Alumni

Joan graduated from Michigan Tech in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. She subsequently earned her master's degree in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology in 1984. Post Michigan Tech she was hired as an engineer with the Advance Development Department of Hughes Aircraft in Los Angeles and was given a Top Secret clearance. She designed and developed a working prototype . . .

Why did you choose Michigan Tech? Growing up in Metro Detroit, the Keweenaw environment (including the snowfall) was a huge draw. My father, who had graduated from U of M, spoke highly of the engineering program at the university and even his own desire to attend there but could not due to the distance and travel constraints for him and his family. It simply felt like the right place to go and I am thankful I did . . .

Along with the Certificate in International Business she received in 2000, Melissa earned two Bachelor of Science degrees, Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration, in 2001. In addition to her Michigan Tech education, she attended the Engineering College of Copenhagen in 2001 for her Mechanical Engineering senior design project and graduated from the International Business Linkage Program at Helsinki University . . .

After attending "Women in Engineering" as part of the Summer Youth Program at Michigan Tech when she was in 11th grade, Cynthia Hodges '87 '90 knew it was the place for her. "Michigan Tech prepared me very well for my career, for an unlikely reason. There were so few of women studying engineering back then, I got used to being one of the only women in the room. This suited me well for a career in industry, where women . . .