Engineering Ambassadors

email: kb539021@ohio.edu

Kate Balis is a third-year student at Ohio University, where she is pursuing a dual major in Aviation Flight and Aviation Management, along with minors in Communications and Business Administration. Kate is from Sandyville, West Virginia, a small town across the Ohio River. Kate's love for aviation began at a young age. At just 14 years old, she took a discovery flight, sparking a love for flying. After soloing at 16, she was "bit by the flying bug" and knew she wanted to make aviation her career.

Kate chose Ohio University's flight program because of the supportive faculty and strong sense of community, which has provided her with the perfect environment to grow as both a student and aviator. She is an active member of the university's Women in Aviation chapter, where she has helped with several events such as Girls in Aviation Day and the annual Runway 5K. When she's not out at the airport, Kate enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family.

email: tb917419@ohio.edu

Tracy is a senior civil engineering student here at Ohio University. He focuses his academic interests on Land Surveying and Hydraulics/Hydrology. Tracy has been accepted and plans on continuing his studies at OHIO for a master's in civil engineering. Tracy has been very involved in campus organizations, being of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) student club, Engineers Reducing Anxiety Stress etc. (ERASe), and as a peer tutor for base-level civil/engineering classes.

Outside of academia, Tracy is involved with his home scouting council where he serves as a NESA (National Eagle Scout Association) committee member and is a part of a few troops/crews. Tracy is very involved with his family/future family. Tracy is engaged and is to be married by the end of the summer 2025.

email: tb625122@ohio.edu

Theo Blundell is a second year at Ohio University majoring in Aviation flight and Aviation management with minors in Business administration and Communications. Since Theo was a young kid, he loved traveling and aviation and plans to become an airline pilot upon graduation. Theo lives in Bridgeport, West Virginia, but is originally from Yorkshire in the United Kingdom. Theo loves being involved in the aviation community here at Ohio University.

On campus, Theo is a member of all the aviation student organizations. Including, Alpha Eta Rho, Drone Club, Flying Bobcats precision flight team, and Women in Aviation. Theo attended the Women in Aviation conference in Orlando last year with the organization and hopes to go again. Recently, Theo competed at the regional NIFA SAFECON flight team competition at the Ohio State University Airport in Columbus.

Theo chose Ohio University because he liked how the program felt more of a community. In addition, Theo fell in love with the architecture, design, and feel of the campus. Theo spent most of the summer in Athens to be able to fly more and get further in the program. In his free time, Theo enjoys hanging with friends, flying drones and cooking. Theo looks forward to the academic year and sharing his love of aviation.

email: gf519420@ohio.edi

Gianni is a third year Energy Engineering student at Ohio University’s Russ College of Engineering. His hometown is Lyndhurst, which is a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. After seeing Ohio University online, he made the choice to go after he was awarded the Templeton Scholarship. He did not realize this was the place for him until orientation when he got to see the campus for the first time in person.

He spent his first year doing undecided engineering courses while looking around to see which direction to go in. A presentation about Energy Engineering in one of his courses convinced him that this was the right major for him by showing the different ways the degree can be used. He is interested in renewable energy and would like to do his part in making a greener future through applying what he learns in school.

At Ohio University, Gianni is the 2023-24 treasurer for NSBE, or the National Society of Black Engineers. This is a professional development engineering organization that is geared toward people of color. He also works throughout the school year as an RA for residents in Read Hall, in East Green.

In his free time, Gianni likes to spend quality time with his family. He also likes dogs, comic book characters, and watching movies with his friends. 

email: kf106921@ohio.edu

Kavanaugh Frank is a sophomore Computer Science major from Lancaster, Ohio. After taking classes at Ohio University Lancaster, he moved to the main campus for the 2022-23 school year and immediately found a place in the CS department and the Athens campus. Along with getting his CS degree, he also was able to study abroad in France. Kavanaugh hopes to use his degree to improve the technology of people’s daily lives.

While at Ohio University he has taken to multiple positions on campus including member in the Associated Computing Machinery (ACM) club, a broadcaster for the Ohio Esports Valorant and Overwatch teams, Research Assistant for Professor Mourning on the Ohio University Glide Slope (OUGS) platform, and an Engineering Ambassador for Computer Science.

In his life on campus, Kavanaugh is an avid lifter and can be found in Ping in his free time. He also is a major sports fan supporting the Cleveland Browns, Cavaliers, and West Ham United. When it’s time to work on homework or projects, he favors the Co-Lab on the third floor of Alden Library.

email: mh214621@ohio.edu

Megan Hastings is a current junior studying Engineering Technology and Management with minors in Business Administration and Communication Studies. She is pursuing her degree to work within the manufacturing industry to improve production processes, product design, or automation advancements.

Megan had two internships prior to her junior year. Most recently as a Systems Co-op at RoviSys in Aurora, Ohio, where she helped improved the efficiency of systems and collaborated with engineers on three different projects. Prior to that, Megan was a Quality Intern at Pulflex Technologies in Ford City, PA, where she created training records and standards, monitored production lines, and adjusted machinery to produce a part within specifications. She is pursuing another internship in a manufacturing or automation focus before graduating in the spring of 2026. After graduation she hopes to start a career aligning with her passions to help her improve and advance in the industry.

Outside of the classroom, Megan is the vice president of the Swim Club at Ohio University, where she runs practices and arranges swim meets for the team to compete in. She is also a Learning Community Leader where she helps first year students in their transition to campus and explore their chosen major. In her free time, Megan enjoys hanging out with her friends by going on hikes at Stroud’s Run or relaxing on a campus green.

si625521@ohio.edu

Sheil Iyer, now in his junior year, is the president of the Engineering Ambassador Program at Ohio University. A proud native of Columbus, Ohio, Sheil is pursuing dual degrees in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence; he looks to complete his education with a deeper understanding of technology and analytical problem-solving. He is a student-athlete, contributing his talents to Ohio University’s NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Team. A standout memory from his collegiate career was the privilege of playing at Oakmont Country Club with his teammates, though he finds joy in the competitive nature of the sport as a whole.

Looking forward, Sheil’s ambitions go beyond the world of computer science and artificial intelligence. While he aims to gain a strong technical foundation, his long-term goals include transitioning to the business side of technology. Sheil aspires to lead businesses forward by capitalizing on his technical acumen and competitiveness, potentially obtaining an MBA later in his career. He takes pride in his ability to inspire and motivate others, and he strives to cultivate a lasting legacy as an ambassador while laying the foundation for a meaningful professional future.

In the summer preceding his junior year, Sheil interned at Impower.ai, a technology consulting company. There, he specialized in software development and contributed to creating an agent-based AI framework. In his leisure time, Sheil enjoys reading about business trends, playing golf, drinking coffee, and traveling to new places – some of his favorite cities include Dubai, UAE, and Florence, Italy. He looks forward to collaborating with other engineering ambassadors through the next year, leveraging his expanded experiences and knowledge.

email: jk454120@ohio.edu

Julia is a senior in Industrial and Systems Engineering at Ohio University’s Russ College of Engineering. Her interest in math and problem-solving brought her to find a passion in ISE. She is from Avon, Ohio, and chose Ohio University during her college search. The ISE program along with testimonials she heard about the college brought her to this place that she has called home for the past three years.

Julia has intern experience at Neighborhood Alliance, a homeless shelter near her hometown. In this role, she got experience in general operations and lean principles at a non-profit. She also interned at Gogo Business Aviation, where she worked as a Lean Manufacturing Intern alongside the continuous improvement team. Most recently, she has worked at Kinship Community Food Center, a food pantry in Milwaukee. Julia has a passion for the non-profit field and would love to serve others through her engineering talents.

Around campus, Julia is the vice president of IISE (Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineering). She is also the president of OU Catholics and a writer for De Sales Journal. Julia is often found spending time with her friends, going for a run, or engaging in creative hobbies.

email: bl786520@ohio.edu

Braden is a senior civil engineering student with a surveying and construction management track from Norwalk, Ohio. From a young age, construction and engineering had piqued his interest, especially after building Legos and helping his dad with home improvement projects throughout the house. After touring Ohio University his senior year of high school, he knew Athens would be his home for the next four years to get his civil engineering degree.

In addition to serving as a Russ College Ambassador, Braden serves in various roles in civil engineering and construction groups. He currently serves as the treasurer of Ohio University’s ASCE chapter, the Construction Institute (CI) Representative on ASCE’s Student Presidential Group, and the student representative of the planning committee for the 2025 CI Summit. Braden is also a member of the OCA estimating team and the ASCE surveying team.

This past summer, Braden interned with Stacy Witbeck in Seattle on the Lynnwood Light Rail Extension. In his free time, you can find Braden spending time with family and friends, traveling and exploring new places to fish, officiating a volleyball or baseball game, and playing piano.

email: dm291721@ohio.edu

Dani Musi is a junior majoring in Mechanical Engineering, with aspirations to pursue a graduate degree in biomedical or materials engineering. Her ultimate goal is to build a career in research and development, where she can contribute to cutting-edge advancements in her field.

Dani has completed two internships at Parker Hannifin Aerospace in Mentor, Ohio, where she gained hands-on experience as a quality and manufacturing engineer. She played a key role in NADCAP audits, contributed to statistical process control projects, and worked to improve overall manufacturing efficiency. Currently, she is seeking a summer research experience focused on materials science, preparing for her graduation in Spring 2026.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Dani is a dedicated Mechanical Engineering Learning Community Leader, guiding first-year students as they navigate their transition into college life. Outside the classroom, she enjoys staying active through lifting and running, reading, and spending quality time with friends.

email address kn274621@ohio.edu

Karli Nadsady is a junior in Electrical Engineering on the Computer Engineering track. She is from Hudson, Ohio. Her decision to go to Ohio University was mostly influenced by the beautiful campus and welcoming atmosphere, but her family full of Bobcats was certainly supportive.

As well as being an Engineering Ambassador, she is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Bobcat Baja. She was recently elected to a position on the executive board for 4 Paws for Ability. Last semester she studied abroad in Ireland at the beautiful University of Galway. Looking to the future of her career at Ohio University, she hopes to take part in a research project before graduation. After obtaining her Bachelor’s, she aspires to pursue some form of graduate degree. Her dream career is in video game development or software engineering.

In Karli’s free time she loves singing and reading. Back home, she works for a local independent bookstore in Hudson called The Learned Owl Book Shop. She also misses taking her puppy, Piper, for walks and would love to show her OU’s beautiful campus. Ultimately, her favorite way to wind down is by puppy snuggles.

email: mp403422@ohio.edu

Megan Penn is a sophomore Computer Science student from Granville, Ohio. Her decision to major in Computer Science stemmed from attending the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Camp, focused on supporting girls in their exploration of technology. Coding is exciting to her as she loves the challenge of working from scratch to solve a problem and creating something that can help others.

Megan chose Ohio University for its small-town atmosphere and supportive environment. In her academic future, she is looking forward to joining a research project and developing her professional skills. She currently works as a tour guide for Ohio University’s Undergraduate Admissions, with the intent of fostering a welcoming environment for potential incoming students. Working with prospective students is her favorite part of the job, as she gets to help them navigate what can be a very stressful time in their lives. She also volunteers her time to tutor high school students in subjects like math and English.

In her free time, Megan enjoys going to Cedar Point, trying new recipes, playing video games, and listening to music. She also has a passion for drawing and painting that she’s been nurturing since she was a kid.

email: hp418420@ohio.edu

Hannah is a fourth-year student studying Engineering Technology and Management from Olmsted Falls, Ohio. Within her first year of high school, the engineering courses offered allows her to explore her interested in the field. Within those courses she was able to use computer design programs, work hands-on with woodworking, and operate CNC machines to further her interests. In the last year of high school, her family encouraged Ohio University as an option with the ETM degree program because of its hands-on classes and exciting curriculum.

Outside of Engineering Ambassadors, Hannah is involved in many organizations and departments around Ohio University. She is an Academic Coach in the Academic Achievement Center helping students to adjust to classes or simply to improve their academics. Additionally, she had been a Learning Community Leader for the past two years, focusing on helping first-year students adjust to college life and providing resources to help them succeed.

This past summer, Hannah had an amazing opportunity to co-op with Rovisys: Automation & Information Solutions. In this position, she was able to develop her skills in PLC programming, critical thinking, and learn about different aspects of engineering involved in the projects. These projects allowed Hannah to apply skills developed in the classroom and further her understanding of said skills.

In Hannah’s free time she enjoys lifting, listening to music, reading, and finding new fun activities around campus.

email: mr353020@ohio.edu

Madison Richey is a senior in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Youngstown, Ohio. She chose Ohio University because she fell in love with the campus and knew it just felt right when she first came down and toured, immediately deciding that this is where she would go to college. She chose to go into Civil Engineering because she was extremely interested in the environmental aspect of it, but she liked that civil had many different subdivisions, so if she ended up not liking one aspect of it, she could explore a different aspect while still getting a civil engineering degree. She has grown to love the construction management aspect of civil and is now in the process of getting her construction management certificate.

While at Ohio University, Madison has stayed active in different organizations. She is a member of Women’s Club Soccer Team and an active volunteer at the Athen’s County Dog Shelter, where she walks dogs and takes them to adoption events. She also works for the department of Well-Being and Recreation at Ohio University as a club sports supervisor.

Over the summers, Madison has interned as a construction inspector for both Cuyahoga County and Anser Advisory. She has got to be part of many different transportation projects through her internships, such as a road-widening project, a bridge reconstruction, and a new round-a-bout construction.

In her free time, Madison enjoys playing soccer, hanging out with her friends, traveling, reading, hiking, and paddleboarding at Stroud’s Run.

email: as339021@ohio.edu

Alec Sebrell is a junior electrical engineering student from Massillon, Ohio, just west of Canton. Exposure to STEM clubs and activities during middle school set him on the path of engineering that brought him to OHIO. He chose OHIO because of its status as an R1 research university and because of the vast alumni network that can provide connections and opportunities.

During his time at OHIO, Alec has had many opportunities including getting involved with research, a summer internship, and involvement in multiple student orgs. He does research with the Mechanical Behavior of Materials Group as a testing engineer with the goal of working up to circuit board design for data acquisition. His summer internship was at Marathon Petroleum’s Canton refinery as a reliability engineer, which provided him with experience in the refining industry.

Alec is also a member of the engineering ambassadors, IEEE, and is the president of Bobcat Baja. Being the president of a student organization allowed him to learn and grow his leadership and management skills. Outside of classes and clubs, he also enjoys repairing guitars and learning music.

email: as719820@ohio.edu

Ayden Smith is a senior chemical engineering major who grew up in Louisville, OH, a small town in Northeast Ohio about 15 minutes from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was drawn to Ohio University by the beauty of the campus and all the opportunities the Bobcat Community has to offer.

During his collegiate experience, Ayden became very involved in multiple organizations in the Russ College of Engineering. Ayden serves as the vice president of Tau Beta Pi: Honors Engineering Fraternity, Treasurer of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Treasurer of Theta Tau: Professional Co-Ed Engineering Fraternity, and the former President of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES).

During Ayden’s summers, he strengthened his commitment to chemical engineering by gaining hands-on experience through research and two internships. Ayden’s research at Ohio University focused on models for circulating tumor cells. He interned at ATI Specialty Rolled Products in Pittsburgh, PA as a Product/Process Engineer and at Delrin® USA, LLC as Chemical Engineer in Parkersburg, WV.

Some of Ayden’s hobbies is spending time with family and friends, bettering himself through exercise whether it be running, swimming, or lifting, and his new hobby … SCUBA diving, which he learned at Ohio University!

it935721@ohio.edu

Isabella Tucker is a junior studying Mechanical Engineering with a Certificate in Entrepreneurship. She enjoys attending Ohio University not only because of the location, but also because of the amazing people she has met within the community here.

After graduation, Isabella plans to stay at Ohio University and earn at least a master’s degree through the Russ College of Engineering.

Besides serving as an Engineering Ambassador, Isabella serves as the vice president for the Russ College BattleCats club and is an active member in the Society of Women Engineers organization. She recently started a new job as a Teaching Assistant for the first-year engineering graphics class, and previously worked as a student lab assistant for the Mechanical Engineering department. She is also completing a research-based project that focuses on understanding how the weather and climate are affecting small-scale farms in Southeastern Ohio.

Outside of classes and extracurriculars, Isabella enjoys being outdoors and is often mountain biking or hiking the trails local to Athens.

email: jw319220@ohio.edu

Julianna is a senior Chemical Engineering major from North Royalton, Ohio, near Cleveland. She knew she wanted to be a Chemical Engineer after going on a field trip to Hikma Pharmaceuticals with her Honors Chemistry II class in high school. She later fell in love Ohio University when she attended a Russ College accepted student visit with her older brother, who recently graduated from OHIO in Mechanical Engineering.

In addition to Chemical Engineering, Julianna is studying Biomedical Engineering through the Russ College’s 4+1 Accelerated Graduate Program. She will graduate with her master's degree in May 2026. She currently works as an Undergraduate Research Assistant in Dr. Goetz’s lab and will complete her thesis through this lab. Julianna also completed an internship this past summer at Checkpoint Surgical in Independence, OH. She worked in testing and product development of medical devices made with a biodegradable polymer used for nerve surgeries.

Besides serving as Vice President for Engineering Ambassadors, Julianna is involved in several other organizations on campus. She is Vice Regent of Theta Tau, a professional engineering fraternity, and Vice President of the American Institute of Chemical Engineering (AIChE). She is also a member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE).

Outside of classes and clubs, Julianna has a lifelong passion for baking. She also loves to spend time outdoors hiking, kayaking, and playing various sports.

email: mw421720@ohio.edu

Michael Wells is a senior Chemical Engineering student that grew up in Wilkesville, OH, a small village in Southeast Ohio. After receiving a few scholarships, he decided to go to OHIO. Once here, he quickly found close friends whom he now considers family and knew that this is where he was meant to be.

Through the university career fairs he was able to land two internships. His first summer internship was with Fluor-BWXT in Piketon, Ohio. He was working in the waste management department and helped with multiple projects involving radioactive waste. During his second internship at Austin Powder in McArthur, Ohio, he worked as a Chemical Engineer intern. While there he was able to sit on a PHA meeting, while working on other projects.

In his free time Michael is very active in the local Catholic church. He is a part of the local chapter of the Knights of Columbus and helps with the fish fry during lent. He also enjoys driving along the countryside, disc golfing, watching movies, visiting family, and hanging out with friends.

email: ew960721@ohio.edu

Elle Whelan is a junior studying Energy Engineering. She chose OHIO based on her choice of major as it is the only college in the state with energy engineering. She hopes to one day help to improve and expand the use of renewable energy. She is passionate about improving the environment and preserving it for future generations.

In the past summers, Elle has interned for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Davis Besse Nuclear Power Plant. These experiences have only furthered her interest in energy and the environment. During her time at OHIO, she has been a part of the sustainability infrastructure hub and Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity, and she serves as an executive board member for the Society of Women in Engineering. She is currently working for the Institute of Sustainable Energy and the Environment.

Outside of engineering, Elle enjoys spending time outside, rollerblading, and spending quality time with friends and family. Her favorite places at Ohio University are the Ridges and surrounding trails.

aw789921@ohio.edu

Andy Wildman is a current junior studying Industrial and Systems Engineering. He chose Ohio University because of the scenic campus, and his parents are OHIO graduates as well. He hopes to one day improve the value of humans’ impact on our world’s future. He is passionate about using his degree to help as many people as he can, making an impact locally and beyond.

This past summer, Andy interned with the ASCENT program, which is sponsored by Intel, here at Ohio University. These experiences have helped shape his perspective and goals and his future plans in ISE. During his time at OHIO, he has been a member of Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineering, the Great Lakes Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineering Conference Planning Committee, and the Marching 110 Band.

Outside of engineering, Andy enjoys hanging out with friends, playing the drums, traveling, and listening to music. His favorite places at Ohio University are Peden Stadium on game day and late nights in the ISE Lab.

email: lz400920@ohio.edu

Liz Zimmer is a senior studying Civil and Environmental Engineering. She chose OHIO because of the beautiful campus and the wonderful people here. The faculty, staff and fellow students have helped her develop and grow as a student, professional and person. She chose civil engineering because of her passion for protecting and improving the environment and communities.

During her time here, she has become a part of many student organizations including the American Society of Civil Engineers, Learning Communities, and the club tennis team.

During the summers, Liz has worked at many internships. This past summer she worked for AECOM’s water group and got to visit many cool distribution networks project sites happening in Nprtheast Ohio and learned important design skills.

Outside of engineering, Liz enjoys cooking, baking, playing tennis and traveling.