Skip navigation links

Nov. 11, 2024

Strengthening Michigan’s engineering muscle

Fueled by innovative faculty and dedicated partners in industry and government, MSU’s College of Engineering prepares its 7,100 students to join the technology sector which is key to continued economic development in Michigan.

Over the past five years, 58% of College of Engineering alumni have started their professional careers in Michigan. And Spartan engineers are hired by more than 500 companies, including prominent Michigan-based enterprises like General Motors, Ford and Rocket. In fact, automotive companies are the top employers of MSU College of Engineering graduates — General Motors and Ford have hired 250 Spartans in the last five years.

Dauan Hendley Jr. in a yellow car
Dauan Hendley Jr.

After earning his electrical engineering degree in 2024, Detroit native Dauan Hendley Jr. followed his father and grandfather into Michigan’s automotive industry. Hendley is currently designing new and improved electric vehicles as a battery development engineer at Nissan.

"I'm excited to contribute to a new wave of automotive innovation in Michigan," Hendley says.

MSU continues to create learning opportunities that prepare students to solve modern engineering challenges. For example, Technology Engineering, a new undergraduate program integrating technology, computer science and engineering, recently launched to address the challenges presented in our interconnected world.

Given student demand and industry needs, the college expects to welcome 1,500 additional students interested in computer science, materials science, cybersecurity, data science and machine learning when the Engineering and Digital Innovation Center opens. The new space will offer innovative options for interdisciplinary teaching, research and industry collaboration.

"Bringing different disciplines under one roof reduces the barriers for conversations and helps us focus on working toward solutions that benefit society,” says Christina Chan, University Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science. “It also supports collaboration among research, teaching and industry, which has significant impact on our workforce and economy."

See the entire talent pipeline story by Daniel P. Smith and Deon Foster on MSUToday.

MSU College of Engineering Media and Public Relations page

Read more news