Jas is committed to mentoring the next generation of engineers from marginalized backgrounds.

Jas Hunt is pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering to make a positive impact on people’s quality of life. Jas’ path to becoming an engineer has required tremendous persistence and resilience, qualities that Jas gained throughout her childhood in Detroit. Discouraged from studying biology by a counselor at her predominantly white high school, Jas earned acceptance at Northwestern University and pursued studies in STEM. She met the discouragement she experienced there — as the only black woman in many of her classes — with determination to promote diversity and inclusion in STEM and to mentor young people from underrepresented backgrounds.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, Jas began their career as a clinical research coordinator at the Karmanos Cancer Institute. Later, she worked as a research assistant and project coordinator at the Center for Rehabilitation Technologies and Outcomes and collaborated with clinicians, scientists, and engineers on impactful projects like powered prosthetic devices, wearable devices to prevent injury when falling, and spinal stimulation to return sensation after nervous system injuries. It was here that Jas noticed many of the world’s most complex problems required the expertise of mechanical engineers and ultimately decided to pursue a degree in the field. With characteristic determination, they enrolled at UM-Dearborn, where they have since been inducted into the Tau Beta Pi Honors Society.

Following their graduation, Jas intends to work alongside community advocates to design environmentally sustainable, innovative solutions that will increase access to consistent power — motivated by the rapidly deteriorating power grid in Michigan and its disproportionate impact on low-income people. Additionally, Jas is committed to mentoring the next generation of engineers from marginalized backgrounds.

Known for her “strong work ethic” and “intellectual curiosity,” Jas is also supported and celebrated by her partner and fellow member of the CEW+ Scholar Community.

CEW+ commends Jas’ persistence and names them an Irma M. Wyman Scholar.