Success Stories

Molly McElhaney

Molly McElhaney will graduate from Indiana Tech in May 2025 with a communication degree concentrating on sports media, but she is already knocking out of the park with the Cincinnati Reds.

Molly is a sales consultant with the Major League Baseball team, a role she has held since December 2023. Yes, that’s right. She has had a full-time role with the Reds since her sophomore year at Indiana Tech.

In 2023, Molly earned an internship in promotional events with the Reds where she helped coordinate pregame ceremonies, production of between-innings corporate sponsorships games, the annual Redsfest, a concert series featuring Lady A and many other events. When the 2023 season ended, she was invited to intern during the off-season for the Cincinnati Reds Community Fund, where she managed the MLB Fun at Bat program—a program that makes baseball accessible for underprivileged schools.

Impressed with her talents and professional growth, the Reds hired her for her current position, where she specializes in group sales, membership sales and premium game-day experiences. She enjoys this role because she is “constantly building rapport and relationships with current and potential clients, face to face as well as over the phone.”

Despite her initiative to wear the many different hats at the Cincinnati Reds, Molly said her education at Indiana Tech is what ultimately allowed her to be so successful in her career.

“The program emphasized effective communication, both written and verbal, which has been crucial in my current role. It also emphasized the importance of networking and building professional relationships,” Molly said. “Overall, my education at Indiana Tech provided me with a comprehensive skill set that has been directly applicable to my various roles within the Cincinnati Reds organization.”

Even though Molly was only physically at Indiana Tech for a short time before transitioning to being an online student, she emphasized how valuable and supportive the people have been to help her pursue her dreams.

“The amount of growth and success I’ve experienced during my years at Indiana Tech is truly special,” she said. “We truly are blessed here at Indiana Tech. I am so thankful for all of the faculty always in my corner, championing me to keep growing both personally and professionally.”

Kylie Baron

Shortly after arriving at Indiana Tech, Kylie recognized she struggled with anxiety when preparing for and taking tests. She sought out help from the university’s Office of Student Success and acquired skills to overcome her anxiety.

“I learned early on that asking questions and asking for help are strengths—ones that have taught me how to solve problems in and out of school,” Kylie said.

From there, Kylie created opportunities for herself by forming strong bonds with her professors and seeking out impactful internship opportunities. When she graduated in May 2024, she had a position with a well-known public utility company in Indiana and an important win under her belt—her project team won Indiana Tech’s Innovation Challenge, a competition that pits student entrepreneurs against each other for funding that will help turn those innovative ideas into viable business opportunities (learn more about the Innovation Challenge).

“For me, attending a small institution was a good thing,” Kylie said, as she reflected on her college career. “Having professors that know you personally will help you grow in more ways than you think. Tech’s amazing academic buildings and campus resources will help you succeed. Do not be afraid to take advantage of the opportunities and resources that are provided. They will only benefit you!”

Sydneya Seals

Sidneya’s experience in Indiana Tech’s health science degree program helped her identify a career path and gave her the confidence to pursue it.

Originally, Sydneya wanted to go into medical imaging, but as time went on, her focus shifted to nursing.

“The health science program really helped me determine what career I wanted to pursue and gave me a base for health care. I completed all my nursing prerequisites at Indiana Tech and graduated summa cum laude—a semester early—in December of 2022. I am now enrolled in an accelerated nursing program and plan to graduate in December of 2024.

Sydneya added, “During my time at Indiana Tech, I had a great support system of Dr. Anne Gull, the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Dr. Sharon Drapala, the director of the health science program, that really helped me navigate my major. Without Indiana Tech and all my professors, I wouldn’t be pursuing nursing and I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Michael Warner

Indiana Tech’s sport management degree program is becoming a pipeline to top-level sports teams in all leagues.

In recent years, sport management graduates have ascended to positions with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, MLS’ FC Cincinnati, MLB’s Baltimore Orioles and the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers.

Michael Warner is the latest Warrior graduate to get the call to the big leagues. The 2023 graduate and Louisville, Kentucky-native was hired by the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks in June as a membership associate.

“I work in the Hawks’ inside sales ticket department to make sure season ticket holders and businesses in the Atlanta area receive the best game-day experiences possible. Things are going great—I am learning and growing as a business professional at the highest level with the best reps in the NBA,” Warner said.

While at Indiana Tech, Warner said he learned how to maximize his time and gained a good understanding of the different jobs available to him in the sports industry. Interning with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the city’s former G-League basketball team, helped immensely. In addition, he received plenty of guidance from connections he made with alumni and current professionals affiliated with Tech.

“I’m very excited and proud of Michael for getting this chance to prove himself with the Atlanta Hawks. He has worked very hard to get this opportunity and I know he will make the most of it,” said Professor Craig Dyer, chair of Indiana Tech’s sport management program. “His college career is a perfect example for how one should approach their college career. He always asked really good questions and he was dedicated to gaining valuable work experience. If you want to be successful in the sport industry, you need work experience along with the degree. Michael not only realized this, but he took advantage of all the opportunities that were available to him.”

Savannah Emaus

Savannah is well on her way to earning a doctorate in physical therapy, thanks to the exercise science education she received at Indiana Tech. She cited out-of-classroom learning opportunities at regional health facilities and hands-on lab work as experiences that prepared her for her next level of education.

“Indiana Tech offered me more than most universities can—a place that I was able to feel seen, understood and nurtured. My professors made it their personal mission to see me and my fellow classmates succeed beyond our goals.”

Savannah will earn her DPT in May 2026, after which she plans to go into neurological rehabilitation to work with brain injury patients.

Arnez Williams

Arnez is a fingerprint classifier in the Indiana State Police Laboratory—a position she began shortly after graduating in May 2022. In this role, Arnez collects, organizes and evaluates fingerprint data submitted by state, local and national law enforcement agencies to develop conclusions about identity and arrest records. Her work has been helpful in criminal investigations, hiring processes and even background checks for firearms sales.

Arnez says her experience at Indiana Tech made her ready to enter the workforce.

“During my time in the forensic science program, I learned relevant lab techniques and procedures andpicked up necessary professional skills that preparedme for this position,” she said. “The faculty at Indiana Tech makes you feel heard and safe and they are always there when you need them. I appreciate them and everything Tech has done for me.”

Tanyaradzwa Chiwara

Tanya took advantage of the resources and opportunities offered by Indiana Tech tobecome an energy engineering and sustainability technician with the City of Fort Wayne, right after graduation.

“Thanks to the Career Center, which helped me with my resume, and my NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) family and other campus supervisors, who gave me additional direction, I have gone from an intern to a full-time employee,” Tanya said.

Tanya also attributed her career preparedness to hands-on engineering curriculum that taught her how to solve problems and supportive faculty who showed her what careers were available to her and what it would take to pursue one.

“Due to all of this, I was able to graduate not only with academic honors, but as a well-rounded engineer,” Tanya said. “Thank you to Indiana Tech and everyone in the Zollner Engineering Center!”

Cassandra Crickard

Cassandra is the director of human resources and executive assistant to the CEO of Clean Fuels National, a Keystone, Indiana-based company that helps companies solve their fuel quality issues.

Although she cites her internships as critical experiences that helped prepare her for her career, Cassandra feels Indiana Tech’s small campus size was the biggest factor in helping her learn.

“I loved how intimate Indiana Tech was and that was one of the huge advantages that I always felt I had. I truly felt I could go to any of my professors and ask them real-life questions about what we were learning and why we had to learn it, or get help with material I didn’t understand,” Cassandra said. “I also felt like my professors worked hard to think outside of the box and apply real-life scenarios to a lot of my classes.”

Nina Penny

Biology major Nina Penny earned an outstanding internship opportunity for the summer of 2023. Nina is participating in Northwestern University CURE, a prestigious cancer-focused undergraduate research experience at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chicago.

Penny, who was one of 12 students selected from a field of over 1,000, is spending eight weeks working alongside top cancer researchers in state-of-the-art laboratories and helping advance novel research projects in cell and molecular biology, cancer immunology and other focus areas.

“I am very honored to receive this opportunity. It gives me the chance to apply the skills I have learned throughout these past three years to cancer research,” said the Chicago native, who will graduate in 2024. “My experience at Indiana Tech has greatly prepared me for this opportunity; the countless labs and phenomenal professors have trained me to not only work well in a group of researchers, but to also think independently to solve research questions.”

While in the program, Nina will be working in the lab of Dr. Karla Satchell, who leads the Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases at Northwestern University’s Feinberg Medical School. Dr. Satchell’s lab focuses on diseases caused by Vibrio bacteria and the cell biology applications of bacterial toxins. Nina will work with a group of postdoctoral students to document the effects of a the pathogen on infected mice.

“I want to gain more skills involving research so I can further prepare for a career in veterinary medicine, especially since I am not quite sure what field of veterinary medicine I want to pursue,” Nina said. “Additionally, this program provides me the chance to grow as a woman in science in a lab that is dedicated to improving society through infectious disease and cancer research.”

After graduating, Nina plans on attending veterinary school. She is also interested in medical research, surgery and emergency medicine.

“Nina’s success in obtaining this incredible opportunity is a testament to her focused determination,” said Dr. Julie Good, director of Indiana Tech’s biology program. “Her work at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine this summer will open doors not only into the research of Dr. Karla Satchell but also into the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and the School of Medicine. I am thrilled for all that she will bring back to Tech in the fall!”

Danielle Blagojevic

Dani took advantage of every opportunity to pursue experiential learning and did so with honors at Indiana Tech. She interned with Indiana Tech’s athletics department, the Sandusky Bay Ice Haulers, Input Fort Wayne, Indiana Tech Institutional Advancement and WBOI Northeast Indiana Public Radio.

But what she really enjoyed was working with her professors who work in the industry.

“My professors were all extremely qualified and brought ‘real-world’ experiences to their coursework,” she said. “I had professors who were head of their college newspapers, head weathermen specialists, news anchors, sports journalists, etc. The program helped me get to where I am today by forcing me into real-world scenarios that both interested me and built my resume.”

Dani currently works as assistant athletic director of communications at the University of Saint Francis and said that her experiences in the program shaped who she is today.

“I am only qualified to do my job because of my experiences at Indiana Tech and my undergraduate programs” she said. “I use every ‘focus’ of my undergrad in my job today and my experiences within the athletic department at Tech. Tech 110 percent qualified me for my role and will continue to be my foundation at whatever I decide to pursue next. I owe a lot to my professors and supervisors as they prepared me for life after college and the real world.”

Sadie Leatherman

Sadie Leatherman graduated from Kouts (Indiana) High School in 2018 as a straight-A student and a decorated athlete. In fact, her grades and prowess as a softball player earned her a scholarship to attend Hesston College in Hesston, Kansas. Her early college goals were to major in biology and become an optometrist. But like so many other first-year college students have done since the beginning of time, Sadie changed course.

“Halfway through my first year at Hesston, I gained an interest in engineering and I started taking some pre-engineering courses. Then, I discovered biomedical engineering and decided it was exactly what I wanted to do. Hesston did not have a BME program, so I started searching for BME programs back in Indiana. I discovered Indiana Tech, went on a visit and fell in love with the campus and the community. I knew it was the right place for me.”

Since her arrival to Indiana Tech, her decision to become a Warrior has been affirmed in multiple ways.

She has received impactful, hands-on biomedical engineering education:

“Our program is project-based. We complete two realistic medical device projects in the program. During junior year, we work with a group, and as seniors, we work individually. We have a fully functional cadaver lab where we are taught how to use surgical instrumentation and practice orthopedic procedures. Our lab is also stocked with real orthopedic implants and instruments, so we are able to hold them in our hands, understand different features of the devices and apply design concepts to our own projects. We have three 3D printers that are reserved exclusively for BME students. In fact, I’ve used them to print prototypes of the components I’m using in my senior project. Being able to 3D print for rapid prototyping has been super valuable to my learning experience. It’s given me the ability to hold a model that I designed in my hands within a matter of hours. In addition, Dr. (Jack) Phlipot, the director of our program, has worked in the medical device industry for a majority of his career, so he has the insight and the connections to make sure we have everything we need to be successful in our projects.”

Her project work within the program is meaningful:

“For my senior project, I am designing a total hip arthroplasty system (or total hip replacement). There are four basic components to a total hip system, which are a femoral stem, femoral head, acetabular liner and an acetabular shell. I have created my own designs of these components as well as instrumentation for the surgery. I chose to do a total hip replacement for my senior project because I find total joint replacements fascinating. I have family members with hip replacements, and I’ve seen the improvement in their quality of life after getting the surgery. I wanted to learn how to create those types of devices for my senior project in hopes that I would one day be able to directly apply the knowledge and skills gained from my senior project to real-life medical device projects in the industry.”

An impressive internship has given her valuable on-the-job experience:

“I found an internship my senior year through a connection with an Indiana Tech graduate at WishBone Medical in Warsaw, Indiana. She also completed the BME program and knew the value of the education we receive here at Tech. I fully believe that talking about the projects I’ve worked on at Tech gave me the edge I needed to get hired.

She already has a job waiting for her after she graduates in December:

“I accepted a position as a development engineer at ZimmerBiomet in Warsaw, Indiana, and I’m super excited to start in January. I will be working in the Patient-Matched Implants (PMI) department and joining a smaller team of engineers who work directly with surgeons to develop custom, patient-specific implants. I didn’t apply directly for this position, but the engineering manager found my resume in ZimmerBiomet’s system from a different job I had applied for and reached out to me.”

Once Sadie has had an opportunity to settle into her job and gain a better understanding of her long-term career goals, she will begin pursuit of a master’s degree at Purdue University.

“I thank God for the experiences I’ve had in college and the opportunities I’ve been given. I’ve been truly blessed, and all the glory goes to Him,” Sadie said. “I’m very excited for what’s to come and eager to continue learning. In my future career, I hope to use all that I’ve learned to impact people’s lives for the better.

Gicell Aleman

Indiana Tech takes pride in pairing students with real-world learning opportunities that will put them in advantageous positions when it’s time to enter the job market. The beginning of Gicell Aleman’s professional career is a perfect example of what good can happen when one takes advantage of such opportunities.

While she was a student, Gicell was active in several student organizations at Indiana Tech—primarily its chapter of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). In April, four months after graduating from Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, Gicell was hired as a manufacturing engineer by Valmet, a Finnish developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for pulp, paper and energy industries.

“Being involved with different organizations at Indiana Tech allowed me to be better prepared for what it is like in industry,” Gicell said. “It taught me how to talk with different kinds of people and how to put my name out there.”

SME is an association of professionals, educators and students committed to promoting and supporting the manufacturing industry. Gicell joined SME at the urging of engineering professor Dr. Steve Dusseau. After a successful stint as chair of Indiana Tech’s chapter, she was asked by SME to join its Member Council, which leads member engagement activities of SME’s volunteer networks.

“When I started with SME, I never would have predicted that I would be where I am now,” she said. “I have used my voice to help amplify SME on a national standpoint and that has allowed me to grow my network of people and learn to be a better leader.”

Which takes us back to Gicell’s hiring by Valmet.

In November 2021, Gicell was in Michigan at the SME function where she was inducted into the Member Council. Without her knowledge, the council’s chair passed Gicell’s resume and contact information along to his boss at Valmet. An interview was given in, as she said, “a blink of an eye.”

“It was all through talking, networking and letting people get to know me that I was able to receive these opportunities,” she said.

At Valmet, Gicell’s department is responsible for assembling actuators—the components of a machine that are responsible for moving and controlling a mechanism or system. As a manufacturing engineer, she is responsible for troubleshooting and fixing problems on the line or designing solutions that could improve the line’s process. Valmet is also giving her ample opportunity to put her computer engineering skills to use, as well.

“In my department, they use circuit boards for every actuator, so I am able to help with that side if needed. I am also working on a software change in the company, but we are hoping this will be spread to the other facilities worldwide,” she said. “I am getting the chance to learn whatever I find of interest, too. I am learning what a manufacturing engineer does and getting my hands dirty with assembling things on the floor so I can improve.”

Gicell admits transitioning to a new stage of her life was a bit nerve-wracking, but something she is becoming comfortable with.

“I was not ready to move on after graduation—all my friends and I ever knew as students was how to be students,” she said. “Changing into adulthood was a bit scary and thoughts of, ‘am I really ready?,’ started creeping through. But I am here—almost five months into my job—and I love it.”

Victoria Raffle

In spring 2021, Victoria Raffle received the scariest news of her young life. She was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects one’s lymphatic system. Just over 12 months later, during her commencement address to Indiana Tech’s graduating Class of 2022, the Wrexham, Wales, native announced she was cancer-free and embarking on a professional journey of a lifetime.

What a difference a year makes.

Victoria, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration concentrating in human resources and sport management, became tour administrator for the Ladies European Golf Tour (LET), which is based in Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom.

“I got the job during the period when I was ill at home,” said Victoria, who continued to attend school online while she battled her illness. “I connected on LinkedIn and was lucky enough to get an interview from that connection. It took me by surprise when they called and offered me the position.”

Since then, Victoria, a four-year member of Indiana Tech’s women’s golf team, has gotten to organize LET tournaments in various parts of the world including, Australia, Thailand, South Africa and Saudi Arabia.

“I am so incredibly proud of Victoria and her outstanding accomplishments,” said Dr. Jeffrey Walls, professor of business. “In the world of golf, this position as event coordinator is truly a phenomenal dream job with unmatched networking opportunities. I am confident she is doing an outstanding job and making those responsible for hiring her look very, very good.”

Kayla Bivens

Indiana Tech strives to prepare career-ready graduates by pairing students with real-world learning opportunities that will serve them well when it’s time to enter the job market. It proved to be a winning formula for Kayla Bivens, Indiana Tech’s 2022 Outstanding Criminal Justice Student of the Year.

While at Tech, Kayla earned an internship with Allen County Community Corrections (ACCC)—an opportunity she turned into a full-time position with ACCC as an assistant case manager.

“In addition to being taught by accessible, supportive professors, I was able to experience—hands on—what careers are like within the field,” Kayla said. “I participated in scenario training with the Fort Wayne Police Department, toured the Allen County jail, participated in a mock trial and earned the very important internship with ACCC.”

Said professor Dominic Lombardo, lead of Indiana Tech’s criminal justice program, “Kayla’s story is a perfect example of what can be done when you work hard and take advantage of the possibilities that are presented to you. I am very proud of her, and I wish her great success in her career.”

Cherokee Bodell

When Cherokee began pursuit of her degree in biology, she admits that she suffered from imposter syndrome and concerns about being able to stay on pace with her colleagues. But, by drawing strength from her faith and taking advantage of her Indiana Tech experience, the Pataskala, Ohio, native has a bright future in medicine.

In the summer of 2021, Cherokee earned a paid internship in the lab of H. Joseph Yost, Ph.D., vice chair for basic science research the University of Utah, whose laboratory group researches cardiac disease at the intersection between model organism embryology, genetics and the discovery of novel disease-causing mutations.

Her work in Utah was so impactful, she was invited to present her findings to the National Human Genome Research Institute at Duke University in April 2022.

“Her work has staggered my understanding of what an undergraduate research project could be,” said Indiana Tech professor of biology Dr. Julie Good. “She returned from the summer project and completed a second research project on campus. Both opportunities are significant milestones in her young career, and I am very proud of her.”

“Each professor at Indiana Tech has been completely invested in my future—taking time to help me understand material and granting me opportunities to grow professionally,” Cherokee said. “Indiana Tech helped me enter my field with confidence, and if I had it to do all over again, Tech would still be my top choice.”

Israel Vaides

When Israel was researching colleges, he chose Indiana Tech because of its solid sport management program and its connections with Fort Wayne’s successful minor league sports franchises. It was a well-thought-out choice.

Israel was able to intern with the Fort Wayne Komets, one of the oldest hockey teams in the United States. The Komets provided a nurturing environment for him; one where he could pursue his passion for creating inspiring video content and excel at it.

In June 2022, Israel parlayed his expertise into a dream job—as creative videographer/editor with the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League.

“Sports bring millions of people together every day to cry, scream, laugh and yell for their favorite teams and players,” Israel said. “My content helps ignite those feelings in the fans, and when it occurs, the feeling is very rewarding.”

It was no surprise to professor Craig Dyer, lead of Indiana Tech’s sport management program, that Israel was able to land this impressive position.

“We hear about great athletes putting in the time and effort to develop their craft to become better at their chosen sport. Well, that is exactly the approach Israel took in regard to developing his video production skills,” professor Dyer said. “He put in a tremendous amount of time and effort, asked for advice and surrounded himself with knowledgeable people who could help him flourish. Israel sought out and took advantage of every project and opportunity that was presented to him.”

For Israel, Indiana Tech’s student-first culture made making those professional connections easy.

“The professors at Indiana tech have a very personal touch when teaching the curriculum; a personal touch can only be found in universities where professors are more willing to interact with their students and don’t have rooms full of 100-plus students. Indiana Tech’s small class sizes allowed for these types of interactions, which benefited me when I was seeking advice or help.”

Justin Hindman

Justin Hindman is doing meaningful work for a company he loves thanks to his Indiana Tech education.

He is an associate project manager for Erie Insurance Company in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he collaborates with Erie’s digital experience team to create positive customers experiences and interactions on its digital consumer platforms.

“I love working for Erie; I have grown from being an intern with them to now a full-time employee,” said Justin, who also has an MBA from Tech, which he completed in 2021.

“Indiana Tech helped ready me for my career by giving me a rigorous curriculum and real-life experience with the things I do on a daily basis,” he added. “I entered my career with knowledge and a framework of what to expect in the business world and how to apply those concepts. That foundation allows me to be agile in unique situations.”

Alexandra Forsythe

Alexandra Forsythe had an outstanding college career at Indiana Tech—one that prepared her well for outstanding accomplishments to come.

While at Indiana Tech, Alex earned several impressive internships with organizations like NASA, Raytheon, Ultra Electronics-USSI and Intel. Her duties ranged from programming and verification to designing cutting-edge technology, including a mission-critical circuit board that will be used on an upcoming space mission. With each new experience, she was able to add to her skill set, become a more versatile professional, build confidence and prepare for the multi-faceted responsibilities that are needed in the workplace.

“Indiana Tech has done an outstanding job of preparing me for a successful career,” Alex said. “Having professors who have extensive experience working in industry not only taught us how things are done by employers, but it also provided important connections when it came time to search for internships and full-time positions. That knowledge and those connections can make all the difference in the world to a student who is competing for a job.”

Now, Alex has an incredible position in Oregon as a design engineer with Intel, and she is pursuing a master’s in electrical engineering. Long-term, she wants to earn a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, become an engineering fellow and work as an adjunct professor.

Pablo Bono

In 2017, when Pablo was researching U.S. universities from his home in Valencia, Spain, he wanted to find a school with an excellent biomedical engineering program where he could play tennis. He took a chance on Indiana Tech, 4,275 miles away, and found it was the absolute perfect fit—so much so that he earned Outstanding Biomedical Engineering Graduate and Outstanding Overall College of Engineering Graduate honors for 2021.

“The hands-on, project-based and interactive biomedical program prepared me well to be a professional in this industry,” Pablo said.

He cited working with human cadavers during his freshman year and a rigorous Medical Device Design Project course during his junior year as impactful opportunities that helped reinforce everything he was learning during lectures. It laid the foundation for a grueling senior project.

“I was exposed to all phases a medical device project when I developed the Unifying™ Elbow Trauma System by myself,” he said. “I worked tirelessly on this project, and it was personally satisfying to witness its evolution.”

In addition to an intensive, hands-on curriculum, Pablo attributes the university’s committed faculty toward his success as a student.

“Professors are interested in getting to know you very well and helping you; you can rely on them inside and outside the classroom,” he said.

After completing a Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering at Clemson University in May 2022, Pablo will look for a career in the medical device industry with a priority of helping other.

“My motivation is to improve people’s quality of life by developing medical devices that treat medical conditions, reduce pain and facilitate daily activities.”

Alex Shinn

During his senior year at Indiana Tech, Alex and two of his friends created Intel, a strategic spy thriller card game where players track an “Agent” card while leading opponents off their trail. After a successful Kickstarter campaign, Alex and his friends were able to fully fund a first production of Intel and put their game out into the world.

Alex was the driving force behind the logistics needed to make the game a reality, and he has his Indiana Tech marketing education to thank. Many of his findings came as a direct result of what he was learning in the classroom of marketing professor Dr. Staci Lugar Brettin.

• BA 3300-Marketing Research helped him conduct research and product testing that contributed to multiple design iterations.
• BA 3760-Entrepreneurial Planning & Growth helped him develop a business plan for the game and a plan for the Kickstarter launch.
• BA 3500-Advertising helped him design several creative artifacts, including an ad and video that were included in the Kickstarter launch.
• BA 3460-Evaluating Start-Up Potential helped him explore ownership and intellectual property considerations and develop short-term and long-term action plans.

“What was really cool about the classes was that they were all project-based, and Dr. Staci just sort of adopted Intel as coursework. Everyone was hands-on with it, so all the course learning objectives were drilled directly into the game,” Alex said. “One example from the Marketing Research class is how we dove into each crowdfunding platform, determining whether we should go with Kickstarter or not. It turned out to be the best option for us based on all the information we found. So many things like that from each class just really helped make the whole thing a reality.

Sydney Williams

Indiana Tech’s 2021 investment in a state-of-the-art forensic lab reinforced an already-strong forensic science program. The lab enhancement gives our students the same tools that forensic data analysts are using in contemporary laboratories around the world for a variety of laboratory-based and advanced forensic science careers.

For Sydney, of Wauconda, Illinois, the new lab is preparing her to be a forensic analyst in a field that has intrigued her since sixth grade.

“This equipment is helping me develop techniques that I will be using when I further my career in this field,” she said. “I am learning how to work in a lab setting and follow protocols that are going to give me the most accurate outcomes.”

“I chose this career path because sixth-grade me found something that she was good at in science class—working with DNA,” she added. “From there, I fell in love with science and criminal justice, which led me down the path of forensic science and brought the two things I loved into one. I also knew I wanted a field that would help people. I can do that here without being directly connected with the victims’ families.”

Alexandra Ross

Indiana Tech’s digital graphics and design majors are exposed to several business courses and concepts. For Alexandra, who earned her bachelor’s with a perfect 4.0 GPA, that aspect of her degree pursuit was game-changing.

“Those business courses gave me a glimpse into many real-world situations that may occur in an organization and made me more prepared for career experiences,” she said. “On top of that, many of my courses required group projects, which helped me become a better communicator and organizer in team settings.”

Alexandra is pursuing an MBA concentrating in marketing at Indiana Tech and expects to complete the program in summer 2022. She will also participate in a summer internship at Caldwell VanRiper, a corporate marketing firm in her hometown of Indianapolis.

“It is my dream to work in a marketing or advertising firm, especially in my hometown,” she said. “I hope this experience gives me the opportunity to grow in this field.”

Dustan Herendeen

Dustan currently works as a production assistant at WANE 15. He serves as the intermediary between director and broadcasting cast, providing assistance with scripts, camera equipment and broadcasting fluidity. He also works as a freelance videographer with skills in filming, post-production editing, script writing, voice-overs, music production and social media marketing.

In order to meet the Communication degree requirements, Dustan completed an internship for Century21 where he was able to learn the art of script writing for TV broadcasting. Additionally, he has worked with the Indiana Tech MBA program to develop videos for its online content.

Tywell Williams

Tywell works as a music producer, helping clients with composing, producing, and editing music. Additionally, he works for the Renaissance YMCA with youth on music production, songwriting, recording and mixing/mastering.

“I love sharing my passion for music production with younger kids,” he said. “It gives me a sense of joy.”

Recently, Tywell worked on the “We Need More Hands” project, which featured a soundtrack for the opening of a new Rescue Mission in Fort Wayne.

“The project was for the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Rescue Mission in downtown,” he said. “It was a year-long project, and I’m happy that I was a part of it.”

Tywell said his communication classes at Indiana Tech helped him become successful in the music industry.

“I can establish and foster positive relationships with clients, manage time with musicians and artists, as well as develop my persuasive abilities that are needed for the industry,” he said.

Lukas Brant

Just a couple of months after graduating with a bachelor’s in business administration concentrating in sports management, Lukas accepted a job as inside sales executive with the National Basketball Association’s Los Angeles Clippers. In March 2020, he became an account executive with FC Cincinnati of Major League Soccer.

Lukas works with businesses and individual consumers to help them meet their ticketing needs—a high-stakes proposition for one of Major League Soccer’s newest teams. However, Lukas is used to performing at a high level.

He was a double-major, a runner for the Warriors’ cross country team and a student ambassador. He was also a member of the Scholar Leaders, the Sports Management Society and the Student Executive Board—all while earning academic accolades from Daktronics, the Alpha Chi Honor Society and the Chi Alpha Sigma Athletic Honor Society. He was the top student in the university’s sports management program for 2018 and finished his college career .062 of a point shy of a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Haley Merz

Haley Merz combined her natural compassionate nature with a Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy to secure a wonderful position helping others at Pure Abilities, LLC, an Indiana-based company that provides one-on-one therapeutic services for individuals of all ages and disabilities.

While at Tech, the 2018 graduate found her way to Pure Abilities through an internship–an experience that immersed her in the values of recreational therapy and solidified her passion for engaging others in positive life-changing activities. Since being there, she has become a Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist (CTRS), and she works within her community to increase awareness and foster inclusion for individuals with disabilities.

During her internship at Pure Abilities, Haley created a GoFundMe page to raise money so one of her clients could accomplish his dream of skydiving. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LteBBQuHQo8.

Laurie Seaney

While at Indiana Tech, Laurie Seaney juggled the challenges of being a full-time student, working full time as a waitress and raising two teenage children. Although that’s enough to keep most people busy, Laurie was not only able to handle it, she excelled. She graduated in May 2019 with a degree in criminal justice concentrating in crime analysis, and she was named the program’s most outstanding graduate for 2019.

Laurie cites the real-world work experience shared by her instructors as the major influence that inspired her to pursue education in criminal justice and crime analysis. As an Indiana Tech graduate, she looks forward to working in victim assistance programs, preferably investigating crimes against children or of human trafficking.

Jacob Weimer

Named the criminal justice program’s outstanding graduate for 2019, Jake Weimer is no stranger to success. As a member of the Indiana Tech wrestling team, he was a 2019 Sooner Athletic Conference runner-up, a National Association Intercollegiate Athletics national qualifier, a three-time NAIA Scholar-Athlete, a two-time Daktronics Scholar-Athlete and a National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete.

Although he found success both on and off the wrestling mat, Jacob stated that his toughest challenge was deciding what he wanted to do with his life. However, he says the professional development he experienced through his relationships with professors Dominic Lombardo and Kim Spielman helped him enter the hiring process—and the workforce—with confidence. Jake’s ambition is to become an Indiana Conservation Officer.

Autumn Stokes

Autumn Stokes achieved many recognitions during her time at Indiana Tech. The 2019 graduate made the dean’s list for six straight semesters, was named the university’s Outstanding Child Development graduate for 2019 and was honored as a Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete for her high academic standing. She was able to achieve these honors while playing four years for the Warriors’ varsity volleyball squad—two years as its team captain.

Understandably, her biggest challenge was time management—the balancing of school, work, and playing volleyball. She credits professor of psychology, Dr. Justin Boyce, for providing positive inspiration that helped her make it through.

“He has always gone out of his way to encourage me to achieve my goals, as well as give me recognition for my hard work in my academics,” Autumn said.

Autumn intends to continue on to graduate school and become either a school psychologist or a sports psychologist.

Sameh Alsahafi

After graduating in 2019 as Indiana Tech’s Outstanding Energy Engineering graduate, Sameh Alsahafi returned to his home country of Saudi Arabia to work with Saudi Aramco, a petroleum and natural gas company which is one of the largest companies in the world.

While at Indiana Tech, Sam not only excelled at his studies and made the dean’s list each year, but he did so while regularly commuting to Fort Wayne from Indianapolis after his sophomore year.

“Dr. Renie pushed me very hard to achieve my goals,” Sam said about the support and encouragement he received from associate professor of mechanical and energy engineering, Dr. John Renie. “He said to me, ‘You can do it! Don’t worry about anything else. Just work hard, stay focused on your goal and you will achieve it. And, I am always here to help.’ ”

Ella Jones

Ella graduated from Indiana Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration concentrating in financial services in 2019 and was the program’s outstanding student of the year. She made the dean’s list all four years at Tech and credits Dr. Crystal Karn, associate professor of business, for helping her succeed.

“Dr. Karn has been more than just a professor and my advisor. She prepared me in the classroom and career path,” Ella said. “With her mentorship, I knew financial services was the right path. She sparked my interest in finance and the stock market.”

A Michigan native, Jones plans on attending graduate school to both continue her education and expand her career options in the field of Financial Services.

Caleb Schannep

Long before achieving his fitness and recreation degree in 2016, Caleb applied the skills he was learning in his Indiana Tech classrooms out in the Fort Wayne community. Leading up to graduation, he was a pre-school/youth staff supervisor for Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation, a teaching assistant with Fort Wayne Community Schools and the head soccer coach for Woodlan High School for a season.

Caleb used that experience and networking to earn two full-time post-graduation positions, the most recent being as a program director for the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne.

“Choosing to pursue a major in fitness and recreation was a perfect fit, since my passion is to work with youth, adults and sports,” Caleb said. “My internship led me to my first job out of college as the program coordinator for Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation.”

Caleb’s new role involves planning programming for the Y’s child care services.

Joey Miller

When Joey was researching colleges, he knew he wanted to be a part of a smaller university environment with quality campus facilities. Indiana Tech fit the bill, and then some.

“The small class sizes and personal interactions with professors and other faculty members helped prepare me for communicating effectively in a business environment,” said the Rockford, Illinois, native. “I met friends that I am positive I will keep in touch with for years to come, too.”

When he left Indiana Tech to work for Ticomix, a custom software development company based in Loves Park, Illinois, Joey had no doubt he was ready to enter the workforce.

“Indiana Tech’s Career Center does great work preparing students for the job market, and it helped me form a baseline of what to expect outside the classroom,” Joey said. “My degree covered the core concepts I needed, and the senior presentation experience proved helpful when I was asked to give a presentation to prospective clients a few weeks into full-time work.”

Joey is now a senior programmer/analyst with Indiana Tech’s information technology department.

Thomas Rodda

When Thomas Rodda was a student at Indiana Tech, he scored an internship as a web development intern at Aptera Software. Since then, he has gone on to work for Symantec, as a software quality assurance engineer, and, more recently, to computer giant Apple Computer, as a technical program manager.

As a member of the first graduating class of Indiana Tech’s software engineering program, Thomas knew he had his work cut out for him.

“I was in it with some of the smartest programmers around and I started far behind any of them. In addition, most of our computer science classes started at advanced levels,” he said. “However, I had a slew of classmates who cared enough to take the time to bring me up to their level. I never thought I really made it to their level, but looking at where I am now, I know I have them to thank for showing me you don’t get anywhere without a little help from your friends.”

Not only did Thomas find a community within his degree program, but his professors “all loved what they did, and it was obvious in every class,” he said. They used that passion to “push us out of our comfort zone and into a place where real understanding could begin,” he added.

For Thomas, Indiana Tech’s history and foundation gave him the kick-start he needed to do great things

“Indiana Tech didn’t just pop up one day and disappear the next. They’ve built something sustainable that balanced a cool, small-town, middle-America feel with some big-city America output,” Thomas said. “Meet with some professors, meet with some students and ask them yourself. You can do some big things at Tech.”

Nic Goldsberry

In May, the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), awarded the Automotive Excellence Award to Honda Motor Company for their advanced high-strength steel innovations in the 2018 Honda Odyssey. The award was presented at the 17th annual Great Designs in Steel (GDIS) seminar in Livonia, Michigan.

Nic Goldsberry, an Indiana Tech graduate and senior body design engineer at Honda, received the award for his GDIS 2017 presentation, titled, “The All-New 2018 Honda Odyssey.” Goldsberry graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

Honda designed an all-new chassis for the 2018 Odyssey, based on the platform used in light duty trucks to maximize maneuverability and steering ease. They employed the Next-Gen Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure in combination with tailor welded hot stamped door rings and a new multi-connection bumper beam to enhance occupant protection. The Odyssey is comprised of 58 percent high-strength steel leading to high rigidity and a lightweight body.

“Automotive Excellence Award winners use advanced high-strength steel in applications to provide the best value for consumers while also improving vehicle performance and sustainability,” said Jody Hall, vice president of the automotive market at SMDI. “Steel is driving innovation and Nic and the Honda team are a great example of the capability of these next generation steel grades.”

The SMDI Automotive Excellence Award is presented each year at Great Designs in Steel. Individuals or teams from automakers, suppliers or the academic community who embrace innovation and make significant contributions to the advancement of steel in the automotive market are awarded for their innovation. Candidates are rated in several categories, including: challenges and benefits associated with cost, mass reduction and performance; overall contribution to the advancement of steel; and implementation in production

Kelsey Bair

When Kelsey Bair graduated in May 2020, the Fort Wayne, Indiana, native was well equipped for the next stage of her life.

“I feel very confident taking my next step because of my education from Indiana Tech. Tech has a hands-on program and it gives you the confidence to go out and do what you have learned.” Kelsey said.

“With my education and the connections I made through internships, I was able to get into graduate school at Manchester University in the athletic training program. When I went for my interview at Manchester, I felt better prepared than other students who were there with me,” she added.

Now, Kelsey is one step closer to realizing her career goal of becoming an athletic trainer.

“I have always wanted a career where I could help people, and with my exercise science degree I can do that.”

Katelyn Smolucha

In October, junior criminal justice major Katelyn Smolucha and associate professor of criminal justice, Dr. Tyler Counsil, presented at the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences (IASS) annual conference in New Albany, Indiana.

The presentation, “Genealogical Trends in Solving Cold Cases: An Investigation into the Merits and Concerns with Cold Case Lead Development,” was derived from Smolucha’s article, which she wrote over the summer and submitted to the IASS’ peer-reviewed journal. It’s currently under review for possible publication. The presentation and manuscript explore the pros and cons of ancestry DNA data-basing with direct-to-consumer DNA products to develop new leads in cases where traditional investigative methods have generated no suspects.

Smolucha currently interns at Allen County Corrections in the Case Manager Division and is president of Indiana Tech’s Criminal Justice Society. Recently, she completed an internship with Judge Samuel R. Keirns of the Allen County Superior Court.

Loni Robertson

Loni is a research associate at Gateway Rehabilitation Center in Pittsburgh, a position she thanks Indiana Tech for helping her achieve.

“My overall experience at Indiana Tech gave me the tools to prepare for my future. The small classes allowed me to get to know professors better and learn from their experiences as well as developing a forever support system,” she said.

One significant experience came from working with professor Dr. Justin Boyce and two other students on a research project—a project that took the group to Las Vegas to present their findings. It was there that she connected with the Gateway organization.

“My goal was to become an addictions counselor, and because of the opportunities and experiences I had at Tech, I achieved that goal. Without the education, experiences and support I received throughout my college career, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Jennifer Hitchcock

Before establishing her own law firm in Fort Wayne, Jennifer got her start in the pre-law program at Indiana Tech. It was there that she knew she was on the right path.

“The undergrad programs at Indiana Tech are designed for student success,” Jennifer said. “The instructors and the administration are of the highest caliber, and the culture within the school is energizing and uplifting.”

While working toward her law degree, Jennifer built relationships with professors, administrators and her classmates, and credits those relationships to helping her both personally and professionally.

“My undergrad advisor and I still speak regularly, and his support and guidance have been instrumental in my success,” she said.

Jennifer is doing exactly what she hoped after graduating from Indiana Tech: representing clients who have been discriminated against or unfairly targeted because of their socioeconomic status.

Juwuan Stewart

For Juwuan, manager of development operations at Brotherhood Mutual Insurance, being able to frequent Indiana Tech Career Center events like mock interviews, career fairs and professional dress days, helped him come out of his shell and show off his skills.

What was most impactful to him professionally was the opportunity to work alongside and learn from professors who have worked in the field and “being able to talk to my advisors about the career path (I wanted) and what’s next to come in the real world.”

Looking to the future, Juwuan wants to utilize his network engineering degree to help people progress in their lives through technology. He also looks forward to facing the new and exciting challenges his field will provide.

Sean Wooldridge

Sean admits that when he began his internship at AccuTemp Products in May of 2017, he was a bit intimidated. He knew nothing about foodservice equipment the Fort Wayne, Indiana-based company is known for manufacturing, and that was a source of trepidation for Sean.

As it turned out, Sean’s internship proved to be a nourishing and confidence-building experience that left AccuTemp’s vice president of engineering, Dean Stanley, glowing.

“Sean came to us well-prepared and adapted very quickly, so there wasn’t a honeymoon period or anything,” Stanley said. “He was ready to go and he made big contributions to our company.”

Sean gives thanks to the Indiana Tech Career Center, which “made a huge difference in finding the right type of internship for each student,” and the hands-on approach to learning that the Talwar College of Engineering and Computer Sciences embraces.

“The professors always found a way to liken the work back to real-world practice,” he said, which made his transition to a full-time role at AccuTemp much smoother.

Scott Anderson

As an electrical engineer at CSE Corporation in Export, Pennsylvania, Scott knows his work is making a difference every day.

His accomplishments include designing printed circuit board assemblies for safety products like gas detectors, breathing apparatuses and remote monitoring systems. Not only do these products keep businesses running smoothly, but they are also used in underground coal mines around the world to help to keep the coal miners safe and prevent accidents that could lead to the loss of life.

While pursuing his degree at Indiana Tech, Scott cites the “real-world applications of the engineering skills we learned in the textbooks” along with “professors who have industry experience and truly care about their students’ success” as differences-makers in his education experience.

Tessa Wilkins

Tess is a freelance graphic designer who has used her creativity and work ethic to rise to prominence within Indiana’s craft brewing industry.

While a student at Indiana Tech, she interned with Fort Wayne’s Hop River Brewing Co. and continued with the company after graduation to help develop marketing strategy, research and design projects. She also developed marketing material for the Northern Indiana Beer Trail project, a collaborative effort between northern Indiana brewers to increase awareness of the regional microbrewery scene.

Tess speaks highly of her internship experience and the “awesome additions” she gained for her portfolio, as well as courses that helped her develop skills that were necessary in the professional world.

“My course load involved a lot of marketing and advertising classes, which taught me the importance of selling myself to the client,” Tess said.

Hannah Wendel

When Hannah graduated in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, she already had a world of experience to give her a step up into the workforce. Hannah, a software developer at Fort Wayne’s Aptera, Inc., had a professor who nudged her toward an internship he felt would be a perfect fit for her.

“I ended up getting the internship and the real world experience is really what set me up for success,” Hannah said. “A lot of companies require some kind of experience and having internships provide that… I learned a lot from both of my internships that I would not have learned from any college.”

During her first internship, she found herself working for the City of Butler, Indiana, as a GIS (Geographic Information Systems) technician. There, she had the unique opportunity to build a map of a cemetery through digital software–something which had never been done before. Afterward, she presented in Indianapolis at the Indiana GIS conference to discuss her project.

Lauren Ohnesorge

When Lauren chose Indiana Tech to pursue computer engineering and continue playing the sport she loves (softball) at the collegiate level, she knew success would not come easy. However, she found that Indiana Tech was the perfect place for her to flourish at both.

“Through the time management necessary to complete my degree as an athlete, Indiana Tech helped develop my abilities to multitask and prioritize,” Lauren said. “I have found that my ability to work on several projects at once to complete execution has been my best attribute throughout my career.”

While at Tech, Lauren interned at Indiana Michigan Power. Now, she is I&M’s lead engineer on its grid modernization project, which entails distributed automation, station SCADA deployment planning and intelligent line sensors.

“Although the electric grid hasn’t historically seen much innovation in the last century, utilities are now adapting their grids to face the new challenges and demands being put on the grid by 21st-century technologies—and that’s where I come in,” Lauren said.

Ryan Cavender

While Ryan was a biomedical engineering student at Indiana Tech, his internship at Quadrant Plastics in Fort Wayne made him confident that when he entered the workforce, he would be “ready to make an impact immediately.”

“Being an intern at Quadrant most importantly affected my confidence in engineering and solidified my knowledge that I gained during my time at Indiana Tech,” Ryan said. “There was a substantial amount of learning that occurred during my internship. However, there was never a task or assignment that I was not able to complete. Having industry experience before graduation was extremely crucial to my future success.”

Ryan is a product development engineer at BioPoly in Fort Wayne.

Gracie Dusseau

Gracie graduated from Indiana Tech as its overall outstanding College of Business graduate for 2018 and immediately took a job as a human resources generalist with Fort Wayne’s Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company, which is the nation’s second largest provider of property and casualty insurance to Christian churches and related ministries.

She links her experience in her Executive Management course to the success she is experiencing early in her professional career.

“We had a kinesthetic classroom that taught me to think on my feet and enabled me to handle real-life problems that come up at work all the time, unannounced. No amount of book reading or lecturing can prepare you for the real world if you do not have experiences to go with them,” Gracie said. “The class helped me learn how to create professional relationships, how to network and how to present both myself and my company in an excellent manner.”

Chad Frost

While at Tech, Chad worked closely with bsimplecreations. He helped the small tote bag designer/manufacturer craft its venture while learning about product development, conducting market research, identifying target markets and assessing risks.

The hands-on experience was extremely impactful for Chad. He also credits his mentor, professor Dr. Staci Lugar Brettin, for helping him connect the dots.

“She coached me through some major ups and downs and still continues to do just that, even though I have graduated and moved to a different state. Her energy and enthusiasm inspired me to always work hard and smile,” Chad said.

Chad is working to grow his own business and continues to help small businesses in his region.

Marissa Kenney

As a freshman at Indiana Tech, Marissa Kenney dreamed of being an engineer at Boeing—and in a short amount of time, she made it a reality. When identifying what prepared her best for her job at Boeing, Marissa attributes Indiana Tech’s hands-on team approach to coursework.

“The engineering program puts a large focus on working in teams to complete a project. Some might be frustrated with this, but I quickly learned that engineers must be able to work in groups during their career,” Marissa said. “Indiana Tech did a great job at not just making us work in groups, but teaching all of us how to be better leaders and team members.”

Marissa graduated from Indiana Tech with plenty of momentum. “Now that I have achieved what I thought to be a lifelong goal in a matter of a few years, I believe that anything is within reach.”

Courtney Lakes

Courtney works with troubled youths as a mental health worker at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch in Billings, Montana. She feels her Indiana Tech education prepared her well for the “challenging and rewarding” position.

“Everything in my degree program helped me—from the professors, to all the different courses for a communication major. It gave me the confidence and ability to work in any kind of job field,” Courtney said. “I give huge credit to my professors; they contributed to most of what I have now in my current career. They really shaped me into the kind of individual that goes after things and always strives for more. I believe Indiana Tech made me fearless and gave me huge amounts of confidence to believe that I can be who I want to be in any kind of career.”

Courtney wants to pursue a master’s in communication and become a professor. In addition, the children’s book series she created as her senior project is still a work in progress she hopes to have published one day.

Michael Mast

Michael is an inside sales coordinator with Kwik Goal, a Pennsylvania company known for manufacturing soccer goals and stadium equipment. He says the teaching he received from professors outside the classroom was just as impactful as what went on inside.

“My professors were honest and upfront with me about what steps I needed to take to get where I wanted to go,” Michael said. “They didn’t give me the answers, but they allowed me to figure out want I wanted to do. A lot of time was spent talking outside the classroom about life, experiences and what I wanted to get from college.”

Michael also took advantage of various opportunities to work for Indiana Tech’s athletic department, which opened doors to coaching opportunities and interning at a sports facility within Fort Wayne.

Rob Surber

Rob is a manufacturing supervisor at Zimmer Biomet in the orthopedics capital of the world, Warsaw, Indiana. Drawing from the experience of his Indiana Tech professors helped him create a new world for himself.

“It was the culmination of all the professors who had real-life experience in the workforce that prepared me most for my career. They were able to teach me the things that the books could not,” Rob said.

“Some of my professors had actually owned their own businesses or managed large companies. In doing so, they were able to draw on their experience and make connections to the material they were teaching. They really seemed to care for me and that filled me with confidence that I really could reach the goals I thought were just dreams.”

Rashaam Hill

Rashaam is a full-time staff accountant with Sweetwater in Fort Wayne, Indiana. While at Indiana Tech, he took advantage of all the resources he could in order to be ready for life after graduation.

“Indiana Tech does a great job preparing you for your career by giving you multiple ways to develop your skills that you will need in the job world,” he said. “From mock interviews to career fairs, Indiana Tech’s Career Center does a fantastic job of getting students the necessary exposure to employers.”

In the end, Rashaam was thankful for the staff who helped him along the way.

“At Indiana Tech, the faculty and staff really cares to develop a positive relationship with students, and that makes it a very special place to be a part of,” he said. “My accounting professors were all mentors to me and I took great pleasure coming to class and learning, thanks to them.”

Marina Steffke

Through Indiana Tech’s relationship with Fort Wayne’s Three Rivers Distilling Company distillery and restaurant, Marina was able to earn an internship during the summer of 2018. It went so well, TRDC extended her invaluable experience beyond it’s initially scheduled end. As a result, Marina accumulated a wealth of knowledge while helping the rising establishment improve its profile in the community.

Her primary responsibilities included assessing the company’s website and facilitating changes to a new and improved site, bolstering the company’s social media presence and engagement, creating marketing materials to promote the tasting room and distribution sales and developing new customer relationships.

Marina attributes her meaningful internship experience to the educational experience she is receiving at Indiana Tech.

“The marketing program at Tech taught me how to work collaboratively with others and gave me the interpersonal skills needed to work in a team-based environment,” Marina said. “Both skills are important in today’s job market, and I think Dr. Lugar Brettin’s classes specifically helped in this area.”