

Experience that builds confidence and skills and often leads to a full-time job is recognized by higher education association

For a college student, a job that pays nearly $20 an hour, provides academic credit, is in their career field and could lead to a full-time job sounds too good to be true.

But it is true at 91��Ƭ. The Cooperative Education and Internship Program is so successful that it has received the annual Excellence & Innovation Stewards of Place award from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities “for its outstanding results and potential to influence and serve as a model for other institutions.”

Cooperative Education & Internship Program

Embark on 40+ years of unmatched experiential learning with leading employers.

“As Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, 91��Ƭ is uniquely dedicated to preparing students for success in their careers and communities. Our Cooperative Education and Internship Program is a fundamental element of our students’ learning, and we are honored to receive AASCU’s national recognition for this outstanding program,” said Chancellor Katherine Frank.

A 91��Ƭ student visits with recruiters from Market & Johnson construction company of Eau Claire during the 2024 spring Career Conference. / 91��Ƭ

“Through the CEIP and other workforce initiatives, Stout graduates are not only employed within six months of graduation at an unmatched rate, but their impact is also real on day one,” she added.

91��Ƭ will receive the award in November at AASCU’s annual conference to be held in Puerto Rico. AASCU is based in Washington, D.C.

CEIP, which has a long record of success, perfectly aligns with the three tenets of 91��Ƭ’s polytechnic education — applied learning, business and industry collaboration and career-focused experiences.

Managed by Career Services, CEIP plays a major role in 91��Ƭ’s employment rate of 99% among recent graduates with an average starting salary of $58,000, both the best among regional universities in west-central Wisconsin.

Polytechnic advantage: Graduates see average starting salary rise to $58,000

In pure dollars and cents, the value of a degree from 91��Ƭ has never been greater.

More than 1,000 91��Ƭ students — typically juniors and seniors — take part in CEIP annually while earning an average of $19.74 an hour, academic credits and making potential future job connections.

In fact, more than a third — 35% — of students who have co-ops eventually receive and accept full-time job offers from their co-op employer. The program is supported by 750 employers.

Between 88% and 96% of students report that a co-op experience improved their leadership skills, self-awareness, ability to navigate workplace expectations and gain a competitive edge over their peers.

Also, in a national career readiness survey, 91��Ƭ students rated their experience above their peers’ in eight key categories, such as critical thinking, technology, teamwork, communication and professionalism.

Recent 91��Ƭ engineering graduate Julia Hellquist was hired by General Motors after having four co-op experiences with the Fortune 500 company. / Contributed photo

Key aspects of CEIP’s success include the biannual Career Conferences, held spring and fall, some of the largest in the Upper Midwest with more than 300 employers on campus to hire for co-ops and full-time positions.

The AASCU award is the third recent national honor for CEIP. In the spring, mechanical engineering graduate Julia Hellquist received the 2024 national Cooperative Education and Internship Association student of the year honor. Hellquist had four co-ops with General Motors and was hired full time as an engineer after graduating in December 2023. A 91��Ƭ student also won the national co-op award in 2019.

General Motors was one of 56 Fortune 500 companies that hired 91��Ƭ graduates from 2022-23.

Career Services works closely with employers, academic departments and faculty mentors to ensure a “personalized and impactful work experience,” said Bethany Henthorn, CEIP manager.

“When students land their positions, they are often uncertain about their abilities. Upon completion of their work experience, I see students confident in their abilities along with a record of success in the workplace that will springboard them into their first professional position,” Henthorn said.

More than 27,000 91��Ƭ students have benefited from the program since its inception in 1982.

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Miron Construction projects give construction students professional experience

Construction management majors get up-close experience on multimillion-dollar Heritage Hall, Recreation Complex upgrades

Xcel Energy Cedar Falls Hydro project supports construction students’ industry experiences

Collaboration encourages students to consider impacts of infrastructure on greater community

Internships with Yankees, PGA Tour, Vikings, Brewers and beyond give 91��Ƭ students big-league skills

Students get professional experience working with sports professionals

For a college student, a job that pays nearly $20 an hour, provides academic credit and could lead to a full-time job sounds too good to be true. Spring career conf 2024

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Greenheck Group recognized as Career Service’s Employer of the Year

Greenheck Group has a dynamic collaborative relationship with 91��Ƭ.

Bethany Henthorn

Brief Biography

Dedicated career services professional who is passionate about aiding students and employers in meeting their career related needs. I currently serve as the Career Counselor for the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. I also oversee a large Cooperative Education program with 1000+ students, 70+ faculty, and 600+ employers annually. Cooperative Education at 91��Ƭ is an outstanding example of a high impact practice (HIP) in Higher Education. I have worn many hats in my career—Teacher, Advisor, Counselor, Labor Market Specialist, and Cooperative Education Coordinator. I have the ability to help students discover their career path and enjoy working with them until it has become their reality. To be successful, I strive to develop trust with all stakeholders; deliver exceptional customer service; believe in strong partnerships; work in collaboration; and connect students and employers with great opportunities. I love networking. Reach out to me if you would like to discuss career exploration, career planning, cooperative education, or employer partnerships.

Professional Interests: career counseling, cooperative education, program management, resumes, interviewing, job searching, employer relations, networking, professionalism and labor market information

Roles/Responsibilities: Career Counselor for students and alumni of the College of Science Technology and Mathematics Oversee Cooperative Education program for all students

Full Name: Mrs. Bethany Henthorn

Job Title: Cooperative Education and Internship Program Manager

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Department: Career Services

Education:

Degree: MS Guidance and Counseling

University: 91��Ƭ

Location: Menomonie, WI, United States, 2006

Degree: BS Family and Consumer Sciences

University: 91��Ƭ

Location: Menomonie, WI, United States, 2002

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General Motors internships lead mechanical engineering student to job, national award

polingj — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 16:43:36 +0000

General Motors internships lead mechanical engineering student to job, national awardpolingj June 5, 2024

Hellquist, mechanical engineering major, recognized for her skills, saving company hundreds of thousands of dollars

Julia Hellquist wasn’t sure at first if higher education was the right choice for her. No one in her family previously had gone to college.

However, as someone who liked to “fix things,” when she heard about 91��Ƭ’s lab-based, applied learning focus she knew it was the right fit. She graduated in December 2023 with a degree in mechanical engineering and a job as an engineer with one of the biggest and best-known companies in the U.S., General Motors.

This past spring, the Ham Lake, Minn., native put a post-graduation exclamation point on her 91��Ƭ experience by winning the Student Achievement Award from the national Cooperative Education and Internship Association. The honor, the second time in six years a 91��Ƭ student has won, was based on Hellquist’s four “exceptional” co-op experiences with GM.

Mechanical engineering major Julia Hellquist, right, had four internships with General Motors before graduating and beginning a full-time job with the company as an engineer. / Contributed photo

Hellquist was recognized over tens of thousands of students across the country. More than 1,000 a year take part alone in 91��Ƭ’s co-op and internship program, in which they were paid an average of nearly $20 an hour while receiving academic credit.

Her GM team recommended her for the award, in part because her work as a student saved the company hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“Julia Hellquist is an exceptional student and engineer. She has proven to be a self-starter, quick learner and someone that demonstrates great engineering problem solving skills. Her creativity, leadership skills and her exceptional communication skills have enabled the success of all her projects,” the team said.

Julia Hellquist was named the national co-op student of the year this past spring. Attending the award ceremony were Career Services’ Bryan Barts and Bethany Henthorn. / 91��Ƭ

Her first GM co-ops were in person, from June to September 2021 in Spring Hill., Tenn., and May to August 2022 in Warren, Mich. Her achievements included:

Interior compartment manufacturing engineer for the 2024 luxury Cadillac Celestiq
Led error proofing and design changes of a vehicle component
Completed statics and tolerance testing on vehicles through Siemens software
Updated documentation to ensure accurate assembly processes
Collaborated with outside vendors and manufacturers to cut the cost of an assembly item to one-third of its original price, leading to a predicted savings of over $70,000 a year.

Those co-ops were followed by remote co-ops in summer and fall 2023 that involved three major projects:

Underwent training to become a PFMEA — process, failure, mode, effects, analysis — engineer and led the development of a new process that improved quality and productivity
Worked with the Vehicle Systems Financial Team, studied the GM purchasing system and helped streamline processes regarding projects’ financial status, saving the company several hundred thousand dollars
Underwent training in evaluation of continuous improvement software that led to additional efficiencies and savings for the company as part of the Operational Excellence project.

In the software project, Hellquist “showed extensive growth in her leadership skills and critical thinking skills. Julia exceeded all expectations by leading the team through this difficult Operational Excellence project while completing other projects,” the team said.

“We leverage our student programs to support talent development where they are responsible for collaborating to find solutions to immediate and future challenges. These assignments allow them to apply their knowledge and experiences previously gained to real world programs and projects that impact our workforce and customers.”

Julia Hellquist graduated in December 2023 and met after the ceremony with one of her engineering professors, Brenda Puck. / Contributed photo

GM was one of 56 Fortune 500 companies that hired 91��Ƭ graduates from 2022-23.

Hellquist’s success at GM reflected her success at 91��Ƭ.

“On top of learning the intricacies of mathematical concepts surrounding engineering design and application, I was also able to learn welding, machining, and work on projects during each class that aided me in remembering the course content,” she said.

Hellquist felt prepared for any type of challenge when she graduated in December.

“The campus community is very supportive, and it contains the perfect environment for students to learn face to face with professors,” she said. “It is nice getting to know them and your peers in a smaller class setting.”

91��Ƭ’s Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering also has programs in manufacturing, plastics, and computer and electrical engineering, as well as engineering technology. A master’s in manufacturing engineering is available on campus or online.

Cooperative Education & Internship Program

Embark on 40+ years of unmatched experiential learning with leading employers.

More than 700 employers support 91��Ƭ program

More than 700 employers support the co-op program at 91��Ƭ.

Career Services works closely with academic departments and faculty mentors to ensure a “personalized and impactful work experience,” said Bethany Henthorn, co-op and internship program manager in Career Services.

Henthorn and Career Services Director Bryan Barts attended Hellquist’s award presentation.

More than 27,000 91��Ƭ students have benefited from the program since its inception 40-plus years ago.

###

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Capstone projects demonstrate mechanical, manufacturing know-how, leadership skills

Inspiring Graduate: Thomas Shamla, B.S. Mechanical Engineering

Hired before graduation at Absolut Manufacturing

Julia Hellquist wasn’t sure at first if higher education was the right choice for her. No one in her family previously had gone to college. Julia Hellquist award 1

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Marketing, business education student brings knowledge from classroom to bike shop and back

goersab — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 15:27:56 +0000

Marketing, business education student brings knowledge from classroom to bike shop and backgoersab September 6, 2023

Mikayla Obsuszt’s internship at the Hostel Shoppe shows her everyone is ‘capable of doing amazing things’

Abbey Goers

Becoming a teacher has always been Mikayla Obsuszt’s career goal. Her parents are teachers, and her first job in high school was at a child care facility, where she learned she loved to help others and wanted a classroom to call her own.

With an interest in marketing, Obsuszt chose the marketing and business education program at 91��Ƭ and recently completed a summer internship, where she gained marketing experience and grew as a future educator.

At the Hostel Shoppe, a cycling store in Stevens Point, she felt the same fulfillment that she finds in teaching, helping people of all ages and abilities experience the joy and freedom of cycling.

MBE student Mikayla Obsuszt at the Hostel Shoppe / Mikayla Obsuszt

“The greatest lesson my internship taught me is that no matter who you are, every individual is capable of doing amazing things with the right support. From a bike store to the classroom, this lesson is important for everyone,” said Obsuszt, of Wisconsin Rapids. “Every task that I completed was done with the idea of helping others. I had a very surface-level understanding of the cycling industry prior to this role, but at the Hostel Shoppe, it is about more than cycling.”

The classroom management and technical skills, as well as networking opportunities she gained in her marketing and business education classes and conferences, helped prepare her for the internship.

“Completing this internship has not only allowed me to develop my marketing skill set but has encouraged me to enhance my soft skills as well,” she said. “Having real industry experience that you can transfer to the classroom is extremely important when becoming a marketing and business educator. With experience, you are able to give real-world examples to your students.”

Making learning relevant for her students

The Hostel Shoppe hosts a series of events each summer. As a marketing intern, Obsuszt promoted the events through press releases, social media posts and email campaigns. She also organized registration information and added product to the website.

While taking photos at the Adaptive Cycling Clinic, she was approached by an individual who was interested in finding a recumbent trike to fit his needs.

“My instincts kicked in, and I started to show him different options. Not only did I learn a lot in this moment about sales, but I also learned how amazing it is to see a smile on someone’s face as they gain back a sense of independence,” she said.

“I feel that Mikayla has a very patient, understanding, empathetic and encouraging temperament, which is necessary for being a good teacher,” said Jessie Bostic, marketing manager at the Hostel Shoppe.

A bike information session at the Hostel Shoppe / Mikayla Obsuszt

Obsuszt believes that her experiences at 91��Ƭ and in her internship have prepared her for her own classroom. “I now have a personal inventory of situations and examples that relate to marketing and business to share with my students. They have helped me to appreciate and love the role of a teacher,” she said.

Professor Debbie Stanislawski, MBE program director, agreed.

“Mikayla gained valuable firsthand experience with digital marketing techniques that will provide her with examples to make learning relevant for her future middle and high school students. We encourage all future marketing and business teachers to leverage their summer employment to prepare for developing industry relevant curriculum,” Stanislawski said.

Obsuszt thinks that the more opportunities she has to experience what it's like to be a teacher and the more experiences she can have working in other industries, the more she will solidify her passion for teaching.

“This appreciation will help me enjoy my time in my own classroom and help me see every situation that arises as a blessing,” she said.

Obsuszt will student-teach in fall 2024 and will graduate that December.

91��Ƭ’s Career Services Cooperative Education and Internship Program and biannual Career Conference Week connect students and employers.

The School of Education offers nine undergraduate and five graduate degrees, as well as eight certificates and certifications, many of which have an online option.

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Mikayla Obsuszt’s internship at the Hostel Shoppe shows her everyone is ‘capable of doing amazing things’ MBE student Mikayla Obsuszt at the Hostel Shoppe

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Debbie Stanislawski

Debbie Stanislawski is 91��Ƭ's Program Director for Marketing and Business Education (MBE). In this role, she provides academic advising to all students in the MBE major, leads curriculum development and implementation, and teaches courses on assessment, curriculum design, and instruction. Debbie also oversees clinical experiences for aspiring educators. Additionally, she teaches leadership courses within the doctoral program and mentors graduate students in career and technical education, guiding them through their thesis and dissertation work. Before joining 91��Ƭ, Debbie gained valuable experience teaching middle and high school business in Wisconsin and Illinois. Her time in the PK-12 education system ignited her passion for preparing future educators. Debbie's research interests include instructional technology, particularly in exploring how educators at 91��Ƭ integrate generative AI into their coursework. She is also deeply involved in research focused on the comprehensive preparation of future teachers for their roles in career and technical education. In her free time, Debbie enjoys kayaking, hiking, training hunting dogs, and traveling.

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Construction major interning at Hoffmanon on project at former high school

polingj — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 20:10:19 +0000

Construction major interning at Hoffmanon on project at former high schoolpolingj August 16, 2023

Student, led by alum McGregor, helping Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction manage $600K renovation at Iola-Scandinavia

After just one year of college, 91��Ƭ construction major Isaiah Hoyord could have been a bit intimidated when he walked onto the job this summer for his first professional internship.

Instead, Hoyord felt right at home. In a bit of serendipity, he was back in his hometown, Iola in central Wisconsin, at the high school where he graduated in 2022, Iola-Scandinavia, and in his old technical education classroom.

As an intern with Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction, he has been helping manage progress of a nearly $600,000 renovation of the school’s technical education center. “I spent countless hours growing up in that shop. It’s special to do something to make it better. It definitely needed an upgrade, and it’s a big step for the school,” Hoyord said.

91��Ƭ construction major Isaiah Hoyord is interning this summer on a building project at his former high school, Iola-Scandinavia. / Contributed photo

The internship just fell into place. He attended a 91��Ƭ Career Conference last fall and met Hoffman recruiter and Senior Project Manager Matt McGregor, an alum of 91��Ƭ’s construction program. McGregor was impressed with Hoyord, who had done residential carpentry as a high school student.

Hoffman had an opening, and the project at I-S High School happened to be coming up. “It’s a full circle experience with the fact Isaiah lived and breathed tech ed in high school. It’s really kind of cool,” McGregor said.

“With his organization skills, ability to present himself and communicate right off the bat, I could see a young professional who can do some really good things with the team,” McGregor added.

Matt McGregor is a 91��Ƭ alum and senior project manager for Hoffman. / Contributed photo

Hoyord actually is working on two projects. The other is a $25.7 million multiphase project consisting of additions and renovations at the Tomorrow River School District K-12 building in Amherst, about 15 minutes away. Hoyord starts his day at I-S High School — he grew up less than a mile away — then drives to Amherst for about four hours. He finishes the day on the Iola project.

His duties include working with subcontractors to make sure the projects remain on track and troubleshooting throughout the day. For example, at I-S High School, the new floor plan to move welding booths hit a snag when they realized the new location ran into a water line. Hoyord in collaboration with the contractors was able to come up with a cost-effective, responsible solution for the district to keep the project moving in the right direction.

Hoyord has been using skills he’s already learned at 91��Ƭ, such as a class in construction plan reading, but he said “some things you just can’t learn through a book. One is problem-solving. You have to be on site and have to come up with a solution.”

Hoyord’s position is a co-op experience, meaning he is paid and receives academic credit through 91��Ƭ’s Cooperative Education and Internship Program, which has more than 1,100 annual participants.

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The construction program at 91��Ƭ has a 100% employment rate among graduates with an average starting salary of $61,000, according to the university’s 2023 First Destination report.

Seeing familiar faces

Another of Hoyord’s duties is providing construction updates to school officials and the school boards. He has attended one I-S school board meeting with another scheduled.

“The first week (in June), I was going through the summer plan with the staff. They all recognized me and asked what I was doing there. The shop teacher (Dave Jueds), the principal, maintenance guys and superintendent — I’m staying in contact with them throughout the project,” Hoyord said.

Hoyord, right, talks with Mike McGregor, a field project manager for Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction. / Contributed photo

“I’m fortunate enough to get the internship and get my foot in the door and develop an understanding of what my career path is going to be,” he added. “I’ve learned a lot so far in the field, and the team is a good one to work with. They’re always trying to help me learn more and soak in as much as I can.”

McGregor is familiar with Hoyord’s path. McGregor, who grew up in the Redgranite area and went to Berlin High School, graduated from 91��Ƭ’s construction program in 2009. He had a sophomore internship, also with Hoffman, which has been in business for more than 130 years.

“Hoffman’s relationship with Stout’s internship program has been going on for a very long time,” McGregor said.

In addition to attending Career Conferences at 91��Ƭ to help recruit for Hoffman, McGregor is serving on the construction program’s advisory committee.

Another alum, Jason Diem from 91��Ƭ’s master’s program in construction management, also is a senior project manager at Hoffman.

“We strive to work as a unified group,” McGregor said. “Isaiah has fed into that well over the summer in being able to problem-solve and come up with creative solutions to benefit the team and clients as well. He has great potential,” McGregor said.

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Hero Caption: Isaiah Hoyord, right, and Matt McGregor, third from right, help break ground on the Tomorrow River School District project, near the Iola-Scandinavia project. / Contributed photo

Kevin Wilkinson

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