Versatility is key to chemical engineer's success

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—After completing his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and now pursuing two master’s degrees in chemical engineering and engineering management at Western Michigan University, Evan Collins is firmly focused on his future while remaining grateful to the people and meaningful experiences that allowed him to achieve his dreams.

“Pursuing an engineering degree and career isn’t always easy, but Western provides the opportunities to be greater—for yourself, your family, your community and the world,” says Collins. “My journey at Western has been shaped by the incredible people I’ve been surrounded by, all working toward greatness. I have had the freedom to be unapologetically myself and practice my faith without discrimination. Becoming a chemical engineer was once just a dream, but thanks to Western, that dream has become a reality.”

And while Collins embraces the culture, opportunities and support open to him at Western, his childhood education was shaped by the challenges of dyslexia. Even so, he faces the demands of his chosen field head on.  

“Overcoming these academic hurdles is an important chapter in my story,” says Collins. “Success is possible. If I can do it, so can you.”  

For Collins, the versatility of the chemical engineering field and the opportunity to apply it in various sectors is appealing. He is also drawn to the range of problems to solve in various industries such as manufacturing, energy, water treatment, aerospace and healthcare.  

“I aim to use my skills to impact both my country and the world,” says Collins. “Ultimately, I hope to transition into private equity investing, making an impact on a global stage. The limitless possibilities in this field are exciting.”

Collins grew up around the plastics industry—his father was the owner of Eagle Film Extruders in Grand Rapids. “Attending tradeshows exposed me to the intersection of business and technical processes in manufacturing. During these experiences, I asked professionals for advice, and many encouraged me to pursue chemical engineering.”

Motivated by this encouragement, Collins earned an associate’s degree in business administration during high school and followed up with a second associate’s degree in engineering, both from Kalamazoo Valley Community College, before transferring to Western. What made WMU appealing was the seamless integration of his KVCC credits and the people who helped him along the way, including Dr. James Springstead, professor of chemical and paper engineering.

“Dr. Springstead always went the extra mile to answer my questions and further my understanding and has been crucial to my success in the chemical engineering program,” Collins says. “His support has been invaluable, and I have learned to believe in myself because of his confidence in me.”

He says participating in the senior engineering design project was the highlight of his undergraduate education.  

“My group partnered with Green Bay Packaging. We were able to apply the skills and knowledge we had gained over the years to help them optimize their water treatment system resulting in $4.2 million in savings. Presenting our findings to classmates, family, and faculty was a true testament to the hard work and dedication the degree represents.”

His education extends beyond the classroom. For two years, he worked as an operations intern for Oldcastle Infrastructure, a CRH Company. He supported 29 plants across the central region, working in both operational excellence (OPEX) and capital expenditure (CAPEX) departments. “As a process engineer in OPEX, I helped optimize areas such as mix design, material handling, and process flows,” explains Collins. “For CAPEX, I analyzed various KPIs to determine how capital should be allocated across the plants. Once budgets were established, I led projects through the lifecycle.”

And now as a graduate student, Collins is exploring both of his interests: the technical and managerial sides of engineering with his graduate work. “Pursuing master’s degrees at Western will provide me with advanced technical knowledge and leadership skills, positioning me to succeed in my chosen career path,” he says.

That career path includes continuing to work in chemical engineering in industries related to sustainability and energy and exploring opportunities in private equity investing.  

“I look forward to contributing to the growth and refinement of the global economy, which will require responsible production practices and sustainable infrastructure,” says Collins.

“As a chemical engineer, I’m excited about the role I will play in shaping industries to be more efficient, environmentally responsible, and safer. The biggest challenge is balancing growth with sustainability, ensuring that industries meet the needs of the present without compromising future generations.”

You can follow Collins career on LinkedIn.

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