February 4, 2026 Discover ISyE brings together students and alumni Written By: Jane Feller Departments: Industrial & Systems Engineering Categories: Alumni|Undergraduate On January 28, the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering hosted its annual student-alumni networking event, “Discover ISyE”. This event is designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and industry practice by providing a platform for students from across the College of Engineering to engage in high-level, one-on-one dialogues regarding the diverse career trajectories available within the field. A Multidisciplinary Exchange The forum featured a distinguished cohort of alumni representing a broad spectrum of sectors, including healthcare operations, data science, supply chain management, and ergonomic consulting. This diverse representation highlighted the versatile application of ISyE principles in solving complex global challenges. Featured Alumni Participants: Jake Birrenkott: Senior Sales Engineer, Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing Co-op Jodi Glunz, MS, CPE: Ergonomics Consultant Brian Tennant: Healthcare Operational Leader, UW Health Care Direct Jeff Roznowski: Telecommunications Executive (Ret.) and Community Advocate James Sandine: Operations Management Leadership Program, GE Healthcare Rachel Kayman: Operations Management Leadership Program, GE Healthcare Zachary Rottier: Enterprise Data Science Director, American Family Insurance Dan Robin: Chief Supply Chain Officer, Monarca Authentic Snacks Paul Meyer: Chief Operating Officer (Ret.), The Alliance Students and alumni connect at Discover ISyE 2026. Comprehensive Student Support Beyond industry perspectives, the event utilized “information stations” to provide holistic guidance on the ISyE experience. Associate Teaching Professor Amanda Smith, alongside senior students Elliott Frank and Rebecca Thornton, offered insights into the rigorous curriculum and undergraduate research opportunities. To ensure students were aware of the full range of departmental resources, academic advisors and student organization representatives were on hand to discuss degree requirements, professional certification paths, and extracurricular leadership roles.