CEAS Alumni Scholarship

Celine Al Hijazin, a Biomedical Engineering major who is minoring in Biomedical Electronics and Computing, has completed five co-op rotations in the medical device and cosmetics industries. Celine has been actively involved in the Programs and Activities Council (PAC) and EnableCincy, and she will be co-president of the Arab Student Association (ASA) during her final year. After graduation, she plans to travel.

Aleeza Ansari is a Chemical Engineering student who has completed co-ops at L'Oreal, Dow, and Procter & Gamble. Aleeza has held leadership roles in the Programs and Activities Council (PAC), Pakistani Student Association, and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). She enjoys traveling, reading, and playing basketball and pickleball.

Ryan Gambrel is a Mechanical Engineering and Technology major with extensive co-op experience, including rotations at General Tool Company, Positrol Workholding, and Faxon Machining. He’s actively involved in Engineers Without Borders and Habitat for Humanity, and is the social chair for the UC Fishing Club. After graduation, Ryan plans to pursue a career in manufacturing engineering, focusing on innovation and process improvement.

Ellie Hite is an Aerospace Engineering major who has completed all five of her co-op rotations at GE Aerospace in both Evendale, Ohio and Lynn, Mass. Ellie is active in CEAS Tribunal and was the Director of LGBTQ+ Advocacy through UC’s undergraduate student government. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, embroidery, playing piano, and Pilates.

Neel Mohan is pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering and a master’s in Industrial and Systems Engineering through the ACCEND program. Neel has completed four co-ops with Kroger and works as a Supplemental Instruction Coordinator for Chemistry. In his spare time, he enjoys playing tennis and soccer, going to the movies, and taking on new challenges.

Andrew Thatcher is a Civil Engineering major with a passion for commercial construction and real estate. The past president of the Construction Student Association, Andrew will join NorthPoint Development in the summer of 2026. He plans to pursue his P.E. License specializing in construction, which will be the focus of his final year of study.

Emma Vail is a Mechanical Engineering major in the ACCEND program, also pursuing a Master of Engineering in Robotics and Intelligent Autonomous Systems. She has completed co-ops at Swagelok, Honda, Nylok LLC, and DMC Inc. Emma is an active member of the campus community, including a CEAS Ambassador and president of UC's euchre club. In her free time, she enjoys F1, reading, and exploring new places with her service dog in training.

Soham Vakani is a Computer Science major and an active leader on campus, including Chief of Staff for CEAS Tribunal and a member of CEAS Ambassadors. He has completed co-ops with KFI Engineers and Fifth Third Bank in Cincinnati. Outside of academics, Soham is a member of the UC Waterski Team and enjoys running. He plans to pursue a career in software engineering.

Omar Atwan is a biomedical engineering majorwhose first co-ops were in pharmaceuticals and medical devices. His final two co-op rotations  with Procter & Gamble saw him develop a passion for creating next-generation consumer products. Active with the student organization, EnableUC, Omar will also be a Resident Advisor for his final year and is excited about the opportunity to help build a strong community among students.

Oscar Cronin is a computer engineering major, President of CEAS Tribunal, and active with CEAS Ambassadors. He did his co-ops with Systecon and GE Aerospace and post-graduation he plans to pursue a data engineering position.. In his free time, he plays guitar and trombone in three different bands around the Greater Cincinnati region.

Madeline Miller is a biomedical engineering undergraduate student in the ACCEND program who will also receive her MBA when she graduates next spring. Passionate for improving patients' lives, she completed all five co-ops with medical device development companies. Madeline plans to begin her career with a company focused on medical device development.

Sophia Palermo is an environmental engineering and MBA student who has always been very active on campus, from giving tours as a ROAR guide or CEAS ambassador, to being president of UC's Beekeeping Club. She completed her final two co-ops at Siemens Healthineers in Germany, and has been inspired to look at job opportunities in the U.S. and abroad. After graduation she hopes to volunteer in the national parks or the ocean conservation field before pursuing a career in sustainability consulting or related work.

Megan Sheth is a mechanical engineering major, minoring in robotics & automation. She has completed co-ops at Federal Eagle (Hearse & Limousine Manufacturing), Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Procter & Gamble. Megan enjoys photography, pottery, painting, and kickboxing, and says she is always eager to learn new things and challenge herself.

Morgan Sidwell is a chemical engineering major who has co-oped at Ethicon, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Trane Technologies. She has held various leadership roles with CEAS Tribunal and her sorority, Pi Beta Phi. Morgan likes to read, crochet and workout. After graduation she hopes to enter technical sales or the development side of manufacturing.