Bryce Roberts ‘27, a junior majoring in aerospace engineering, is making the most of his University of Hartford experience by combining academic rigor, leadership, and hands-on industry experience. Set to graduate in spring 2027, Bryce has embraced every opportunity to grow both personally and professionally during his time at UHart.
Drawn to aerospace engineering by a lifelong fascination with flight and a strong aptitude for math and physics, Bryce found the discipline to be a challenging and rewarding fit. “Aerospace has been a welcome challenge that interests me greatly,” he said.
Outside the classroom, Bryce is actively involved in many campus activities. He is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) club and serves as president of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Through his leadership role, Bryce has developed strong communication and organizational skills while building lasting friendships. Some of his favorite memories come from spending time with his fraternity brothers and enjoying shared activities that strengthened their sense of community.
For Bryce, the people at UHart have made the biggest impact. “I have met so many amazing friends that I want to stay connected with long after my time at UHart ends,” he shared.
Bryce credits CETA’s project-based learning approach for preparing him for real-world engineering work. Experiences such as presenting projects to peers at the Design Expo helped him develop essential skills in planning, execution, teamwork, and communication. “Being able to formulate a plan, execute it, and present results as part of a team is one of the most important skills to have as an engineer,” he said.
Bryce also highlights the close-knit nature of CETA students and staff as a major advantage. With smaller class sizes and consistent collaboration, he has been able to build meaningful professional relationships that he expects will extend into his post-graduate career.
That preparation paid off during his first internship, at Hanwha Aerospace in Newington, Connecticut, where he served as a manufacturing engineering intern. Hanwha Aerospace specializes in aircraft engine components, including rotating parts such as compression stage disks and blisks. During his internship, Bryce contributed to a wide range of projects, including creating Production Part Approval Processes (PPAPs), developing 3D models for manufacturing, and drafting operations sheets. He returned to the company over the winter break and plans to continue there in the summer.
“The atmosphere was my favorite part of the internship,” Bryce recalled. “My manager and supervisor were incredibly helpful and supportive, and I felt like a true part of the team right away.” The collaborative environment allowed him to gain extensive knowledge of aerospace manufacturing, while also becoming a valued team member.
Bryce credits his advisor, Professor Paul Slaboch, for consistent academic and professional guidance, as well as UHart’s Allan Center for Career and Professional Development, which helped him secure his internship. His first interaction with Hanwha Aerospace came through a campus career fair, followed by a facility tour during Career Exploration Day, two experiences that helped him make meaningful connections with industry professionals.
Looking ahead, Bryce plans to pursue graduate school while continuing to build his skills through hands-on, on-the-job experience in his chosen field. With a strong foundation in engineering, leadership, and industry engagement, he is well on his way to a successful future in aerospace.
Outside of academics and work, Bryce enjoys playing video games, reading, and spending time with friends. All told, he has a well-rounded, well-balanced, and fulfilling college career at the University of Hartford.
Bryce Roberts ‘27, Aerospace Engineering Student, CETAThe atmosphere was my favorite part of the internship. My manager and supervisor were incredibly helpful and supportive, and I felt like a true part of the team right away.