Michigan State University is proud to announce the selection of 105 College of Engineering students as Michigander Scholars for summer 2025. These exceptional students will receive coveted scholarship incentives — $5,000 for completing internships or co-ops and up to $10,000 for accepting full-time positions in Michigan and committing to live and work in the state for at least one year postgraduation. Together, these awards total approximately $675,000 in support for Spartan engineers pursuing careers in Michigan’s high-demand sectors.
This marks MSU’s third cohort of Michigander Scholars, a groundbreaking initiative led by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, or MEDC, to retain top talent and strengthen Michigan’s workforce in critical fields such as mobility, electric vehicles, aerospace/defense and semiconductors. MSU is proud to be a committed partner in MEDC’s mission to attract, prepare and retain the next generation of tech leaders in the Great Lakes State.
“The Michigander Scholars program is more than a scholarship — it’s a commitment to Michigan’s future,” said John Papapolymerou, interim dean of MSU’s College of Engineering. “Our students are not only gaining real-world experience with top employers but also making an impact in the industries that are shaping our state’s economy.”
2025 Michigander Scholar award highlights:
• 105 total Spartan recipients
• Awards include both intern/co-op placements ($5,000) and full-time commitments ($10,000)
• Scholarships support positions in chemical, computer, cybersecurity, electrical, materials, mechanical, systems and process engineering, as well as software development (or synonymous job titles)
• More than 148 MSU students and grads have been honored since the program’s inception (including this group)
• More than 500 scholarships have been awarded statewide to date
Participating employers — including many of MSU’s Spartan Engineering Recruiter Partner companies — gain early access to highly skilled student talent, while also helping shape the future of Michigan’s innovation ecosystem. Companies are already investing in this talent pipeline and reaping the rewards of a stronger homegrown workforce.
The Michigander Scholars program is the first of its kind in the nation — a unique public-private partnership between leading Michigan employers and top universities. The initiative is designed to keep Michigan talent in Michigan, ensuring graduates find rewarding careers in-state while contributing to key industries that are vital to Michigan’s economic future.
This marks MSU’s third cohort of Michigander Scholars, a groundbreaking initiative led by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, or MEDC, to retain top talent and strengthen Michigan’s workforce in critical fields such as mobility, electric vehicles, aerospace/defense and semiconductors. MSU is proud to be a committed partner in MEDC’s mission to attract, prepare and retain the next generation of tech leaders in the Great Lakes State.
“The Michigander Scholars program is more than a scholarship — it’s a commitment to Michigan’s future,” said John Papapolymerou, interim dean of MSU’s College of Engineering. “Our students are not only gaining real-world experience with top employers but also making an impact in the industries that are shaping our state’s economy.”
2025 Michigander Scholar award highlights:
• 105 total Spartan recipients
• Awards include both intern/co-op placements ($5,000) and full-time commitments ($10,000)
• Scholarships support positions in chemical, computer, cybersecurity, electrical, materials, mechanical, systems and process engineering, as well as software development (or synonymous job titles)
• More than 148 MSU students and grads have been honored since the program’s inception (including this group)
• More than 500 scholarships have been awarded statewide to date
Participating employers — including many of MSU’s Spartan Engineering Recruiter Partner companies — gain early access to highly skilled student talent, while also helping shape the future of Michigan’s innovation ecosystem. Companies are already investing in this talent pipeline and reaping the rewards of a stronger homegrown workforce.
The Michigander Scholars program is the first of its kind in the nation — a unique public-private partnership between leading Michigan employers and top universities. The initiative is designed to keep Michigan talent in Michigan, ensuring graduates find rewarding careers in-state while contributing to key industries that are vital to Michigan’s economic future.
