Robotic arms are commonly used in industry for tasks that require repetition, precision, and sometimes physical effort. With a recent donation from UPS, engineering students at Kennesaw State University (KSU) will now have access to advanced robotic arms for their studies.
UPS has provided 12 industrial robots to KSU’s Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SPCEET) and the College of Computing and Software Engineering (CCSE). Lawrence Whitman, dean of SPCEET, said, “This enables students to have direct access to the robots used in an industrial setting. It will help them to really see how the concepts from their learning are applied.”
SPCEET is one of only six institutions in the United States offering an accredited bachelor’s degree in mechatronics engineering. The program covers subjects such as advanced manufacturing, robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence. Students can study both hardware components and software aspects through hands-on experience with these robots. In CCSE, students will focus on programming the robots and collecting data from them. Senior capstone projects will allow teams from different disciplines to use the donated equipment for practical applications.
“These robots also may aid faculty research in areas such as robotic welding,” Whitman added.
Luis Arriaga, vice president of operations technology at UPS and a member of the KSU Foundation Board of Trustees, said: “Our donation of robotic arms to Kennesaw State University is rooted in a shared belief that real-world exposure is essential to preparing students for the future of work. By integrating advanced tools into the learning environment, students gain practical experience that complements their academic foundation.”
UPS has supported KSU through various initiatives including hosting a Day in the Nest event on campus which offered panel discussions, career mentoring sessions, and recruitment opportunities for internships and full-time positions. Arriaga also serves on SPCEET’s Industry Advisory Board.
“These development opportunities are further enriched when students have the chance to hear directly from industry leaders — learning not just about business strategy, but about the personal journeys and decisions that shape careers,” said Arriaga. “It’s a way to make the future feel more tangible and to show what’s possible when education and industry work together.”
Whitman emphasized that partnerships like this ensure students receive valuable educational experiences that prepare them for employment after graduation.
“UPS is a great ally to our college, specifically with the engagement of Luis himself,” Whitman said. “We’ve talked about how he wants students to see the UPS name. I don’t think it’s obvious to many students that UPS is an engineering company, but I think their presence and visibility really helps them enter the field of possibilities for our students.”
He concluded by noting Georgia’s role as home to major companies like UPS: “It’s great to have a collaboration like this. They see the worth of our students and want them to be part of their workforce.”
