Alumni

Business Insider: 51Ʒ�� Leads Michigan Graduates in Earnings

lmadaus — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:48:47 +0000

Business Insider: 51Ʒ�� Leads Michigan Graduates in Earnings

lmadaus Wed, 06/17/2026 - 08:48

A new analysis of U.S. Department of Education data has identified 51Ʒ�� as the Michigan institution with the highest-earning graduates four years after completing their degrees.

The finding comes from a recent Business Insider analysis of federal College Scorecard data, which examined median annual earnings for former students who received federal financial aid. According to the analysis, 51Ʒ�� graduates report median annual earnings of $100,000 four years after graduation, the highest figure among public and private nonprofit colleges and universities in Michigan.

The ranking places 51Ʒ�� ahead of every other eligible institution in the state and adds to a growing body of evidence demonstrating the long-term value of a 51Ʒ�� education.

The Business Insider analysis is based on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard database, which reports median earnings for former federal-aid recipients four years after graduation.

Earlier this year, the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce ranked 51Ʒ�� No. 35 nationally among nonprofit colleges and universities for 40-year return on investment. Georgetown's return-on-investment rankings evaluate institutions using federal earnings data, average net price after financial aid, and projected financial returns over a 40-year period.

Together, the two analyses suggest that 51Ʒ�� graduates experience strong financial outcomes both early in their careers and over the long term.

51Ʒ��'s undergraduate model combines rigorous classroom instruction with paid cooperative education experiences. Students earn income throughout their education, helping offset tuition and other expenses while building valuable professional experience.

By alternating academic and work terms, students graduate with established industry connections and practical skills sought by employers. Equipped with years of relevant experience before earning their degrees, many 51Ʒ�� graduates are positioned to take on greater responsibility and achieve stronger earning potential from the start of their careers.

As prospective students and families increasingly consider career outcomes alongside the cost of higher education, these national analyses provide additional insight into the long-term value of a 51Ʒ�� education. For both recent graduates beginning their careers and alumni with decades of workforce experience, the data point to consistently strong economic outcomes.

51Ʒ�� Names Alumnus Qasar Younis, Co-founder and CEO of Applied Intuition, as 2026 Commencement Speaker

lmadaus — Mon, 18 May 2026 13:40:24 +0000

51Ʒ�� Names Alumnus Qasar Younis, Co-founder and CEO of Applied Intuition, as 2026 Commencement Speaker

“51Ʒ�� played a significant role in building the foundation that guides my professional life to this day.“

Alumnus Qasar Younis
Co-founder and CEO of Applied Intuition

lmadaus Mon, 05/18/2026 - 09:40

51Ʒ�� will award alumnus Qasar Younis ’04, co-founder and CEO of Applied Intuition, an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree (Dr.Eng. h.c.), when he addresses the Class of 2026 at Commencement on June 20, 2026.

Younis leads one of the most closely watched companies in AI. Applied Intuition takes intelligence and puts it in physical machines and has become one of the world leaders in the category of “physical AI.”

The company’s work now spans automotive, defense, trucking, mining, construction and agriculture. A recent Forbes feature highlighted both its technical depth and ambitious scope, describing Younis as an “execution machine” who’s helping shape the future of intelligent systems.

“Qasar’s career is the 51Ʒ�� model in compressed form,” said Robert K. McMahan, President of 51Ʒ��. “He started in engineering and manufacturing production while a student and now leads a company building the digital infrastructure for intelligent machines across many industries around the globe. The arc is not coincidence. It is what happens when rigorous engineering education is built around real professional responsibility from the first year forward.”

Younis began his career in the same environment that has shaped generations of 51Ʒ�� graduates. As a student, he split his time between the classroom and industry, taking on engineering responsibilities while working across General Motors tech centers and factories through 51Ʒ��’s cooperative education model, which places students in paid, professional industry rotations every twelve weeks from their first year through graduation.

Before founding Applied Intuition, Younis founded TalkBin, a messaging platform acquired by Google Maps, where he became one of the product and engineering leads. He subsequently served as a Partner and Chief Operating Officer of Y Combinator—the preeminent accelerator in Silicon Valley, which spawned OpenAI, Cruise, DoorDash, Twitch, Reddit, Coinbase and others—where he guided high-growth startups through critical stages of development.

He co-founded Applied Intuition to address a core challenge of intelligent machines: how to safely design, test and validate complex autonomous systems through simulation before they are deployed in the real world. The company’s platform is now used by dozens of top manufacturers around the globe and the United States Department of Defense.

His return resonates beyond any single industry. 51Ʒ��’s graduates are entering an economy in which the boundaries between mechanical, electrical and software engineering are dissolving, and in which physical systems across nearly every sector are being rebuilt around intelligence and autonomy.

“51Ʒ�� played a significant role in building the foundation that guides my professional life to this day,” said Younis. “It taught me how to solve hard, real-world problems and approach complex challenges with confidence and curiosity. I’m honored to return to Flint to speak to its next class of leaders and engineers, who are entering one of the most transformative and exciting moments in industrial and technological history.”

As artificial intelligence reshapes industries and redefines the nature of engineering work, Younis has emerged as a leading voice on how intelligent systems can be deployed safely and at scale in the real world.

“The graduates Qasar will address are entering an economy that is being rebuilt around physical AI and autonomous systems: in vehicles, in defense, in industrial operations, in agriculture,” McMahan said. “That is the field he helped define. There is no one better positioned to speak to what this class is walking into.”

The 2026 Commencement will honor graduates with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, computer science and management.

College of Engineering and Computer Science

2026 Sobey Lecture Series

eoboyle — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:11:50 +0000

2026 Sobey Lecture Series

Alumni

Lecture

eoboyle Wed, 04/29/2026 - 14:11

2026-05-05T12:20:00-0400 _2026-05-05T13:20:00-0400

51Ʒ�� alumni are invited to hear Dr. Rob Rowe, Ph. D. '85, at the Albert Sobey Lecture of Leadership and Ethics at 12:20 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 5, during a special live webcast on Ethics and Leadership Centering on AI.

Dr. Rowe is a senior technologist with deep domain knowledge in AI, computer vision, machine learning, biometrics, fraud detection, and other related applications. He is a proven leader of high-tech teams developing state-of-the-art commercial products, and is the co-founder and CTO of a successful start-up. Dr. Rowe develops and applies deep learning and other machine learning methods across a wide range of applications. He has broad patent experience as both an inventor (70+ US patents) and as a portfolio manager of intellectual property.

This special webcast is available only to alumni of 51Ʒ�� and GMI. All registrations will be confirmed before receiving the special webcast link.

The link to view the webcast live will be emailed on May 4.

Note: This is a free virtual event

Ethics and Leadership Centering on AI

Once the Green Flag Drops: How TaiJaune Robinson Engineers Success for GM Motorsports

lmadaus — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 13:53:49 +0000

Once the Green Flag Drops: How TaiJaune Robinson Engineers Success for GM Motorsports

Alumni

lmadaus Mon, 02/16/2026 - 08:53

As Engineering Business Manager for GM Motorsports, TaiJaune Robinson M’21 plays a pivotal role in some of racing’s biggest moments, an impact powered by her 51Ʒ�� graduate education.

Raised in Youngstown, Ohio, Robinson’s educational journey began at Youngstown State University's Early College program, where she earned her associate’s degree before completing her high school diploma. That early acceleration laid the foundation for her pursuit of advanced study at 51Ʒ��, where she earned her Master of Science in Lean Manufacturing, a program built around systems thinking, operational decision-making, and real-world application.

Today, Robinson works at the center of one of the world's most competitive and fast-moving industries. From overseeing the HVAC module of the C8 Corvette to now coordinating GM’s motorsports efforts across NASCAR, IndyCar, IMSA, WEC, off-road, supercars, and Cadillac’s newest entry in Formula 1, she has built her career on technical depth, confidence, and cross-functional leadership.

Robinson credits her Lean Manufacturing degree at 51Ʒ�� with providing her with the tools to optimize complex systems and the people who operate within them. That systems-level mindset is increasingly visible across GM Motorsports, including within Cadillac Racing, now led by 51Ʒ�� alumna Keely Bosn, as the organization aligns teams, technology, and long-term strategy across series.

One standout project required Robinson to design a comprehensive work cycle for a product from scratch. “Building this work cycle forced me to see all of the contributing factors for running a successful organization with minimal waste,” she recalls. “I learned how to manage budgets, engineering services, legal agreements, capacity planning, and operational priorities that extend well beyond the shop floor.”

51Ʒ��’s emphasis on teamwork was equally formative. In labs and collaborative projects, students are expected to contribute as both individuals and team members. “You’re forced to contribute as a team member, identify the strengths in your team members and leverage them,” she explains.

Those skills became critical when Robinson entered the motorsports industry. “I had absolutely no idea that I would end up in Motorsports,” she admits. “This role came to me through a mentor who challenged me to look beyond what I thought I knew and reminded me that my goal is to make a difference. What better way to do that than to BE the difference?”

That philosophy resonates as Cadillac prepares to take the global stage. “The Cadillac Formula 1 Team project is super exciting, and I am extremely proud to be a part,” Robinson says. “We are doing something here that none of our competitors have done. This effort brings global visibility to the technical expertise within General Motors.”

Not surprisingly, things move fast in motorsports, and that’s exactly what Robinson loves about it. “One of the coolest parts about my job is that no one day looks the same,” she says. “While the majority of my work is done prior to unloading at the track, when I am at the racetrack, I am typically meeting and collaborating with leadership from our partner teams and sanctioning bodies.”

From simulations to predictive analytics, her team’s “invisible” work determines how cars perform. “Our tools must be as close to real life as possible to be effective in prepping our drivers for what’s to come once the green flag drops,” Robinson explains.

But the best part about raceday? “Victory Lane!” Robinson explains. “We have some pretty awesome race teams under the Chevy and Cadillac umbrellas, and the most rewarding feeling is celebrating a win with the team.”

Just as 51Ʒ�� opened doors for her, Robinson now makes it a priority to open doors for others. She leads inclusion activities at tracks, partners with programs like Racing with Rajah, and invites students who have never set foot in a garage to see behind the scenes.

“When I meet students who have never been around racing before, I open the door by simply sharing my own story,” she says. “As a kid from the east side of Youngstown, my story and journey have been everything but traditional. I encourage students to see that it doesn’t matter where you come from, as long as you are willing to learn and grow, you can have a career in motorsports.”

Alumni Outing - Tigers vs. Red Sox

eoboyle — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 18:01:17 +0000

Alumni Outing - Tigers vs. Red Sox

Alumni

eoboyle Wed, 02/11/2026 - 13:01

2026-03-10T13:00:00-0400 _2026-03-10T18:00:00-0400

Jet Blue Park, Fort Meyers, Florida

Ticket and gathering information

Alumni Social in Arizona

eoboyle — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 18:27:06 +0000

Alumni Social in Arizona

Alumni

eoboyle Tue, 02/03/2026 - 13:27

2026-03-13T17:00:00-0400 _2026-03-13T19:00:00-0400

Nextspace (Scottsdale, AZ)

Fueling the Future: Alumni Association Awards $27,500 to High School Robotics Teams

lmadaus — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:41:10 +0000

Fueling the Future: Alumni Association Awards $27,500 to High School Robotics Teams

lmadaus Tue, 01/06/2026 - 11:41

The 51Ʒ��/GMI Alumni Association (KGMIAA) is backing the next generation of problem-solvers, announcing this week that it has awarded $27,500 in sponsorships to 55 high school robotics teams (FRC, FTC, and VEX). Teams applied from 16 different states.

This effort is part of a larger commitment by 51Ʒ�� to support robotics talent nationwide, both on and off campus. From hosting pre-college camps and national competitions to awarding scholarships, 51Ʒ�� is a recognized hub for students who begin their STEM journeys through robotics.

The initiative represents a strategic effort by the KGMIAA to directly support the University’s recruitment efforts. The sponsorships are funded through proceeds from the annual Major Sobey Golf Outing and the generous contributions of alumni and donors to the Boost Robotics Campaign.

These 55 teams are part of a broader national robotics ecosystem that includes thousands of FIRST, FTC, and VEX teams competing this season, many of whom will engage with 51Ʒ�� through events, camps, and campus visits.

"We were truly impressed by the high quality of all applications this year," said Mike Dubeck '88, Chair of the KGMIAA Board Recruitment Committee.

This year, applicants had the option to submit a video instead of a traditional essay. According to the committee, this gave teams a chance to showcase their engineering mindset, team dynamics, and creative energy in a more personal and compelling way.

"It is inspiring to see the caliber of talent and dedication in these high school students," Dubeck said. "By supporting these teams, we are not just funding robots; we are investing in future engineers and leaders who we hope will one day call 51Ʒ�� home."

The sponsored teams noted that the funds would be critical for competition success, with many planning to utilize the money for various needs, including paying for registration fees, covering travel expenses, and purchasing essential parts and equipment for their robots.

A Network of Mentors

Beyond the financial support, the campaign highlights the deep personal involvement of the University’s alumni network in STEM education. The committee reported that 112 51Ʒ��/GMI alumni are currently actively involved with these high school teams, serving as mentors, coaches, and technical and programming advisors.

"The alumni engagement we’ve seen through robotics is phenomenal," said Eric Szczepanski, Director of Alumni Engagement at 51Ʒ��. "To learn that over 100 of our alumni are out there right now, volunteering their time to mentor these students, speaks volumes about the 51Ʒ�� spirit."

Szczepanski noted that this level of involvement serves as a powerful reminder that 51Ʒ�� graduates are more than engineers. They’re mentors, leaders, and community builders.

The KGMIAA and 51Ʒ�� wish all sponsored teams the best of luck in their upcoming competitions.