At Kettering University, ambition isn’t measured by titles or tenure. It’s measured by what you build, how you lead and the challenges you take on. For Ian Gibson ’26, an Electrical Engineering major with a minor in Sustainability, this mindset is second nature.

Gibson didn’t come to Kettering to wait. He came to push boundaries, carve out his future in mobility and turn knowledge into impact. From leading engineering teams to working on some of General Motors’ most advanced vehicle programs, Gibson is a clear example of how Kettering students don’t just learn about the future—they help design it.

“At other schools, you wait your turn,” Gibson says. “At Kettering, you get to work right away.”

A legacy of innovation

Gibson’s story is deeply rooted in the legacy of the General Motors Proving Ground in Milford, MI. He’s a fourth-generation GM employee: his great-grandfather, Dr. Wellington Gibson, was appointed the second Medical Director at the Proving Ground in 1944. His grandfather, James Gibson Sr., worked his way from development driver to engineer. Both of his parents also interned at GM during high school and college, and his mother eventually worked in IT for GM’s Electronic Data Systems.

“They hadn’t been back to the Proving Ground in over 20 years,” Gibson shared. “Bringing them back on-site for the 100th anniversary in September 2024 and showing them how it has transformed was a full-circle moment.”

That legacy, combined with his love for cars and deep interest in sustainability, led Gibson to Kettering University—a place where tradition meets transformation and where hands-on learning is central to the student experience.

From classroom to Co-op

Kettering’s academic approach is unlike any traditional university. It's a 50/50 model that alternates every 11 weeks between rigorous coursework and full-time, paid Co-op employment. That structure has allowed Gibson to not only master the theories of electrical engineering but also apply them in high-stakes, real-world contexts.

Through his Co-op at General Motors, Gibson has worked on components across nearly every electric, hybrid, performance and autonomous vehicle GM has in development. That includes the Cadillac Celestiq, Corvette ERay, ZR1X and even next-generation commercial delivery vans.

“I’ve had the chance to get behind the wheel and under the hood,” Gibson says. “It’s not just theory anymore—it’s real, and I’m part of it.”

Inspired by GM’s early Impact/EV1 program, Gibson envisions a future where life-cycle thinking drives how vehicles are designed, produced and recycled. “My goal is to eliminate waste in manufacturing and use green energy and sustainable materials wherever possible,” he explains.

Kettering has equipped him to pursue that vision. With access to advanced labs, industry partnerships and a curriculum that empowers students to test, fail and build again, Gibson is gaining both the technical knowledge and leadership mindset to drive real change.

More than a degree

Gibson didn’t always plan to be an engineer. In high school, he served as president of his DECA chapter, learning how to communicate ideas, pitch solutions and lead a team.

At Kettering, he’s taken that business-minded foundation and layered on deep technical expertise as an Electrical Engineering student and General Motors Co-op. Those combined strengths helped him earn a spot on a Michigan Economic Development Corporation student panel at the Detroit Auto Show.

“I wanted to be more than a business major,” Gibson says. “Kettering gave me the technical edge, the competitive experience and the network that will help me stand out.”

And that’s exactly the kind of student Kettering is built for: those who see problems as possibilities and classrooms as launchpads. Here, students learn to collaborate across disciplines, apply their learning in professional environments, and lead teams that deliver real results.

Kettering University isn’t for everyone.But for students like Ian Gibson, it’s the proving ground where passion meets purpose.

Read about more students like Ian, and see how Kettering University is powering the next generation of innovators through programs like our Accelerated Semiconductor Degree and a No. 1 national ranking for undergraduate education.