Jeff Bielicki

Class of 1996
Ph.D. Candidate, Public Policy Program Center for the Environment, Harvard University

Jeff Bielicki knew his college experience would probably shape his life. And he likes the shape it's taking.

The 1996 Valpo graduate, who earned a degree in mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering, is enrolled in a doctoral program at Harvard University. Along the way he worked at the United States Department of Energy's Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and earned master's degrees from the University of Chicago and from Harvard.

“At Fermilab, I managed the mechanical engineering cooperative education program,” he says. “It was clear to the supervisors that the Valparaiso University students had an edge over those from the nation's most prestigious schools. Their ability to solve problems and to communicate clearly and concisely was outstanding. My department alone hired three of them.”

It was the anticipation of such benefits that led him to Valpo when he was selecting the college for his undergraduate study.

”I chose Valpo for its size and its strong engineering program void of teaching assistants,” he says. “I met quality people there. And, to my surprise, the liberal arts aspect opened my eyes to all sorts of cool and interesting 'stuff,' like philosophy. I'm glad I didn't attend a school where technical people tend to rub up only against other technical people.”

He found his Valpo professors readily accessible and that they provided helpful advice that often went beyond textbook discussions.

”One of my Valpo mentors was Professor Robert Palumbo, a solar energy researcher. He inspired me to follow what is personally important and to be the best I can be. That advice led me to complete an MBA and an MPA (master's of public administration). My Ph.D. program involves international energy/climate issues, using the hybrid of natural science, engineering, economics and systems analysis.

“Valpo's influence continues to push me toward integrating and expanding my interests.”

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