Rohith Vadapalli- Tennessee Technological University, Mechanical Engineering 

Scholarship Amount:

• Tennessee District: $1,500
• PMA Educational Foundation: $750
• Total: $2,250

Rohith Vadapalli began his academic journey as a neuroscience major at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. However, after a few years of study, Rohith realized that none of the career paths in that field truly resonated with him.
When he switched to engineering, Rohith initially felt uncertain—mechanical engineering seemed universally applicable, which only made it harder to choose a specific direction. But his deep passion for automotive systems, combined with a desire to understand how mechanical systems work in harmony, ultimately led him to commit to the field. The complexity and synergy within mechanical systems inspired his curiosity. To him, each component was a mystery waiting to be solved through engineering and manufacturing knowledge.

Throughout his academic and professional experiences, Rohith identified three key values that drive his career aspirations. The first is creative industrial design—he believes function should always come first, and that good design must deliver on its purpose. The second is collaboration. Whether it's internal collaboration across departments or direct engagement with customers in open-source projects, Rohith sees clear communication as essential.

During his co-op with Powerex, he experienced firsthand how poor communication could derail projects, while those with strong interdepartmental collaboration succeeded. The third value is sustainability. His work with the Tennessee Tech Sustainability Office and participation in committee meetings underscored for him the importance of environmental responsibility and community-focused action.

Receiving this scholarship has given Rohith valuable financial support and the freedom to pursue more opportunities within the engineering and manufacturing sectors, while allowing him to focus more fully on his academic and professional growth in his remaining semesters. 
Best of luck to you, Rohith!