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Ethan Hack

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

I am an Engineering Technology Management student at the University of Wisconsin Platteville with a focus on manufacturing, quality assurance, and process improvement. Through internships in manufacturing and healthcare engineering, I have gained hands-on experience applying Lean and Six Sigma concepts, conducting time studies, supporting root cause analysis, and improving safety and quality systems. As a Manufacturing Engineering Intern at Alliant Power, I worked with engineering and production teams to improve efficiency, update quality procedures aligned with ISO and ASTM standards, and support safety and compliance initiatives. Previously, as a Clinical Engineering Intern at UW Health University Hospital, I assisted with equipment upgrades, preventative maintenance, and workspace redesigns to improve workflow and reduce repetitive motion for staff. Outside of academics, I serve as Treasurer and Shop Manager for the Automotive Enthusiasts Club, where I manage budgets, oversee shop operations, and coordinate student-funded projects. I am also active in the American Foundry Society and Society of Plastics Engineers. In addition, I own and operate a photography business, which has strengthened my communication, time management, and financial responsibility skills. My goal is to pursue a career as a Quality or Process Improvement Engineer and contribute to safer, more efficient manufacturing systems.

Education

University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Bachelor's degree program
2022 - 2026
  • Majors:
    • Manufacturing Engineering
  • Minors:
    • Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Manufacturing

    • Dream career goals:

    • Clinical Engineering Intern

      UW Health University Hospital
      2018 – 2018
    • Technician

      Midas
      2022 – 20231 year
    • Owner and Photographer

      Limitless Photography
      2018 – Present8 years
    • Manufacturing Engineering Intern

      Alliant Power
      2025 – Present1 year

    Arts

    • The Exponent

      Photography
      2023 – Present

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Wisconsin Public Television — Auction Bid Runner and Phone Bank Operator
      2015 – 2020
    • Volunteering

      Boy Scouts of America — Senior Patrol Leader and Order of the Arrow Representative
      2015 – 2022

    Future Interests

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    WayUp “Unlock Your Potential” Scholarship
    Wisconsin EVA Scholarship
    Winner
    Electric vehicles represent more than a shift in drivetrain technology, they mark a fundamental transformation in how transportation systems are designed, manufactured, and sustained. Growing up in Wisconsin, where automotive knowledge is often developed through hands-on experience, I have seen how quickly new technologies can outpace the availability of skilled professionals, especially in smaller or underserved communities. This gap is especially visible with electric vehicles, where advanced systems require a workforce prepared to manufacture, service, and support them safely and reliably. My ambition is to help bridge that gap by contributing to the manufacturing and process systems that make electric vehicles practical, trustworthy, and widely accessible. I am pursuing a degree in Engineering Technology Management with an emphasis on manufacturing and quality systems. My academic focus is reinforced by hands-on experience in both manufacturing and healthcare engineering environments. As a Manufacturing Engineering Intern at Alliant Power, I collaborated with production and engineering teams to improve efficiency, update quality procedures to meet various ISO and ASTM standards, and support safety and compliance initiatives. This experience demonstrated how disciplined manufacturing processes directly influence product reliability and long-term performance, critical factors for building confidence in electric vehicle adoption. My drive comes from consistently seeking responsibility beyond required coursework. I currently serve as Treasurer and Shop Manager for my university’s Automotive Enthusiasts Club, where I manage budgets, oversee shared shop resources, and coordinate vehicle-related projects. Working in a shop environment has strengthened my understanding of serviceability and safety, issues that are particularly important for electric vehicles operating in regions with limited access to specialized technicians. I am motivated not only by innovation, but by practicality, ensuring that emerging vehicle technologies can be manufactured and maintained efficiently across a wide range of communities. This scholarship would have a direct and meaningful impact on my educational path. As a student supporting my education independently, financial constraints influence the opportunities I am able to pursue, including technical certifications, specialized coursework, and internships. Support from the Wisconsin Electric Vehicle Association would allow me to continue developing skills in manufacturing optimization, quality assurance, and process improvement, areas that are essential to scaling electric vehicle production and service infrastructure within the state. My long-term goal is to work as a quality or process improvement engineer in the electric vehicle industry, helping design manufacturing systems that prioritize safety, efficiency, and workforce readiness. By improving how electric vehicles are built and supported, I hope to contribute to broader adoption, particularly in smaller Wisconsin communities where EV expertise is still emerging. This scholarship would not only support my education, but amplify the impact I aim to make in advancing sustainable transportation.