The Dean’s Team

The Dean’s Team is a diverse group of engineering students who serve in a recruiting capacity for the College of Engineering. The students span the disciplines available within the College and have had important, transformative co-curricular opportunities (co-ops, student design teams, student organizations, etc.) during their Akron Engineering Experience.

Kathleen Angel

Hometown
Randolph, OH
Major
Biomedical Engineering/Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering track
Year
4th year
Why UA College of Engineering
The campus is beautiful, and the engineering program is phenomenal! When I came to campus on my first visit, all the people were so nice and enthusiastic. How could I not choose UA?!
Why did you choose your major?
I've always been very interested in math and science and wanted to apply them in a way that would help people now and in the future. I want a job where I can design or research medical devices that have the possibility to help many people. Biomedical engineering hit everything on my future job wish list.

Ana Bacco

Hometown
Monterrey, Nuevo Leon Mexico
Major
Corrosion Engineering
Year
2nd year
Professional/Student Organizations
Member of the Corrosion Squad and Vice President of National Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
Why UA College of Engineering?
The University of Akron is the only college that has an undergraduate program in corrosion engineering and also has a good chemical engineering program. It is also close to home and has a beautiful campus.
Why did you choose your major?
Corrosion engineering is in major demand and applies to many fields.

John Baluch

Hometown
Chardon, Ohio
Major
Electrical Engineering
Year
Senior
Professional/Student Organizations
Formula SAE, IEEE, Project Management Institute, Toastmasters
Internship/Co-op Positions
Goodrich SIS, now UTC Aerospace Systems
Why UA College of Engineering?
The UA College of Engineering is a prestigious program that is quickly gaining national recognition. Before I transferred here, I asked many of my previous professors about The University of Akron and was surprised to find how many of them knew of this program.
Why did you choose your major?
I always felt that my future career, whatever it was, had to change the world in some way. I eventually realized that a degree in engineering was the best way that I could accomplish this.

Steven Callow

Hometown
Youngstown, OH
Major
Corrosion Engineering
Year
2015
Professional/Student Organizations
National Association of Corrosion Engineers, Corrosion Squad, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Engineering Student Council, National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Internship/Co-op Positions
Intern at BP America in Houston, TX
Why UA College of Engineering?
For me, The University of Akron was an obvious choice! When I first visited Akron as a senior in high school, I knew I had found the right school. The professors and students I met only had the most positive words for the University and the College of Engineering. Combining this with the close distance from home and great value, my college decision was easy!
Why did you choose your major?
I started in the fall of 2010 studying chemical engineering, and in the first weeks of school I learned the College was starting an undergraduate program in corrosion engineering. This peaked my interest so I began talking to many professors and the co-op office. I eventually decided to change my major to corrosion engineering. The greatest draw for me was the number of opportunities available to students both academically and professionally, as well as the prospect of helping to solve some of the country’s most serious problems.

Cory Cottrill

Hometown
Stow, OH
Major
Mechanical Engineering
Year
Graduating 2013
Professional/Student Organizations
EUREKA, Engineering Student Council, ASME, Toastmasters
Internship/Co-op Positions
Swagelok Company Co-Op Engineer (2010-2012), Full-Time starting 2013
Why UA College of Engineering?
UA offers an excellent program that rivals any other engineering program in the nation. Plus, we have the top co-op program in Ohio.
Why did you choose your major?
I chose mechanical engineering for the doors it can open in the professional world. Anything from product design to business management is possible with an engineering degree.

Matt Estock

Hometown
Ashtabula, OH
Major
Aerospace Systems Engineering
Year
Junior
Professional/Student Organizations
Aero Design Team
Internship/Co-op Positions
Co-op at PCC Airfoils in Mentor
Why UA College of Engineering
I chose the UA College of Engineering for a number of reasons. For one, it's a highly recognized program throughout NE Ohio. I was also exposed to the College quite a bit through my family - my dad earned a mechanical engineering degree and met my mom (medical technology major) here. My two older brothers recently graduated with degrees in mechanical engineering and chemical engineering. The co-op program was also a huge draw for me when comparing colleges. UA's co-op program has been around for decades with established relationships with local and national companies. Having real world experience in an engineering field upon graduating is a huge advantage when looking for a full-time job. When I combined these factors with the opportunity to be on successful student design teams, the choice to attend UA's College of Engineering was clear.
Why did you choose your major?
I chose to major in aerospace systems engineering mainly because I've always had an interest in flight and space. I loved riding in airplanes as a kid and I was always curious as to how planes "worked." I watched in awe as the space shuttles lifted off the launch pads into space and would think, "Wow, I would love to be a part of that!" As far as the program goes, it’s the first in the nation to combine aerospace and systems engineering. One of the reasons behind that is companies in the aerospace industry have a major need for engineers with a background in systems engineering. A lot of the engineers in the industry have recently retired and companies are looking for people with this skill set to replace them. Many local companies, including NASA Glenn, were very positive about the program while it was in development. The prospects of getting a full-time job after graduating looked very good, especially since these companies are eager to hire someone with this background.

Mark Floro

Hometown
Mentor, OH
Major
Civil Engineering
Year
Senior
Professional/Student Organizations
ASCE, Steel Bridge Team
Internships/Co-op Positions
Three Co-ops with Encore Construction Company
Why UA College of Engineering?
I chose The University of Akron because it was close to my hometown, cheaper than most schools and has a great engineering program.
Why did you choose your major?
I chose civil engineering because I always enjoyed large scale projects. I liked working with my hands and actually building things. I like figuring out problems, and it seemed to be a great fit for me.

Nicholas Fragaskatos

Hometown
Green, OH
Major
Computer Engineering
Year
Senior, graduating May 2013
Professional/Student Organizations
Robo Waiter Design Team, Undergraduate Wireless Research Assistant, Habitat for Humanity
Internship/Co-op Positions
Software Engineer at Diebold Inc.
Why UA College of Engineering?
UA College of Engineering is one of the best engineering schools in Ohio. With its great reputation, co-op program and locality, it was an easy decision.
Why did you choose your major?
I have always been interested in the way computers and electronics work, so I knew I wanted to major in a degree that would allow me to learn how these technologies worked, but would also teach me to develop and engineer my own.

Pierre Hall

Hometown
Cleveland, Ohio
Major
Electrical Engineering
Year
Senior
Professional/Student Organizations
IDEAs, SHPE, NSBE, Formula One Electric
Internship/Co-op Positions
Myers Motors Battery Engineer; Honda Americans R&D Electrical Systems Engineer
Why UA College of Engineering?
After talking with the faculty and staff, I really enjoyed how personable they were and the opportunities to do research.
Why did you choose your major?
I’ve always had an interest in how things worked, especially electrical hardware things like my old Nintendo and TV remote. I always played around with them when I was younger and wanted to learn how to design things like that, or build anything I want to make.

Ben Harvey

Hometown
Twinsburg, Ohio
Major
Mechanical Engineering
Year
Graduate December 2013
Professional/Student Organizations
Engineering IDEA’s Tutor, Formula Electric SAE Team
Internship/Co-op Positions
Co-op at PCC Airfoils, Goodrich Power Systems
Why UA College of Engineering
I choose UA for engineering because they have one of the best engineering programs in Northeast Ohio, with a lot to offer. The great co-op program and job placement rate really drove me to choose UA.
Why did you choose your major?
I choose mechanical engineering because I am a very hands-on person interested in how things are built and put together. Now after learning the processes for creating different components and how much design and work go in to one part, it gives me the drive to create something of my own.

Connie Hollo

Hometown
Parma, OH
Major
Civil Engineering
Year
5th year Senior
Professional/Student Organizations
President of American Society of Civil Engineers, President of Engineering Student Council, Member of Steel Bridge Team, Member of Concrete Canoe Team
Internship/Co-op Positions
Structural Analyst at GPD Group, Akron, OH; Estimator and Field Engineer at Turner Construction, Houston, TX
Why UA College of Engineering?
I chose The University of Akron because of the great campus, facilities and the co-op program.
Why did you choose your major?
I was always good at math and science, so I chose engineering. I then chose Civil because I've always liked to build things and Civils do just that!

Zahi Kakish

Hometown
Bath, OH
Major
Mechanical Polymer Engineering
Year
5th Year Senior
Professional/Student Organization
President of Tau Beta Pi, Vice-President of Engineering Student Council
Internship/Co-op Positions
Product Development Engineer, The Little Tikes Company.
Why UA College of Engineering?
I chose UA Engineering because it was a college that strived for excellence and practicality in its methodology for teaching. Not only did we learn the material needed for engineering, we learned the soft skills, technical skills and practical skills that make us great engineers.
Why did you choose your major?
The University of Akron had the best accredited Mechanical Polymer Engineering in the nation. This was a major selling point for me since it peaked my interest in materials as well as mechanics!

Kevin Knapp

Hometown
Atwater, OH
Major
Chemical Engineering
Year
Senior
Professional/Student Organizations
Member of AIChE, AS850 in Air Force ROTC program
Internship/Co-op Positions
Goodrich Corporation (United Technologies Aerospace Systems) - Materials Department
Why UA College of Engineering?
I chose UA College of Engineering because of its exceptional reputation, broad area of opportunities, affordability and location.
Why did you choose your major?
I always had a strong affinity for chemistry and math, and I wanted to see how far I could push the envelope.

Matt McCreary

Hometown
Kent, Ohio
Major
Civil Engineering
Year
Senior
Professional/Student Organizations (including Design Teams)
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), ASCE Steel Bridge, Boy Scouts of America
Internship/Co-op Positions
Ulliman Schutte Construction, Co-op Project Engineer/Estimator
Why UA College of Engineering?
UA is close to home, allowing me to save a little bit of money each year by commuting daily to campus. It also had a better civil engineering program compared to the other engineering schools that I visited.
Why did you choose your major?
Civil engineers have the opportunity to work outdoors, in addition to being in the office. I enjoy being outdoors, and having to be stuck inside all day, every day would not have worked for me.

Alexis Ostrander

Hometown
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Major
Biomedical Engineering (Minor in Spanish)
Year
4th Year
Professional/Student Organizations
EUREKA-Honors Engineering (Co-President), Engineering Student Council (Secretary), Omicron Delta Kappa - National Leadership Honors Society, The National Society of Leadership and Success, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Engineering Dean's Team, Biomedical Engineering Society
Internships/Co-op Positions
IT Intern - Central Intelligence Agency, Langley, Virginia
Why UA College of Engineering
I chose UA College of Engineering because it has a great engineering program paired with an amazing campus. The College of Engineering has so many opportunities for students, whether it is through the many student organizations and design teams or through the co-op office for future employment. I am very happy with my choice of The University of Akron.
Why did you choose your major?
I chose biomedical engineering because I have always been interested in the medical field and have excelled in both math and science. Biomedical engineering was the perfect way to put all of my interests into one major. I plan to pursue a Master’s degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics because I want to work with people and make a positive impact in their lives.

Daniel Pramik

Hometown
Barberton, OH
Major
Computer Engineering
Year
Senior - Graduating May 2013
Professional/Student Organizations
Robo Waiter Design Team, Undergrad Teaching Assistant, Bowling Club
Internship/Co-op Positions
Software Development Co-Op - PCC Airfoils, Process Engineer Co-Op - Glatfelter
Why UA College of Engineering?
The University of Akron College of Engineering has an amazing reputation. Combined with the incredible Co-op program and placement numbers, the College of Engineering was an easy decision.
Why did you choose your major?
An interest in computers and electronics greatly influenced my decision for my major. I wanted to learn how to build, manipulate, and improve these systems.

Laura Vondeak

Hometown
Medina, Ohio
Major
Biomedical Engineering, Biomechanics Track
Year
Graduating May 2013
Professional/Student Organizations
Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Internship/Co-op Positions
Research Assistant in Autonomous Systems Laboratory at The University of Akron
Why UA College of Engineering?
I chose The University of Akron because it is close to home and has a good reputation.
Why did you choose your major?
I have always been interested in the mechanics of the human body and the ways that it adapts after injury. An engineering project to me is one long word problem, which I like. I enjoy problem solving, and it is even more interesting to me when I am able to use a tool that I have just learned in class or through research. Until I came to engineering, I thought that I was the only one who found that fun, but now I am among a community of people like me.