Material Handling Education Foundation, Inc., Charlotte, NC (2026)

06/05/2026

Congratulations to Maaya Tsukada, recipient of the $3,300 Storage Manufacturers Association Honor Scholarship for the 2025–2026 school year!

Maaya is a junior at the University of South Florida pursuing a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering with a concentration in manufacturing systems. Originally from Japan, Maaya is an international student who enjoys serving as a tutor and program assistant for local children in her community. She first gained experience in the industry during a gap year after high school when she worked at ZOZO, Inc., a company that operates multiple popular ecommerce fashion websites. As a contract employee, she conducted inventory audits and stocktaking to identify discrepancies, utilized inventory management systems to track product movements, and helped maintain warehouse inventory to support order fulfillment. In addition to her role at ZOZO, Maaya has also worked at Costco, Starbucks, and Metz Culinary Management. Her upbringing in Japan, where principles like Kaizen, Just-in-Time, and Jidoka are embedded in daily life, sparked her fascination with how different countries approach logistics and continuous improvement.

In her career, Maaya hopes to help build more resilient, efficient, and sustainable supply chain systems by integrating best practices from around the world, such as Japan’s focus on social responsibility and process optimization, and the United States’ strength in technological innovation.

We’re excited to recognize Maaya’s achievements and are grateful to the members of the MHI Storage Manufacturers Association for investing in the next generation of supply chain and logistics professionals.

06/03/2026

Congratulations to Griffin Bittel, recipient of the $5,000 Material Handling Education Foundation Honor Scholarship for the 2025–26 school year!

Griffin is a junior at Auburn University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration with concentrations in supply chain management and finance and a minor in aviation management. He serves as treasurer of the Aviation Management and Operations Society and is a member of the Auburn Supply Chain Management Association. Griffin previously worked as a competitive sports supervisor for Auburn’s Recreation and Wellness Center and now serves as a competitive sports program assistant. Through these roles, he has strengthened his leadership skills by managing a team of more than 50 people and overseeing the safety of participants and spectators. He also serves as a site director and head umpire for Training Legends, directing logistics at tournament sites and helping ensure the smooth ex*****on of more than 150 games through communication, coordination and enforcement of game regulations. Griffin’s interest in supply chain management began during his five years as a grocery replenishment specialist at Publix, where he managed inventory levels and forecasted order quantities. This hands-on experience, combined with an engaging supply chain principles course, inspired him to change his major from aviation to supply chain management.

During a summer 2024 internship with Hill Aircraft, Griffin led procurement and optimization projects focused on part sourcing and supply tracking, helping reduce inventory levels by 30%. He also helped coordinate daily operations for more than 40 aircraft, including marshaling, fueling and servicing, to maintain safety and efficiency. In summer 2025, Griffin completed a chemical sourcing internship with Newell Brands and will continue building his supply chain experience this summer as a supply chain intern with Georgia-Pacific.

After graduation, Griffin plans to pursue an MBA before beginning a career in sourcing or analytics for a major company, with the long-term goal of becoming a leader who drives meaningful change.

06/01/2026

Congratulations to Esteban Salas Serrano, recipient of the $5,000 Richard Dilling Memorial Scholarship for the 2025–26 school year!

Esteban is a freshman at Northwestern University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. A first-generation college student, he graduated from Jones College Prep in Chicago, where he served as co-president of the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, treasurer of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica and event planner for Future Business Leaders of America. He also held leadership roles as vice president, writer and editor for the Skulls and Jones English Honor Society and was an active member of the National Honor Society and his school orchestra. Recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction, Esteban has actively pursued opportunities to expand his knowledge of engineering and data analytics. In spring 2024, he completed an eight-week data science program at the Illinois Institute of Technology. During summer 2024, he attended the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he completed college-level coursework alongside engineering students. The experience culminated in the creation of his own wave transmitter, a project that reinforced his passion for electrical engineering by combining technical problem-solving with creativity and hands-on innovation. Esteban also volunteers with Stuffed Love, a nonprofit organization focused on reducing food waste and food insecurity by distributing food considered “imperfect” for traditional grocery stores throughout the Chicago area. Through this work, he has strengthened his commitment to leading with empathy and creating environments where diverse perspectives are valued and heard.

At Northwestern, Esteban hopes to join the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and Engineers Without Borders to deepen his understanding of challenges facing underserved communities. His long-term goal is to develop technologies that improve quality of life while preserving cultural heritage and supporting sustainable development.

05/29/2026

Congratulations to Dayton McCall, recipient of the $4,400 The Robotics Group Honor Scholarship for the 2025–26 school year!

Dayton is a junior at Oklahoma State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and applied mathematics with a concentration in data analytics for engineers. He is an active member of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society and the K-12 CEAT Student Council Committee, where he helps organize career fairs that promote engineering and STEM opportunities to younger students. He also serves as philanthropy chair for Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Dayton’s interest in material handling and supply chain management began during a high school internship with ABB Inc., where he worked with gas chromatograph parts using SolidWorks and AutoCAD. The experience gave him early exposure to industrial automation, including how parts are designed to maintain performance and how materials move through production systems. During summer 2025, Dayton interned with Webco Industries in the tubing sector, where he gained hands-on experience streamlining production workflows and analyzing how raw material inputs affect manufacturing operations.

Skilled in Python, AutoCAD, R and Excel, Dayton hopes to continue growing through research opportunities, student organizations and industry conferences. Long term, he aims to become a leader in the industry by developing smarter and more sustainable solutions to support global operations.

We are proud to recognize Dayton’s accomplishments and grateful to the members of TRG (The Robotics Group) of MHI for supporting the next generation of supply chain and logistics professionals.

05/27/2026

Congratulations to Aleia Frye, recipient of the $3,000 Gorbel Inc. Honor Scholarship for the 2025–26 school year!

Aleia is a junior at the University of Pittsburgh pursuing a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering with a minor in economics. A first-generation college student, she serves as a physics undergraduate teaching assistant and engineering peer leader, mentoring incoming engineering students. She is also an industrial engineering seminar leader, collaborating with professors and industry professionals to coordinate presentations and develop promotional materials for the seminar. In addition, Aleia conducts research alongside an industrial engineering professor focused on engineering ethics education.

During summer 2024, Aleia completed an internship with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, where she conducted field verifications of road systems, shoulders, drainage and guiderail conditions across six counties to help determine maintenance and repair priorities. In summer 2025, she completed an operations and continuous improvement co-op rotation with Curtiss-Wright, followed by a spring 2026 rotation as an operations planning and control intern.”

In her final years at the University of Pittsburgh, Aleia hopes to study abroad, potentially in the Czech Republic, to gain a global perspective on engineering processes and systems. She also plans to pursue additional internships in supply chain or manufacturing to further explore her professional interests. Long term, she aspires to become a leader in the industry and inspire future generations of women in STEM.

We are proud to recognize Aleia’s accomplishments and grateful to Gorbel for supporting the next generation of supply chain and logistics professionals.

05/25/2026

Congratulations to Jonathan Blatt, recipient of the $5,000 Rack Manufacturers Institute Honor Scholarship, sponsored by ASG Services, for the 2025–26 school year!

Jonathan is a senior at Oklahoma State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and management with a minor in political science. An Eagle Scout and active student leader on campus, he currently serves as treasurer for the Alpha Pi Mu Honor Society, scholarship chair for Sigma Chi International Fraternity, and is a member of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers and Tau Beta Pi Honor Society. Jonathan also works as a career coach and ambassador for the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology, where he helped organize the end-of-year donor banquet by overseeing event logistics, award presentations, setup and promotion. As a former CEAT K-12 student intern, he developed STEM lesson plans and activities for more than 50 youth summer camps across Oklahoma in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club. Through this role, he strengthened his project management and leadership skills by adapting lessons based on available resources and student skill levels while collaborating with organizations to host engaging competitions that enhanced student learning.

During summer 2025, Jonathan interned with PepsiCo, where he gained hands-on experience in warehouse operations and global supply chain processes. As part of his internship, he developed a warehouse mapping system that used product barcode data to create a real-time, three-dimensional view of inventory locations throughout the facility, helping improve product visibility and reduce search time.

Jonathan plans to pursue a Master of Science in industrial engineering while serving as a graduate assistant. He hopes to work for a global company where he can improve supply chain efficiency and enhance customer satisfaction.

We are proud to celebrate Jonathan’s accomplishments and grateful to ASG Services and the members of the RMI Rack Safety group for supporting the next generation of supply chain and logistics professionals.

05/22/2026

Congratulations to Rajnish Poudel, recipient of the $5,000 Al Wurz Memorial Scholarship for the 2025–26 school year!

Rajnish is a senior at Mississippi State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering with minors in mathematics and global engineering leadership. He is also working toward a certificate in supply chain management. As a representative for the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Rajnish has served as a program coordinator for the Nepalese Students Association and as a student engineer at the Industrial Training and Assessment Center, where he conducted energy assessments for small and medium-sized manufacturers.

Over the past three years, he has completed four internships, gaining hands-on experience across the manufacturing and engineering industries. In spring 2024, he worked as a quality engineering intern at PACCAR Engines, where he led continuous improvement projects and developed a Kamishibai audit system to address recurring defects. In summer 2024, Rajnish served as an engineering intern at the Mississippi State University Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems Extension Center, where he visited more than 25 manufacturing facilities across Mississippi. He gained a deeper understanding of how supporting small manufacturers can positively impact local communities. During this internship, he developed a PowerApp to replace physical reject tags, reducing data entry time by 30%, and designed a Kanban audit system that improved inventory accuracy by 20%. In spring and summer 2025, Rajnish completed a co-op with Rehlko, focusing on the implementation of smart torque tools and Andon systems to improve process control and product quality. He also contributed to the development of manufacturing ex*****on system applications for real-time production monitoring. Since August, he has been working as a process engineering intern at ANDRITZ.

After graduation, Rajnish plans to pursue a master’s degree in supply chain management, with the ultimate goal of establishing a consulting firm that helps small and midsize manufacturers integrate modern technologies into their operations.

05/20/2026

Congratulations to Luke Diener, recipient of the $2,250 Expert Crane Honor Scholarship for the 2025–26 school year!

Luke is a junior at Oklahoma State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and management. A College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology scholar, he was named one of the university’s Top 10 Freshmen based on his GPA, extracurricular involvement, honors and awards, research initiatives and community service. He previously served on both the Freshman Council and the First-Year Representative Council, where he facilitated discussions with more than 50 students to address concerns and collaborated with student government on initiatives to improve campus life. Luke is also an active member of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers and serves as president of the university’s largest National Interfraternity Conference fraternity. In that role, he manages the annual budget, leads internal committees and implements programs to increase member engagement and satisfaction. By leading weekly meetings and serving as a liaison between the organization and university administration, Luke continues to strengthen his communication and leadership skills. Proficient in Microsoft Office, Java, C/C++, MATLAB and GitHub, Luke is drawn to supply chain because of its broad applications across industries including health care, retail and manufacturing.

Luke aims to graduate summa cm laude, earn recognition as a senior of distinction, and pursue a master’s degree. Long term, he hopes to launch his own engineering firm focused on developing next-generation logistics solutions that improve supply chain efficiency and sustainability.

We are proud to celebrate Luke’s accomplishments and grateful to Expert Crane for investing in the next generation of supply chain and logistics professionals.

05/18/2026

Congratulations to Parshv Patel, recipient of the $5,000 Conveyor & Sortation Systems Honor Scholarship for the 2025–26 school year!

Parshv is a freshman at the University of California, Berkeley, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a concentration in data science. Valedictorian of West Valley High School, he founded and served as president of the Math Club and received the Outstanding Science Student Award for the 2023–24 school year. He also served as co-captain of the varsity tennis team, student leader for Think Together, a math tutoring club, and an active member of Link Crew, a mentorship program supporting incoming freshmen. Eager to deepen his knowledge, Parshv completed nine college-level courses and earned certifications in Python, SQL, machine learning and rocket mechanics through institutions including the University of Michigan, IBM and Rice University. Parshv has led several independent coding and machine learning projects focused on real-world problem-solving and data-driven automation. Beyond academics, he completed nearly 100 community service hours volunteering at his local elementary school and community food pantry. His interest in data science began after developing a grocery shopping algorithm to help his family optimize spending.

Parshv is passionate about applying AI and data science to develop predictive models that improve supply chain efficiency and resilience. He hopes to work at the intersection of technology and impact-driven fields such as sustainability, health care and education, using analytics to anticipate disruptions, streamline systems and drive meaningful change.

We are proud to celebrate Parshv’s accomplishments and grateful to the members of the Conveyor & Sortation Systems group, part of the MHI Warehouse Automation Group, for supporting the next generation of supply chain and logistics professionals.

05/15/2026

Congratulations to Kasey Bounkong, recipient of the $5,000 Frazier Industrial Honor Scholarship for the 2025–26 school year!

Kasey is a senior at Virginia Tech pursuing a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering with a concentration in manufacturing. She previously served as director of corporate relations and now serves as president of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers. She is also involved in the Vietnamese Student Association, where she previously held roles as freshman representative and events coordinator. In addition, Kasey is a member of the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers and serves as a communications project manager for the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Team. As an undergraduate teaching assistant in the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department, she has supported student learning while also conducting research at the Virginia Tech National Security Institute. Her research focused on alternative navigation systems and the application of advanced technologies supporting the Navy’s hypersonic and ballistic missile programs.

Kasey’s longtime fascination with space led her to complete multiple internships with NASA between 2020 and 2022, where she contributed to both the Earth Science and Astrophysics divisions. During summer 2024, she served as a final assembly industrial engineering intern for the Boeing 737 program, conducting root cause analysis on part defects to help reduce production bottlenecks. Her work contributed to $4,000 in cost savings and helped determine appropriate workload levels for the rigging team. Most recently, she completed an industrial engineering internship with Pratt & Whitney.

Kasey hopes to build a career in the aerospace industry focused on improving safety for pilots and passengers while contributing to the future of space exploration. She also aspires to mentor future engineers and become a leader known for uplifting others and creating a lasting positive impact.

We are proud to recognize Kasey’s accomplishments and grateful to Frazier Industrial Company for supporting the next generation of supply chain and logistics professionals.

Material Handling Education Foundation, Inc.

06/05/2026

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