Multiple leaders on the CU-ICAR campus and numerous corporate partners were recognized on the inagural list of most influential business leaders in the South Carolina produced by SCBIZ. This list honors the individuals in South Carolina that are shaping business, culture, and community across the state. The following individuals on the CU-ICAR campus were highlighted and the full list can be found here.

David Clayton
Executive Director, CU-ICAR
Associate Vice President for Economic Development, Clemson University

Ramy Harik
Director, Clemson Composites Center
Exxon Mobil Employees Endowed Professor

Dan Russian
President & CEO,
Sage Automotive Interiors

The Virtual Prototyping of Autonomy-Enabled Ground Systems Research Center (VIPR-GS) and Clemson University are celebrating the achievements of its recent fall and spring semester Honors College interns who worked closely with faculty members on advanced research projects involving autonomy, robotics, coding, and engineering.

These internships have provided the students involved with a unique opportunity to gain real-world experience in an academic and research setting. Each project helps to prompt VIPR-GS’s ongoing mission: Create advanced tools for virtual prototyping and agile physical prototyping, driven by research breakthroughs in autonomous off-road vehicles and next-generation propulsion technologies. The initiative also focuses on intelligent fleet energy management, enabling more efficient, adaptable, and sustainable development and deployment of off-road vehicle systems.

The interns collaborated directly with professors on projects involving CAD programs, coding through Python, autonomy kits, creating models, learning sensor setups, and many more exciting and innovative skills.

Jacob Davis, one of the interns that was chosen to work through this program, describes his time as “dynamic and fast-paced”. He said, “As a part of my VIPR internship, I joined Yunyi Jia’s CRA (Collaborative Robotics and Automation) Lab. Over the past semester I have worked on a project involving research for an autonomy kit solution for an industry partner.” Through many hours of research and testing Jacob, accompanied by graduate students in Jia’s lab, was able to “collect and set up a robust array of sensors on the autonomous RZR vehicle for testing autonomy algorithms.”

Jacob Davis validating research in a Polaris RZR equipped for autonomy.

This internship program was designed to prepare students for careers in research, engineering, modeling, simulations, and autonomy. By working side-by-side with Clemson University researchers, interns not only deepened their technical knowledge but also developed soft skills like communication, time-management, and problem-solving.

Katelynn Hughes, an intern who worked closely with Apparao Rao and Greg Mocko to develop her coding and modeling skills said that this opportunity has allowed her to “create a clearer idea of what career I wanted to pursue with my degree.” Internships like this are more than just resume builders, they provide hands-on experience, foster mentorship, and allow students to see firsthand how their academic learning applies in high-impact research environments. Among many things, Katelynn learned how to develop code using Python, Siemens NX, and creating assemblies in different CAD programs.

Throughout the school year, interns also got the opportunity to participate in lab meetings and progress presentations. These experiences specifically help to bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical application. Jeff Fine, Senior Associate Dean of the Clemson University Honors College, said “Internships are excellent opportunities for students to expand their networks and explore potential careers. Our top students and alumni often talk about how an internship experience helped them figure out what they want to do or in some cases what they don’t want to do. Both outcomes are invaluable for students to find their passion and their path.”

Preethika Yetukuri  presented research findings at the VIPR-GS Research Center annual review.

According to The Princeton Review, Clemson University was ranked 11th nationally for “best public schools for internship opportunities.” This recognition highlights Clemson’s strong focus on experiential learning, career readiness, and its commitment to connecting students with real-world professional experiences that prepare them for life after graduation.

As the program looks ahead, VIPR-GS is committed to expanding internship opportunities and strengthening partnerships across disciplines and institutions to support future cohorts of student researchers.

Learn more about the VIPR-GS Research Center here.

Acknowledgment: This work was supported by Clemson University’s Virtual Prototyping of Autonomy Enabled Ground Systems (VIPR-GS), under Cooperative Agreement W56HZV-21-2-0001 with the US Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC).

Clemson University has made history by awarding the nation’s first-ever Bachelor of Science degrees in Automotive Engineering. A brick-laying ceremony held this week at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) honored the inaugural graduating class—four students whose names are now permanently engraved in a brick pathway at CU-ICAR, symbolizing their role in paving the way for future automotive engineers.

This milestone comes more than two decades after the Clemson University Board of Trustees approved the creation of an automotive engineering degree program—the first, and still the only, academic program of its kind. Initially established as a graduate-level initiative, the program began enrolling students in 2006 and awarded its first master’s and Ph.D. degrees in 2009. Since then, over 1,110 graduate degrees have been conferred. In 2022, guided by input from leading industry partners, Clemson expanded its program to the undergraduate level, aiming to meet the growing demand for engineers with specialized automotive training.”

“Looking back now, after almost 20 years, I see a vibrant graduate program that has really found its footing and offers a unique learning experience to students from around the world,” said Laine Mears, Director of the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering and BMW SmartState Chair of Automotive Manufacturing. “Launching the undergraduate program three years ago was the next step in providing one-of-a-kind experiences to an even broader cohort of students. The Department of Automotive Engineering has built something never before seen, and I could not be prouder to be a part of it.”

The Automotive Engineering program is designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers in the mobility industry. The interdisciplinary curriculum integrates deep technical training with a modern systems-engineering approach, while also incorporating leadership and business acumen critical to thriving in today’s global economy. Students are immersed in practical, hands-on experiences, as well as cutting-edge research in emerging areas such as autonomous vehicles, electrification, and sustainable transportation. The program’s effectiveness is evident: over 96% of graduates are currently employed in the mobility industry.

Anand Gramopadhye, Dean of the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences, noted that this moment reflects years of vision, partnership, and purpose. “This milestone is a testament to Clemson’s commitment to aligning education with the evolving needs of industry,” said Gramopadhye. “From concept to execution, the undergraduate program in automotive engineering was designed in close collaboration with our industry partners. I’m so proud to see our students stepping directly into impactful roles and advanced study, ready to drive innovation in a sector that shapes the future of mobility.”

Although most of the first undergraduate cohort will graduate at ceremonies later this year or early 2026, these four students accelerated their path by applying previously earned credits and completing required senior-level courses early, becoming the first to finish the undergraduate program:

• Garrison Bishop (Spartanburg, SC) also earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University and has accepted a role at Imperial Die Casting.
• Matthew Flaim (Yorktown Heights, NY) will begin graduate studies in Automotive Engineering at CU-ICAR this fall.
• Trevor Levine (Irmo, SC) served on staff at the Makerspace at CU-ICAR and has accepted a position at Bertrandt US Inc.
• Colin Luongo (Oxford, GA) will begin graduate studies in Automotive Engineering at CU-ICAR this fall.

The brick-laying ceremony not only honored these students’ individual achievements, but also celebrated Clemson’s pioneering role in shaping the next generation of automotive leaders. As the field continues to evolve, Clemson remains at the forefront of innovation, education, and industry collaboration.

Key Milestones in Clemson’s Automotive Engineering Program:

• 2002: BMW, Timken and Michelin endow professorships to help establish Automotive Engineering program
• 2002: Graduate program approved by Board of Trustees
• 2006: First students enrolled in Automotive Engineering program
• 2007: Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research established
• 2009: First master’s & Ph.D. degrees awarded
• 2010: Department of Automotive Engineering formed
• 2010: Deep Orange education program established
• 2022: Undergraduate program approved by Board of Trustees
• 2023: Bachelor of Science in Automotive Engineering launched with 35 students
• 2025: First Bachelor of Science in Automotive Engineering degrees awarded

For more information about Clemson’s automotive engineering programs, visit clemson.edu/automotive-engineering.