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Valparaiso University Student Engineer Leads the Way for Student Opportunities

Feb. 10, 2022 – Valparaiso, Indiana – Hannah Nelson ’23, a Valparaiso University electrical engineering student and IPC chapter president, has been elected by her peers to serve a one-year term as the student member liaison for the IPC board of directors. She is the second student in the organization’s history to hold this position.

“It feels unreal to be given the opportunity to represent all student chapters,” Nelson said.

IPC is a global standards and trade organization dedicated to furthering the competitive excellence and financial success of its members in the electronics industry. Through the IPC Education Foundation, electrical engineering students gain access to industry scholarships, employment and professional training. As the student liaison for the board of directors, Nelson will play an active role in creating those opportunities for electrical engineering students across the nation, including her classmates at Valparaiso University.

In her role, Nelson will sit on the IPC board alongside the CEOs of a variety of prominent electronics companies. She will act as the voice of student chapters of IPC, relaying to the board what her fellow students believe to be most important to further electronic engineering education across the nation.

As student liaison, Nelson was an attendant and participant in the 2022 IPC Apex Expo, the largest gathering of electronics professionals in North America. At the expo, Nelson spoke about her time interning with Caterpillar Inc. as part of a career panel, participated in professional development activities and pursued networking opportunities with higher-ups in the industry.

“I met several individuals from around the globe from China, France and Canada,” Nelson said. “The most beneficial part of the experience was being able to network with several different individuals from different companies around the globe. I was not only able to get my name out there, but also learn more about what the industry has to offer.”

Nelson has also received $1,000 in financial support from the IPC Education Foundation and will attend the annual IPC board meeting in Prague later this year.