Inspiring Graduate: Zachary Morgan, B.S. Manufacturing Engineering

Inspiring Graduate: Zachary Morgan (’25)

• Hometown: Eau Claire
• Degree: B.S. Manufacturing Engineering

After several years working in critical care nursing and later in a warehouse at Andersen Windows, Zachary Morgan realized he wanted to be on the side of improving systems, not just adapting to them.

“UW-Stout’s strong reputation for applied learning and industry partnerships is what ultimately drew me here to the manufacturing engineering program,” he said. “Years ago, I initially avoided Stout because I was intimidated by the math involved in engineering. I came back to school with a new perspective and a determination to learn.”

For excellence and achievements during his internships, Morgan, of Eau Claire, is a two-time recipient of the university’s Outstanding Cooperative Education and Internship Program Student of the Year Award and the singular 2024 nominee for the National Co-op Student Achievement Award.

“As an engineering intern at Andersen Windows & Doors for three consecutive summers across two different plants, my responsibilities evolved each year as my skills and experience grew. Stout offered the perfect balance of hands-on experience and real-world relevance, and it became the bridge that allowed me to transform my career path,” he said.

Morgan earned his manufacturing engineering degree and crossed the commencement stage on Dec. 20 as one of 527 UW-Stout graduates. He is joining Andersen Windows & Doors’ Engineering Rotational Program, which will allow him to continue growing with a company he deeply respects.

“The program is designed to expose engineers to multiple facets of the business, from process optimization to product design and operations leadership. I see it as an ideal next step to strengthen my technical and leadership skills while discovering where I can make the greatest impact long-term,” Morgan said.

“I hope my story inspires others, especially those navigating career changes or self-doubt, to take that step forward. Growth happens when we lean into discomfort and keep learning,” he added.

How do you hope to make an impact in your field?

I hope to bring a human-centered perspective to engineering, designing systems that improve safety, reduce waste, and make daily work more manageable for the people who use them. 

To me, meaningful engineering goes beyond solving technical problems; it’s about empowering people.

I want to help create workplaces where efficiency and empathy coexist, where improvements benefit both productivity and the wellbeing of employees. Over time, I aim to contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, one that values collaboration, curiosity, and purposeful innovation.

How has UW-Stout prepared you for your field?

UW-Stout has been instrumental in preparing me for my career in manufacturing engineering. The university’s applied learning model allowed me to translate classroom theory into practical experience through labs, simulations and hands-on projects.

Courses in lean manufacturing, capstone and quality engineering closely mirrored the work I did during my internships at Andersen Windows. Professors encourage not just technical mastery, but also communication, teamwork and leadership, skills that are critical in real industrial environments. 

Stout taught me how to think critically, approach challenges methodically, and lead with both data and empathy.

What was your internship experience like at Andersen Windows & Doors?

As an engineering intern at Andersen Windows & Doors, I began by conducting time studies and waste assessments, which gave me a strong foundation in process analysis and data-driven improvement. In my following internship, I focused on enhancing efficiency within the Value-Added Services (VAS) mulling area, a crucial part of the company’s customization process. This included developing a new rack system, redesigning the layout, and implementing 5S standards to improve organization and workflow. 

Most recently, I designed and built a Statistical Process Control (SPC) dashboard that presented real-time quality data in a clear, intuitive way, empowering operators to make faster, more informed decisions and improving overall plant quality. 

Through these projects, I learned that small, thoughtful changes can produce meaningful, measurable results. Most importantly, the experience taught me that lasting improvement comes from observation, collaboration, and the courage to question and refine existing processes.

What stands out about your UW-Stout experience?

What stands out most about my experience at UW-Stout is the incredible culture of support and mentorship. Professors here don’t just teach; they genuinely invest in their students’ growth and take time to connect classroom lessons to real-world applications. 

A perfect example of that is when Dr. Slupe spent an hour and a half out of his busy workday helping me to troubleshoot CNC programming for a capstone project. It wasn’t during office hours, and I wasn’t even in one of his classes at the time; he simply wanted to help me learn. That kind of dedication exemplifies what makes Stout special. 

The combination of strong academics, approachable faculty, and opportunities like internships, capstone projects and industry collaborations truly sets this university apart.

I’ve found tremendous value in team-based projects that mirror professional settings; those experiences taught me as much about leadership, communication, and adaptability as they did about technical problem-solving and design.

I completed a two-semester, industry-sponsored capstone project with a team of engineering students to build a pallet-lifting machine for Ashley Furniture. The machine can lift and hold 6-foot-long, 100-pound pallets off the ground until a stack of 12 is collected.

How did your involvement on and off campus impact your experience?

I was honored to be selected as one of UW-Stout’s 2023 and 2024 Outstanding Cooperative Education and Internship Program Student of the Year Award recipients, and later as the university’s nominee for the National Cooperative Education Student Achievement Award. These recognitions mean a great deal to me because they reflect not only personal growth but also the value of Stout’s hands-on, applied learning approach.

Beyond academics, I’ve been actively involved in Celebrate Recovery, where I help facilitate group sessions that support individuals in their personal healing and growth journeys. I also volunteer with Fierce Freedom, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness about human trafficking and advocates for victims. They recently launched a new resource called Intersections, which provides powerful educational tools and community connections to combat human exploitation. It’s an extremely impactful platform that I highly recommend exploring.

These experiences outside the classroom have helped me grow as a leader and advocate, strengthening my empathy and sense of purpose. They’ve reminded me that meaningful impact often begins not with large gestures, but with service, compassion and a commitment to helping others.

What challenges did you face in earning your degree and how did you overcome them?