Engineers aren’t always thought of as diplomats. But Kettering students are problem-solvers — they shine wherever they see a challenge.

In February, five Kettering students traveled to Boston to compete in the Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN) — one of the world’s oldest and most competitive international relations simulations. Ian Gibson ’26 (Electrical Engineering), Bassam Jehangir ’26 (Mechanical Engineering), Ryan Hociota ’26 (Electrical Engineering), Amanya Gonzales ’26 (Industrial Engineering), and Skylar Menzies ’26 (Chemical Engineering) represented Kettering at the competition.

At Model UN, students from around the globe take on the role of country delegates, debating and collaborating on some of the toughest global issues — from security and human rights to technology and sustainability. Over the course of a weekend, Kettering’s team joined students from Ivy League and international universities, proving that analytical minds and problem solvers belong at the table for world-changing conversations.

Four of the Kettering students represented Iceland for the duration of the HNMUN and were able to pass resolutions in each of their respective committees: United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN).

Ian Gibson participated in a special committee, The Boeing Board of Directors, where he represented board member John M. Richardson. That committee discussed how to increase the safety and quality of Boeing airplanes and how airlines can ensure their airplanes are safe.

“I had the opportunity to attend Harvard National Model United Nations alongside an incredible delegation of fellow Kettering students,” Gibson said after the event. “I am incredibly proud of how our team performed and grateful to have spent time learning and debating with talented students from across the globe.”

For Kettering students — known for their hands-on work in labs, Co-ops, and competitive teams — Model UN offered a new proving ground to sharpen critical skills in communication, leadership, and global thinking. The experience also underscored a core Kettering value: Solutions don’t stop at technical answers — they require the ability to work across boundaries, advocate for ideas, and lead through complexity.

At Kettering, students rise to that expectation, whether engineering next-gen EVs, managing Co-op projects, or debating global policy. Because when something needs to be built — whether it’s a better drivetrain or a better world — Bulldogs show up ready to lead.

������Ƶ president, Dr. Robert K. McMahan, has appointed Enza Sleva as the University’s new Chief Student Experience Officer (CXO), placing the University at the forefront of a growing movement to reimagine student success and support in higher education. The newly created Cabinet-level role underscores Kettering’s commitment to innovation — not only through its rigorous academics and paid professional Co-op model but also in how the University prepares and empowers its students.

Sleva, who has led Kettering’s Co-op and Career Design team since 2022, brings more than 30 years of expertise in customer experience, operational excellence, and culture-building from her career at Ford Motor Company. While with Ford, she played a critical role in shaping customer-centric strategies that enhanced engagement, efficiency, and satisfaction — expertise she now applies to revolutionizing the student experience at Kettering.

“Enza’s work in reshaping our Co-op and Career Design team has been exceptional,” said ������Ƶ President Dr. Robert K. McMahan. “She has demonstrated what is possible when we take a comprehensive approach to the student experience. She is a leader who empowers those around her, and I have no doubt that her leadership of our new Student Experience Team will elevate our institution in profound ways.”

As one of the few CXOs in higher education, Sleva will lead a Student Experience Team focused on providing a seamless, integrated, and modern student experience. The team will unify student-facing services under a single, student—first strategy, including the Academic Success and Wellness Centers, Co-op and Career Design, Student Life, Residential Life, and Athletic and Recreation Services.

“Kettering students expect more from their education, and we are here to match that ambition,” Sleva said. “Just as great companies stress positive customer experience, we must rethink student support — not as coming from isolated departments, but as an integrated journey that anticipates needs, removes barriers, and empowers students to succeed from day one.”

The Student Experience Team brings together key areas dedicated to student success, creating a more connected and collaborative approach to fulfilling ������Ƶ’s mission of preparing students for lives of extraordinary leadership and service by linking experiential learning opportunities to rigorous academic programs. By unifying academic support, career preparation, professional development, and campus life under one umbrella, the team ensures every student has the support, resources, and opportunities needed to excel. Working closely with University leaders — including the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, the Vice President for Enrollment Management, the Vice President for Administration and Finance, the Registrar, the Director of Public Safety, and the Director of Dining Services — the team drives a fully integrated student experience.

“As CXO, Enza will be looking across, within, and outside our University to better understand the Kettering experience from our students’ perspectives,” Dr. McMahan said. “She and her team will also make recommendations across the University on ways we must change to ensure our students are best positioned to succeed and to do so with greater satisfaction, greater learning, and the most positive, memorable university experience possible.”

Evan Muchler ’28, a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering, made history this fall as the 2024 WDRA Summit Junior Dragster World Champion. His victory capped off a season of focus and determination, making him the competition’s first-ever back-to-back finalist. For Evan, this accomplishment was the culmination of years spent perfecting his skills and racing alongside his family.

“Winning a world championship to prove something to someone else would take away the significance of it,” Evan said. “So going into the first race of 2024, I had the mentality to win it for myself and my dad.”

Evan’s drag-racing journey began when he was a child. “I was initially drawn into drag racing because it was the coolest thing that could have happened to me,” he said. “I was able to drive my own car when I was 8!”

With his dad by his side, Evan honed his skills over the years. “My dad has been there every step of the way,” he said. “We’ve put in countless hours of practice in the garage and at the racetrack for different strategies and techniques.”

Falling short in the 2023 WDRA finals tested Evan’s determination and fueled his desire to come back stronger this year. “As soon as I lost in the final in 2023, I was already thinking about how close I was and how I had the most potential out of everyone to make it back next year,” he said.

In the offseason, he refined his focus, learning to stay grounded and present in high-pressure moments. “My mindset going into the final round was to not think about the huge trophy that says ‘World Champion’ on it or the winner circle picture or post-race interview but instead think about the moment,” he explained. “All that mattered was the next round, and why should this one be any different than the thousands of other rounds I’ve won?” That focus helped Evan deliver a near-perfect performance in the finals, securing the championship title. 

Evan’s success on the track is closely tied to his academic journey. At ������Ƶ, he is pursuing a mechanical engineering degree to deepen his understanding of the machines he races. “The reason why I’m studying mechanical engineering is because of drag racing,” he said. “If I plan on drag racing for a lot longer, then I need to know how things work with my race cars and how to fix them.”

Balancing academics and racing is no easy task, but Evan remains committed to both. “I will try to fit racing into my schedule wherever I can,” he said. “But I won’t be missing any schooling because just like the term student-athlete, the ‘student’ part comes first.”

With a championship behind him and an exciting future ahead, Evan Muchler exemplifies the focus, perseverance, and innovation that define success in both racing and engineering.

On December 10, 2024, ������Ƶ proudly initiated three new members into the esteemed Robot Society, an honor that stands as the pinnacle of the University's recognition. Membership is awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional leadership, academic performance, and a commitment to community values.

Since the organization’s founding in 1927, approximately 1,200 individuals have been honored as Robots, selected from the top 1 percent of the student body. Each initiate is chosen for exemplifying the Society's core values: Leadership, which is Creative, Service that Transcends Self, and Citizenship, which Demonstrates Responsibility.

The official Robot attire, designed to distinguish members, includes:

• White Gloves symbolizing purity
• Red Bow Tie representing the bloodline of a leader
• Cane topped with the letter "R" to signify membership
• Black Spots on the Key, symbolizing the transformation into a Robot
• Bells are worn to draw attention to the initiates

The initiation ceremony consists of certification, the recitation of the Robot pledge, and the signing of the Keys by all present honorary and active Robots. The Robot Pledge commits new members to uphold the Society's ideals and adhere to the Constitution and Bylaws.

The newest members of the Robot Society are:

Ian Gibson, Electrical Engineering

Jaydin Freeman, Computer Science

Meadow Loukmas, Mechanical Engineering

Becoming a Robot is a distinguished honor and offers recognition for going above and beyond as a student. Members have opportunities for scholarships, networking with alumni in C-level positions, and consideration for prestigious awards such as the President's Medal.

Congratulations to these outstanding students on their remarkable achievement! Your dedication and commitment to excellence inspire the entire Kettering community.

Not everyone has what it takes to tackle a challenge with this much impact. Kettering students do.

When Maggie Simons saw an opportunity to make Flint greener, she didn’t wait for someone else to step up. A hands-on leader and relentless problem solver, Simons inspired a team of Kettering volunteers to plant 230 trees in just two hours, partnering with the Flint River Watershed Coalition (FRWC) to enhance the environment around Potter Elementary School on the city’s northeast side.

This effort was more than a day of digging — it was part of a broader initiative to restore Flint’s natural ecosystems and improve water quality. These trees will help stabilize soil, filter rainwater, and prevent standing water where bacteria thrive. It’s a long-term solution made possible by student volunteers ready to lead.

Simons worked closely with FRWC to set the date, recruit volunteers, and coordinate logistics. Drawing support from Greek Life and international students, she brought together a team that reflected Kettering’s culture: collaborative, driven, and ready to work hard.

“I didn’t think we’d finish this fast,” volunteers marveled after completing the project in record time. The experience united students from across campus, demonstrating what Bulldogs are built to do: take on challenges, make a measurable impact, and look to what’s next.

Simons is already planning another initiative with her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, for spring 2025. Inspired by this event’s success, she aims to mobilize even more students to continue environmental restoration in Flint.

For more information about FRWC and how to get involved, visit. 

Nearly 200 Kettering students marked their start on campus by participating in Service Saturday on July 13, 2024. They lent a helping hand through various service projects, including assisting almost a dozen homeowners in the Mott Park neighborhood, volunteering at the Flint Children’s Museum, working in a community garden, and painting over graffiti.

“Service Saturday represents an intentional effort to demonstrate that the University is committed to being a good neighbor and to playing an active role in supporting Flint’s revitalization. And just as importantly, it demonstrates to students that wherever they go as leaders in their respective industries, it is vitally important to be in tune with the community and be a force for good,” said Jack Stock, Director of External Relations. “It is a lesson in civics that says Kettering’s problem-solvers want to be a part of the solution wherever we go.”

Kettering has organized Service Saturday events for over a decade, living up to one of the University’s Pillars of Success: Community Vitality. The day of service is annually part of new student orientation and occurs both in July and October.

This year, Kettering students took on several projects in the areas surrounding campus. They worked inside and outside at Flint Children’s Museum, assisting with exhibits and the garden. They helped homeowners in the Mott Park neighborhood with cleaning garages, clearing gutters, trimming bushes, spreading mulch, and other lawn projects. They also picked up paintbrushes and covered graffiti in the University Avenue Corridor. The students even stenciled drains in partnership with the Genesee County Drain Commission.

Multiple neighbors came out to thank the students for their hard work. “The group of kids that I had today from Kettering were by far the best volunteers I’ve ever had. … It was just phenomenal,” one neighbor said. “It went way better than what I expected, and I appreciate it, and I would like to work with them again if it ever comes up.”

Past Service Saturday projects include cleaning up blighted city lots, painting homes in the neighborhood, Flint River cleanups, planting trees, restoring grave sites, building playgrounds, and working on the grounds of Durant-Tuuri Mott Elementary.