Olivia Wright
Kettering University
For exceptional academic performance; for consistent, creative SWE outreach that inspires her peers; and for being a role model who embodies engineering as an instrument of goodwill.
Olivia Wright is a graduating senior at Kettering University with a dual major in industrial engineering and management, with a concentration in technology. Last fall, she completed both her undergraduate senior capstone classes, helping with an ergonomic lift-assist justification for a local manufacturing plant and formulating a comprehensive business plan to revitalize the university’s student-run radio station. While taking an average of 21 credits per quarter, Wright made the dean’s list, and the school’s chapter of the engineering honor society Alpha Pi Mu invited her to join, for which she took on the role of interim chapter president for 2022.
Wright advocates for youth and women in STEM in her role as president of the Society of Women Engineers Kettering University Collegiate Section and in her community. With the help of her section’s leadership, she laid the groundwork for a successful mentor/mentee program, pioneered replicable fundraising activities that engaged the entire student body and started outreach events to inspire the next generation. For the past four years, Wright led the section’s weekly meetings, professional development, and executive committees. Under her leadership, the section sponsored several events that raised money and boosted SWE’s visibility on campus. She spent countless hours revamping the section’s “Survival Kit” fundraising event, where parents could choose snacks and hygiene items to send to their students during finals week.
Wright has grown tremendously by attending SWE’s annual and local conferences, completing the Collegiate Leadership Institute (CLI), and joining the Parents, Educators, and SWENext Clubs Counselors workgroup as a collegiate member. Her structured yet upbeat leadership style has helped revitalize the chapter and set it on a track for continuing success.
Wright also represents organizations such as Alpha Gamma Delta and Alpha Phi Omega, for which she raises money to fight hunger and volunteers with Girl Scouts of the USA. Last year, she hosted a campuswide Trunk-or-Treat event for the community of Flint, Michigan, creating a memorable Halloween for financially disadvantaged children. Wright has been a head resident assistant on campus, and her newest goal is placing in an intramural powerlifting competition.
Throughout her undergraduate years, Wright also excelled in her co-op with the EWIE Group of Companies (EGC), gaining three years of experience in materials management and procurement logistics. She completed her undergraduate thesis with this company on the financial impact of vendor-owned inventory versus consignment material. She also delved into the post-pandemic effects on the company’s supply chain.
Wright recently accepted a full-time position as a commodity management system site manager with EGC and expects to continue to grow into operations management.
Amid her busy schedule, Wright finds joy in creating art, indulging in her favorite films, and seeking adventure in amusement parks. Recently, she even started perfecting her skills in disc golf.
