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It all started with dinner. In August 2006, Phil Roussey (BSEEE ’66), who had recently secured a donation of equipment from his company Bell Microproducts to UM-Dearborn, decided he wanted to get more involved with the campus. That month he and his wife, Mona, held a small dinner at their home in Monte Sereno, attended by a number of UM-Dearborn alumni from the area and Chancellor Dan Little.
Phil’s work didn’t stop after the dinner. He continued to talk to alumni who attended to try to find ways to bring the talent of UM-Dearborn’s Engineering students to California. This past July, Dean Subrata Sengupta arrived in California, where Phil had arranged visits with seven leading Silicon Valley employers.
While Michigan continues to struggle with economic uncertainty, Silicon Valley is in the midst of a boom. In fact, employers there struggle to fill positions with qualified electrical engineering and computer science graduates. UM-Dearborn’s ability to work with these employers will enormously benefit our students, through internships, co-op appointments and full-time jobs after graduation.
Thanks to Phil’s work and the Dean’s visit, UM-Dearborn is well on the way to forging new relationships. We have agreements with three companies already, some well-established and some start-ups. Phil will continue to network with alumni in the area to find new sources of experiential opportunities and employment for our students.
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