Nathaniel Van Devender wants to show people the light.

Specifically, how and where it’s sourced.

“I’ve realized that not many people (know) how power (is) generated and delivered to our homes,” Van Devender said. “After visiting a power plant for the first time a few years ago… I became enamored with the power industry.”

Van Devender was once an aspiring science teacher. When circumstances ended those plans, he joined the workforce and did information technology (IT) support.

However, Van Devender felt he was selling himself short of bigger possibilities.

“I became disgruntled at the ‘pull and replace’ methodology of problem solving that is common in that industry,” Van Devender said. “I wanted to learn how the devices I used every day – computers, networking equipment, powerlines – actually worked.”

Electrical engineers play a crucial role in making those devices work.

Eager to learn more, Van Devender enrolled as an electrical engineering major in Missouri State’s cooperative engineering program.

‘D’ test grade sparks A+ motivation

Early on, Van Devender faced rare adversity.

For the first time, he received a ‘D’ grade on a school test (his first Circuits 1 exam).

“I quickly realized that this degree was going to require all my efforts if I wanted to pass,” he said. “With that ‘D’ in mind, I decided that I would never say no to any opportunity that arose within the program unless I had to.”

After adopting a new mindset, many positive things happened to Van Devender.

• Starred in a commercial for the Missouri Workforce Incentive Grant.
• Rebooted and led the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) student chapter at MSU.
• Earned multiple scholarship awards.
• Presented at an American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) conference.
• Served as a teacher’s aide under Dr. Rohit Dua.
• Developed a series of power grids and experiments that were displayed at STEM fairs, with help from Dr. Theresa Odun-Ayo.
• Received “Electrical Engineering Honors Scholar” designation.

In May, he earned the prestigious Grainger Power Award scholarship from Missouri S&T.

“When I started (the program), I was not sure that it was a fit for me. I was unsure about my math and ability to be technical,” Van Devender said. “Now, however, I am proud to say that I (graduated) with a 4.0 GPA as an electrical engineering honors scholar with several awards and scholarships under my belt, as well as a published paper.”

Van Devender loves to use his teaching background to share his passion for electrical engineering.

“I intend to maintain my involvement with IEEE and with the school, so that I can continue to teach about the power grid and general electrical engineering.”

Internship leads to full-time job

Van Devender completed his electrical engineering degree in spring 2024.

He’s planning to continue his education and pursue a master’s degree in business administration (MBA).

“I hope to someday lead my own team of engineers,” Van Devender said.

Van Devender’s career is just getting started.

In 2021, he began an internship with Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. (AECI) in Springfield.

Recently, that internship led to a full-time job offer from AECI as a Compliance and Controls Engineer.

“I will be working to ensure the generators that keep the lights on are always running smoothly,” Van Devender said.

He’s ready to apply the tools and traits he developed in the electrical engineering program to his career field.

“My technical knowledge, technical ability and confidence in being a leader have grown infinitely since I began my college journey,” Van Devender said. “I give full thanks to my advisors, Dr. Odun-Ayo and Dr. Rohit Dua, for pushing me to become the best version of myself.”

Study engineering at Missouri State