by Collin Brunner B.S.H.E.S. ’10, Annual Member
What was your favorite Arkansas Alumni Association activity or event?
It was an honor to be nominated and selected for the 2022 Early Career Alumni Award at the College of Engineering Alumni Awards Ceremony – as the youngest recipient of the cohort and the first recipient from the Biomedical Engineering Department of the University of Arkansas. Being in a room with highly respected engineering professionals from the university along with my former professors was very inspiring. I am thankful to be recognized and am encouraged to make an even greater impact in the global medical device industry while inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders.
What made you choose the University of Arkansas? (or why is the University of Arkansas special to you?)
The University of Arkansas is a special place to me. I grew up in Pennsylvania and the summer following my high school graduation, my family and I moved to Arkansas due to my dad’s job relocation. I didn’t know anyone in the state and had to quickly adapt to the changes that come with moving to a completely new environment. I am grateful that I chose the University of Arkansas which had the abundant research opportunities, beautiful campus and study spaces, and the specific field of major I wanted to pursue. I was able to get plugged into my coursework, join multiple organizations and make long-lasting connections with some of the most genuine and special people I know. I am glad that I was able to take advantage of the opportunities at the university and thankful to be recognized by receiving the Senior Honors Citation Award for the University of Arkansas Class of 2016, truly a testament of everyone who has invested in my life!
Why is mentoring important?
During college, I learned the importance of mentorship. Most of the time, college is the place where students begin to make decisions on their own and can face certain challenges that could determine the course of their next few years. It is crucial to identify professors, peers, family or friends to challenge you, keep you accountable and provide support in navigating through the many decisions. I am blessed to have found several mentors throughout college who have been instrumental in equipping me to push forward and to live with an eternal perspective – continuing to look forward and upward.
How did the University of Arkansas prepare you for your career?
The university provided an opportunity for me to grow outside of my comfort zone. I was able to participate in campus and community activities, take on leadership roles in campus organizations and engineering projects, and even explore the world through several study/service abroad trips. Through my research involvement and the academic rigor of the engineering program, I enjoyed collaborating and engaging with the scientific community. Managing multiple projects and responsibilities through my college years was also a great way for me to get a taste of the time management skills required in the workplace. As a Project Engineer at Stryker and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), I get to build on those skills and to help deliver results that will ultimately support the lives of patients worldwide. I am eager to continue making an impact in the global healthcare field and to empower others to do the same, whether it’s locally or globally, in my native country Ethiopia.
What degree program did you complete, and what did your time at the University of Arkansas mean to you?
I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering along with a Spanish minor. Designing and innovating medical devices for the advancement of healthcare worldwide has been one of my interests for a long time, ever since my first trip to Ethiopia in 2006 when I saw the huge need and potential within the medical field. I am thankful that the University of Arkansas provided an opportunity for me to gain analytical and problem-solving skills while building my work ethic so that I would be prepared to enter the real world and tackle global healthcare challenges. In other words, I would describe my time at the University of Arkansas as a launching pad that set my desires into action and propelled me to achieve the vision set before me. I enjoyed every detail of my time at Arkansas, from watching Razorback sporting events to exploring the beautiful scenery in Fayetteville with international students to connecting with students in Bible studies with Cru and so much more. I can’t imagine having a better college experience and that is all indebted to the people and the community that made it amazing. Woo0 Pig Sooie!
