From Scholarship Winner to Gentex Intern: Regan Keesler

Gentex intern Regan Keesler was selected as one of two recipients of the 2024 Amanda Clark Scholarship, which provides financial aid to women pursuing college degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

“My parents were really excited when I got it,” Keesler said, “it was super nerve wracking going in for an interview but after I got it, we were all very excited.”

The weight was lifted from Keesler and her family’s shoulders because of the scholarship. Keesler now attends Ferris State University with several STEM classes covered by this opportunity.

Keesler’s passion for STEM began early. From age 11 through her senior year of high school, she was actively involved in robotics. At Zeeland High School, she took on the role of designing the team’s robots, developing creative thinking and problem-solving skills during the 12-week annual robotics program.

As a woman in a male-dominated field, Keesler found inspiration in her mentor, Laura, a chemistry professor at Calvin University. Laura volunteered her time to teach high school students not only the physical and mechanical aspects of robotics but also the marketing side of engineering projects.

Keesler carried those lessons into her recent internship at Gentex. Working in the production department, she contributed to the development of new assembly lines and implemented improvements focused on efficiency. She conducted tests on systems such as the PLACE line, rearview mirrors, and fire protection components.

“I like practicing my problem-solving skills in a controlled environment,” Keesler said.

For example, the fire protection line was having problems with the speakers in the fire alarms. Keesler conducted tests on the speakers and experimented with humidity, testing whether humidity had a correlation with the speakers’ performances. She attended meetings and discussed her findings with her coworkers, while also improving the efficiency of other lines, such as PLACE and auto-dimming mirrors.

She approaches new challenges with curiosity and confidence, embracing every opportunity to learn and grow. One of her favorite aspects of working at Gentex is the strong sense of community.

“Our community at James Street is really awesome,” she said. “There are so many people in leadership roles who started on the floor and have worked alongside the teams.”

Now entering her sophomore year at Ferris State University, Keesler is committed to her studies while thinking ahead to her future career. She hopes to use her degree in a design-related field, such as product or machinery design. Ultimately, she strives for a lifestyle that blends purpose with time for her creative interests, including painting and reading.

Keesler credits her mother as one of her biggest inspirations.

With a strong foundation in STEM and a growing network of mentors and experiences, Keesler is focused on building a career in which she can contribute meaningfully through design and innovation. Whether she ends up working on machines, products, or something entirely new, she’s committed to finding work that challenges her and aligns with her values.