By Robert K. McMahan

As a university president and parent of two recent college graduates, I understand well the pressure on high school students to make wise decisions on where to continue their education. The quality of teaching and research programs, cost, location, athletics, extracurriculars and whether you feel “at home” on campus all matter, but there's a crucially important factor that too many students and their families overlook: how well your school will prepare you for life after graduation.

ɫ����Ƶ has expanded the capabilities of its Intelligent Transportation Lab (ITL) thanks to a $40,000 grant from the Margaret Dunning Foundation. The funding supported upgrades to the lab’s equipment and space, ensuring students and faculty have access to advanced tools for real-world vehicle testing, research, and innovation.

The ITL, connected to ɫ����Ƶ’s Mechanical Engineering program, gives students hands-on experience with the technologies used in today’s evolving mobility industry. It supports work in vehicle dynamics, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), ride quality analysis, and subsystem validation.

Recent ITL enhancements include professional-grade equipment such as a multi-channel data acquisition system, advanced sensors, and Controller Area Network (CAN) interface hardware. The improvements will support collaborative research and student projects, including developing ɫ����Ƶ’s Formula SAE Electric race car and vibration testing for industry partners like Yokohama Tire.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Margaret Dunning Foundation for supporting the ITL,” said Dr. Jennifer Bastiaan, associate professor of Mechanical Engineering at ɫ����Ƶ. “This gift has enabled us to transform an already high-impact lab into a next-level learning and research environment, training students in the skills that industry demands and innovation requires.”

The ITL is key to ɫ����Ƶ’s commitment to giving students early, hands-on opportunities to solve complex problems using today’s industry-standard technology. By integrating real data, real vehicles, and real testing scenarios into coursework and Co-op experiences, the lab equips students to lead in Michigan’s mobility sector and beyond.

About the Margaret Dunning Foundation

The Margaret Dunning Foundation was founded by Ms. Dunning in 1997. She was born in 1910 in Redford Township, Michigan, and moved with her mother to Plymouth in the 1920s. During her lifetime, Ms. Dunning was a successful businesswoman, philanthropist, and classic car enthusiast, often participating in the Woodward Dream Cruise in her 1930 Packard 740 Roadster. Ms. Dunning passed away in 2015 at the age of 104. Her estate provided additional funding for the Foundation, which continues to support her charitable interests and preserve her legacy. Learn more at.

ɫ����Ƶ’s Marketing and Communications (UMC) team isn’t just winning awards — they’re setting the standard. At the 2024 American Advertising Awards (ADDYs) of Greater Flint, ɫ����Ƶ’s Brand Anthem, filmed in partnership with Carnegie Higher Ed, earned the coveted Best in Show award, the night’s top honor in the professional category.

This distinction places ɫ����Ƶ’s bold, high-impact messaging — “Not for Everyone. For You.” — at the forefront of creative excellence, standing out among the best work in the region. Judges praised the campaign's fearless approach, dynamic storytelling, and unique brand identity. In addition to winning Best in Show, ɫ����Ƶ took home three Gold ADDYs and one Silver, reinforcing the power of its brand storytelling and design.

Best in Show:

• ɫ����Ƶ Brand Anthem

Gold ADDYs:

• Film, Video, & Sound – ɫ����Ƶ Brand Anthem
• Print, Direct Mail Campaign – Undergraduate Direct Mail Pieces
• Print Magazine, Ads – ɫ����Ƶ Magazine 

Silver ADDY:

• Integrated Branded Content Campaign - ɫ����Ƶ Brand Content

Held on February 28 at Warwick Hills Country Club, the ADDY Awards recognized the region's most outstanding advertising and marketing work. ɫ����Ƶ’s gold awards moved forward to the regional multi-state competition.

ɫ����Ƶ’s UMC team also brought home multiple CUPPIE Awards at the 2025 CUPRAP Conference on  March 13 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, competing against over 400 entries from higher education institutions nationwide.

CUPPIE Awards:

• Gold – Digital - Short Form Video - Brand Anthem Video
• Silver – Marketing/Advertising - Outdoor
• Bronze – Marketing/Advertising - Branding Campaign
• Honorable Mention – Public Relations - Special Events/Virtual Events -Commencement 2025

The Carnegie and ɫ����Ƶ team also earned two awards at the 40th Annual Educational Advertising Awards. The Educational Advertising Awards is the largest educational advertising awards competition in the country. This year, over 2,000 entries were received from over 1,000 colleges, universities, and secondary schools from all fifty states and numerous foreign countries.

EDU Awards:

• Silver – ɫ����Ƶ UG Visit Display Ads
• Bronze – ɫ����Ƶ Mobile Footprint Display Ads

ɫ����Ƶ’s “Not for Everyone. For You.” campaign isn’t just a slogan — it’s a declaration. It speaks directly to those ready for the challenge, the rigor, and the career-defining opportunities ɫ����Ƶ offers. These most recent ADDY, CUPPIE, and EDU awards prove that the message resonates and that ɫ����Ƶ’s approach cuts through the noise in higher education marketing. It also proves that the University’s brand is as bold and focused as the students it attracts.

174 students. Eleven teams. Six competitions. One trophy. Cranbrook’s computer science team came out on top — and showed why they’re ready to code their future.

Not everyone sees a coding competition as a proving ground. But the students who showed up for ɫ����Ƶ’s first-ever Bulldog Battles? They weren’t like everyone else.

Over the course of six-weekday competitions held on the ɫ����Ƶ campus, more than 170 students from 11 Michigan high schools went head-to-head in a series of team-based computer programming challenges. Powered by Ford Motor Company and ɫ����Ƶ’s Computer Science Department, the Bulldog Battles pushed students to collaborate under pressure, debug in real-time, and solve complex problems that mirrored the challenges of a modern tech career.

“It’s not about writing the perfect code the first time,” said Joni Applefield, co-president of Cranbrook’s Computer Science Club. “It’s about learning how to think differently — how to fail fast and try again.”

Applefield, a senior at Cranbrook, led her team to victory with a record-breaking score, helping the school earn top marks in both individual and team performance. Cranbrook students placed in the top three overall among all 174 competitors.

In his remarks at the trophy presentation, Chuck Gray ’87, Ford Motor Company Vice President of Vehicle Hardware Engineering, recalled how a similar experience inspired his own path.

“One day, you’re sitting in the audience. The next, you’re designing what’s next for the industry,” he said. “The recipe is simple: curiosity, capability, and a real-world education that starts before graduation. That’s what ɫ����Ƶ delivers.”

From Idea to Impact

The Bulldog Battles grew from the single-day hackathon that ɫ����Ƶ also held. But when ɫ����Ƶ’s enrollment and computer science teams imagined something bigger — six events, twelve schools, and a championship trophy — the idea gained momentum.

“We believed in the students,” said Chris Nelson, administrative specialist in ɫ����Ƶ’s Computer Science Department. “And we knew this kind of challenge could change the game.”

With financial support from Ford, ɫ����Ƶ purchased 50 new laptops, secured travel and supply resources, and brought high school teams from Saginaw, Macomb, Oxford, Holt, Lake Orion, and more to campus. General Determination — ɫ����Ƶ’s mascot — welcomed each team, and students received swag, lunch, and a whole day immersed in the campus culture and competition.

ɫ����Ƶ’s Model in Action

As teams rotated through problem-solving rounds, they found support in ɫ����Ƶ faculty, staff, and current students, many of whom are already earning patents, coding autonomous vehicles, and helping Co-op employers across the country innovate faster.

“We wanted high school students to see what’s possible here,” said Matt Fortescue, Director of Enrollment. “Our 50-50 academic and Co-op model is all about building real experience early, and these battles gave them a glimpse of that world.”

Big Wins, Bigger Lessons

In the final event, Cranbrook returned with a new lineup of younger teammates — sophomores stepping up after seniors passed the torch. They scored even higher than the original team and completed the only 50- and 60-point problems in the entire competition series.

“They’re already thinking like leaders,” Nelson said. “Not just about solving problems — but about passing on what they’ve learned.”

The trophy now lives on Cranbrook’s campus, a physical reminder of the resilience, collaboration, and competitive drive that define both the computer science students and ɫ����Ƶ.

Ready to take on your own challenge?
Start building your future with real work, real results, and real impact.
Learn more about ɫ����Ƶ’s Computer Science program.

Hosted at ɫ����Ƶ’s GM Mobility Research Center (MRC), the MichAuto Mobility Meetup on March 20 brought together Michigan’s mobility leaders, engineers, entrepreneurs, and educators for an evening focused on building connections among innovators across the state. Co-hosted by MichAauto — an initiative of the Detroit Regional Chamber — and the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, the event connected automotive and manufacturing leaders, start-ups, service firms, and students around a shared goal: accelerating what’s next in mobility. Guests also toured the MRC, a 21-acre proving ground for testing autonomous vehicles, electric propulsion systems, and sensor technologies. 

At the Intersection of Industry and Education

Jennifer Umberger, Vice President for University Marketing and Communications, welcomed attendees and emphasized the University’s legacy as a talent engine for the automotive and mobility industries. “Whether you’ve known us as GMI or as ɫ����Ƶ, we’ve always existed to build the future of industry — and the talent that powers it,” she said.

ɫ����Ƶ’s 50-50 model — equal parts rigorous academics and paid full-time Co-op — equips every student with up to two and a half years of real-world experience by the time they graduate. “That’s why our graduates are hired not just to contribute — but to lead,” Umberger added.

MichAuto: Driving Michigan’s Mobility Leadership

MichAuto is focused on strengthening Michigan’s role as a global mobility leader by advancing public-private partnerships, business innovation, and talent development. Its Mobility Meetup series creates opportunities for industry leaders, educators, startups, and students to collaborate in meaningful ways that grow careers and companies alike.

Investing in Michigan’s Talent Pipeline

Suzanne Petrusch, Interim Vice President of Enrollment, spotlighted ɫ����Ƶ’s leadership in the Michigander Scholars Program, which provides $5,000 to students who complete a Co-op with a Michigan employer or $10,000 to students who spend 12 months or more working full-time in the state after graduation.

“ɫ����Ƶ has named more Michigander Scholars than any other participating university,” Petrusch said. “That’s a reflection of our Co-op depth, employer partnerships, and our students’ readiness to drive real results — right here in Michigan.”

Built for What’s Next

The Mobility Meetup at ɫ����Ƶ wasn’t just a networking event but a proving ground for collaboration. For students, it reinforced how education and industry can work hand in hand. For employers, it showcased the next generation of problem solvers ready to lead Michigan’s mobility evolution. And for the state, it highlighted the power of shared investment in talent, innovation, and impact.

For ɫ����Ƶ senior Scotty Grunwald ’26, an electrical engineering major from Riverview, Michigan, engineering has always been about more than theory — it’s about building real solutions. When he encountered the University’s newest robotic cell, he gained another opportunity to work hands-on with ɫ����Ƶ’s state-of-the-art robotic system, built in collaboration with Patti Engineering, Mitsubishi Electric, and Keyence Corporation.

“This was my first real attempt at a full automation system,” Grunwald said. “It was a lot harder than it looks on paper, but that’s what made it so valuable.”

The robotic cell, installed in ɫ����Ƶ’s engineering lab, gives students direct experience in programming and debugging industrial automation. Featuring an industrial robot and a collaborative robot, the cell performs pick-and-place operations, complete with a 3D vision system and industrial robot for unstructured material arrival, as well as the collaborative robot and a stationary camera for inspection. A flexible code base allows students to modify programming and test their solutions while safety features remain locked in place. The result is a hands-on learning tool that mirrors state-of-the-art challenges met with the precision of real-world manufacturing automation.

“Our students want to work on things that are meaningful,” said ɫ����Ƶ lecturer Andrew Watchorn. “This system puts cutting-edge automation technology in front of them, allowing them to see the impact of their problem-solving in real-time. That hands-on experience builds deep expertise — the kind that sets ɫ����Ƶ graduates apart in industry.”

The vision for the robotic cell began with Sam Hoff ’90, CEO of Patti Engineering. As a ɫ����Ƶ alumnus, Hoff knows firsthand the power of hands-on education and saw an opportunity to give students an advantage in automation and robotics. He approached Mitsubishi Electric with the idea, and together with Keyence, BorgWarner, and ɫ����Ƶ faculty, they brought the concept to life.

“We are proud to support ɫ����Ƶ’s engineering students by providing this state-of-the-art robotic cell,” Hoff said. “This tool will offer invaluable practical experience and help equip students with the skills necessary for success in the rapidly evolving field of robotics and automation.”

For Grunwald, the experience was transformative. Although his early interests leaned toward circuit design and programming, working with the robotic cell changed how he thought about automation.

“This project definitely gave me an edge in the job market,” he said. “I can say, ‘I’ve worked with Mitsubishi PLCs before. I’ve programmed Mitsubishi robots.’ Even working with HMIs [human-machine interfaces] — it all adds to my portfolio and sets me apart.”

Few students outside of ɫ����Ƶ gain that competitive edge. Grunwald frequently compares notes with friends from other universities, many of whom lack access to industrial-grade automation systems.

“None of them really have experience with anything purely automation-based,” he said. “They might have a small robot in a lab, but nothing like this — nothing that could go straight into an industrial environment.”

ɫ����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 ɫ����Ƶ’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 ɫ����Ƶ’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 ɫ����Ƶ.

“Enza’s work in reshaping our Co-op and Career Design team has been exceptional,” said ɫ����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.

“ɫ����Ƶ 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 ɫ����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 ɫ����Ƶ 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.”

ɫ����Ƶ announced today it has received over $1.6 million in funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) through the Higher Education Strategic Initiatives. ɫ����Ƶ underscores its leading role in educating Michigan’s next generation of engineers and innovators by developing cutting-edge curricula in semiconductors, hydrogen fuel, and software engineering through these grants.

The MEDC grant funding is just the latest in a broad effort to advance Michigan’s semiconductor, electric vehicle (EV), and mobility sectors, making certain the state remains a leader in advanced manufacturing.

“ɫ����Ƶ’s experiential educational model has always been focused on developing leaders that will shape the future,” said Dr. Robert K. McMahan, President of ɫ����Ƶ. “This funding accelerates our ability to prepare Michigan’s workforce while enhancing our capacity to equip it with the critical skills and hands-on experiences necessary to thrive in industries that will define the economy of the state for decades.”

MEDC awarded ɫ����Ƶ four distinct grants as part of its Higher Education Strategic Initiatives:

1. Semiconductor Curriculum Development ($320,882): Supporting the expansion of courses and resources designed to meet Michigan’s growing need for semiconductor expertise.
2. Hydrogen Fuel Curriculum ($354,202): Creating innovative programs focused on the future of hydrogen fuel technologies, ensuring students are equipped with the skills and knowledge for cutting-edge industries.
3. Software Engineering Curriculum ($287,432): Enabling the development of new courses and acquiring specialized equipment to prepare students for careers in software development and advanced systems.
4. PK-12 Engagement ($53,324): Launching summer hackathon camps to engage young students in engineering and advanced manufacturing through hands-on learning experiences.  These programs are designed to inspire the next generation of talent and provide pathways to real-world careers in high-demand fields.

In addition to curriculum grants, ɫ����Ƶ has also secured additional funding from the MEDC Talent Solutions division for The Michigander Scholars Program, providing $5,000 and scholarships to students completing Co-ops in Michigan with select employers (many of whom are already Co-op employer partners for ɫ����Ƶ.) The program also helps retain top engineering talent in the state by offering $10,000 incentives for students who commit to a full-time position, staying in Michigan for at least one year after graduation.

“We’re excited about the continued partnership with ɫ����Ƶ to nurture and develop the next generation of mobility professionals who can pursue opportunities in Michigan that offer higher-paying jobs and career advancement while at the same time building a strong pipeline of future Michigan mobility leaders,” said MEDC Executive Vice President, Chief of Talent Solutions and Engagement Officer Kerry Ebersole Singh. “The MEDC Talent Solutions division is committed to creating stronger pathways to 21st-century careers that will help cultivate, attract, and retain young talent while showcasing Michigan as a hub for a future-ready workforce essential to building a stronger economy.”

The MEDC’s Talent Solutions division consortium of EV/mobility and semiconductors partners includes more than 20 major employers and national industry groups, 17 higher education partners, and workforce and PK-12 leaders across Michigan. 

The MEDC grants to ɫ����Ƶ are part of a combined total of nearly $30 million the MEDC has invested with Michigan’s higher education institutions that are working with advanced manufacturing employers to design and deliver a curriculum that prepares students for in-demand mobility-related careers. 

During an April press conference announcing the inaugural Michigander Scholars class, employers had the opportunity to share how ɫ����Ƶ’s 50/50 blend of rigorous academics and paid professional Co-op experience fits their needs. “To say we're excited about seeing the scholars is an understatement,” said Mike Houston, Engineering and Service Manager at Hemlock Semiconductor. “We're extremely proud of our Co-op… That's the story we want to tell across the entire state… The program that ɫ����Ƶ has is exactly what we need. We need to be able to take the academics and shape it into a real-world experience. Tweak it. Calibrate it… to form a full-time employee.”

“ɫ����Ƶ continues to stand as the leading partner for Michigan’s employers in advanced manufacturing, electric vehicles, and semiconductor technology,” said Dr. McMahan. “Our educational model, pairing academics with our deep industry partnerships, ensures that our students not only master the essential skills needed to excel but also begin making an immediate impact on the industries they serve, driving innovation and economic growth.”

These grants provide ɫ����Ƶ with resources to further enhance its renowned educational Co-op model through June 30, 2026. The $1.6 million in funding, including the Michigander Scholars Program, enables the University to expand Michigan’s talent pipeline and drive long-term economic growth in key industries.

Meeting the Urgent Demand for Semiconductor Talent with a High-Intensity, Industry-Focused Program

ɫ����Ƶ is launching an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Semiconductor Materials and Devices, an industry-driven program designed for students ready to lead in the rapidly evolving semiconductor industry. Built for those who thrive in demanding, hands-on environments, this program maintains ɫ����Ƶ’s high academic standards while delivering an efficient, immersive path to industry leadership.

A Future-Focused Degree

The semiconductor industry is at a turning point. Every modern technology — from smartphones to medical devices, electric vehicles to national defense systems — relies on semiconductors. Yet, the U.S. faces a critical shortage of engineers and scientists with the expertise to power the industry’s next chapter.

With global semiconductor supply chains under strain and the CHIPS and Science Act injecting billions into reshoring semiconductor manufacturing, the demand for highly skilled semiconductor professionals is skyrocketing. Industry leaders predict tens of thousands of new, high-paying jobs will emerge in the coming years, yet there aren’t enough trained experts to fill them.

That’s where ɫ����Ƶ comes in.

“ɫ����Ƶ’s educational model was built for industry, and the design of our new bachelor’s degree in semiconductors is a natural extension of that legacy,” said ɫ����Ƶ President Dr. Robert K. McMahan. “This is the first accelerated STEM degree of its kind and a high-intensity path designed to prepare students to lead in the semiconductor revolution. It provides students an opportunity to master the science and engineering of semiconductors faster while also preserving the deep industry engagement that defines a ɫ����Ƶ education.”

A Workforce Solution for a Critical Industry

Semiconductors are often called the “brains” of modern technology. They are at the heart of advancements in AI, automotive automation, telecommunications, aerospace, and renewable energy. Without a robust semiconductor workforce, innovation stalls.

ɫ����Ƶ’s new program directly addresses this challenge, preparing students to:

●     Engineer the future of microelectronics – Mastering materials synthesis, quantum physics, photonics, and semiconductor fabrication.

●     Drive U.S. semiconductor manufacturing forward – Learning from industry-aligned faculty with expertise in materials science, optoelectronics, and solid-state physics.

●     Enter the workforce faster – Completing an intensive 115-credit curriculum in less than four years with built-in Co-op industry experience at leading semiconductor and advanced manufacturing companies.

Key Program Features: Built for Impact

●     Fast track without shortcuts – A full-scale curriculum covering semiconductor materials, devices, and fabrication delivered in a high-intensity, industry-focused format.

●     Industry-integrated learning – Four required Co-op work terms provide hands-on, paid experience with semiconductor, materials, and advanced manufacturing companies.

●     Cutting-edge technology – Students will gain hands-on experience with environmental scanning electron microscopes (ESEM), X-ray diffractometers (XRD), photonics labs, Synopsys semiconductor software, and electronic design automation (EDA) tools—the same technologies driving innovation worldwide.

●     Interdisciplinary foundation – A rigorous blend of physics, chemistry, and engineering prepares students for leadership in one of the world’s most critical industries.

●     Accreditation-driven design – The program is structured to meet ABET accreditation standards and align with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

A Program Rooted in ɫ����Ƶ’s Legacy of Industry Leadership

For over a century, ɫ����Ƶ has shaped the future of engineering, technology, and manufacturing — producing top talent for automotive, mobility, and advanced technology industries. As the U.S. semiconductor industry undergoes rapid expansion, ɫ����Ƶ is once again stepping up to engineer the workforce of the future.

“This program is a direct response to national and industry needs,” said Dr. James Zhang, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. “ɫ����Ƶ has a long history of adapting education to align with industry demands, and this degree exemplifies that commitment. By combining an accelerated curriculum with deep Co-op engagement, we are preparing students for high-impact careers in a field that is critical to national security and technological innovation.”

Engineering the Leaders of the Semiconductor Revolution

Semiconductor technology is advancing faster than ever. From the development of next-generation chips that power AI to new materials driving quantum computing and photonics, the future depends on experts who can bridge science and industry.

“This program is designed for those ready to push boundaries and take on industry challenges,” said Dr. Daniel Ludwigsen, Head of the Department of Natural Sciences. “Semiconductor technology requires expertise across physics, chemistry, and engineering. Our faculty have deep expertise in materials science, optoelectronics, and quantum physics, and this program leverages that strength to ensure students graduate ready to solve real-world semiconductor challenges from day one.”

Are You Ready to Build the Future?

This is not a program for students looking for shortcuts. It’s built for those ready to step up, take on industry-defining challenges, and lead in the next generation of semiconductor technology.

*An application for this new program has been submitted to the accreditor and is pending HLC approval.

The VEX Robotics State Championship returned to ɫ����Ƶ on February 21 and 22, bringing together 80 teams and 800 of Michigan’s top robotics students for a fast-paced, high-stakes competition that challenged their technical skills, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.

“ɫ����Ƶ is proud to host the VEX Robotics State Championship because we know the students competing today are the engineers, coders, and industry leaders of tomorrow,” said Kim Shumaker, Director of Robotics Outreach & Robotics Center at ɫ����Ƶ. “VEX students already think like ɫ����Ƶ students — they thrive on solving complex problems, working hands-on, and pushing their skills to the next level. That’s exactly what we do at ɫ����Ƶ.”

This premier robotics event was the culmination of a season of regional qualifiers, where top teams from across Michigan earned their place to compete for a chance to advance to the VEX World Championship. 

The VEX Robotics Competition challenged teams of high school students to design, build, and program robots to complete a specific game challenge. This year’s game, High Stakes, required teams to strategically maneuver their robots to score points by completing a series of technical and tactical objectives.

Teams competed in qualification matches Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, after which they were ranked based on their performance. The top-ranked teams then formed alliances and advanced to the elimination tournament, where they battled head-to-head in a bracket-style playoff leading to the championship match.

In addition to the main tournament, teams competed in the Skills Challenge, in which they attempted to score as many points as possible in driver-controlled and autonomous robot programming modes. Success in this event provided additional pathways to move on in competition. The following teams earned the ability to compete at the VEX World Championship this May in Texas:

• Team #39H “HNS” from Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills
• Team #244D “RoboDawgs: Detritus” from Grandville Community Education in Grandville
• Team #7760X “Airplane Mode” from Bloomfield Hills
• Team #39V “Volt” from Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills
• Team #248A “RoboDawgs: Starfall” from Grandville Robotics in Grandville
• Team #8626K “KACHIGGA” from Grand Rapids
• Team #36620A “Blue Crew” from Unity Christian High School in Hudsonville
• Team #39K “Rest in Pieces” from Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills
• Team #11591S “Siege” from Plainwell High School in Plainwell
• Team #3333W “Power of the Square” from Notre Dame Prep in Pontiac

Consumers Energy was the event’s title sponsor this year, reinforcing its commitment to investing in Michigan’s future STEM leaders.

“Consumers Energy knows our customers count on us every day for reliable energy, and we’re counting on the next generation of Michigan students to join us in our commitment to Michigan,” said Greg Salisbury, Consumers Energy’s vice president of electric grid design. “We’re excited to partner with ɫ����Ƶ for the VEX championship and to cheer on student teams who are showing off their work in the High Stakes competition.”

The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) sponsored the Robot Safety Award. “A3 was honored to support the 2025 VEX Robotics State Championship at ɫ����Ƶ University. Youth robotics competitions play a crucial role in preparing students to become an integral part of the future workforce in Robotics, AI, Smart Manufacturing, and Automation. Through their schools, communities, and clubs, students collaborated as teams to design, build, test, and operate robots — developing essential skills that align with the needs of more than 1,300 A3 member companies worldwide,” Said Ritch Ramey, A3 Director of Education. “Beyond building robots, these students gained the ability to create intelligent systems that can see, feel, sense, and make autonomous decisions. These critical skills set them on a path to high-paying and rewarding careers in advanced technology fields. This competition was more than just an event; it was a launch pad for future innovators and industry leaders. I commend all participants for their dedication and hard work.”

Now, in the second year of a three-year hosting partnership, ɫ����Ƶ has continued to expand the impact of the championship. More than just a competition, the event introduced students to ɫ����Ƶ’s hands-on learning environment and industry-driven Co-op program, providing a direct connection between their passion for robotics and future career opportunities.