For Carter Pelletier ‘27, a junior mechanical engineering major at the University of Hartford, curiosity has been the driving force behind his academic journey. “I’ve always loved building things and learning how they work,” he says. That mindset has shaped not only his choice of major but also the wide range of experiences he’s pursued both inside and outside the classroom.
At UHart, Carter has fully immersed himself in campus life, taking on leadership roles and engaging with technical organizations that have expanded his skills and perspective. As president and project lead of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), he has guided his team through complex challenges, including the design and completion of a rover project that led to a memorable trip to Texas. “After months of hard work, getting to travel with my team and celebrate what we accomplished was incredibly rewarding,” he shares.
In addition to ASME, Carter is an active member of the Autonomous Mobile Robotics Research Team, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, and the Sigma Nu fraternity, where he serves as recruitment chair. Whether collaborating on advanced robotics projects or building connections through campus life, Carter values the balance of technical growth and community.
One aspect he values most about life at UHart is the personalized learning environment. “The small class sizes allow me to build strong relationships with my professors, which is extremely important,” he explains. These close connections have opened doors to meaningful mentorship and hands-on opportunities, two elements that Carter credits as key to his development.
Carter has taken full advantage of experiential learning from his courses and activities at the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture. From research to internships, he has built an impressive portfolio of real-world experience. Currently, he works as a part-time project engineer at Shelby Supply, a Connecticut-based manufacturing company, where he focuses on design, purchasing, and computer-aided design. “It’s a very hands-on environment, and I’ve gained a strong understanding of the manufacturing process while improving my technical skills,” he says.
He has also earned a NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium Undergraduate Research Award, working alongside Professor Ivana Milanovic to simulate and analyze heat shield performance for spacecraft entering the Martian atmosphere. “It’s extremely technical and challenging, but I’m learning so much about research, simulation, and problem-solving,” he notes.
His experience extends even further through a collaborative project with Hartford Hospital, where he works with a multidisciplinary team to improve processes for treating patients with severe rib fractures. Under the guidance of Professor Akin Tatoglu, Carter has strengthened his teamwork, programming, and engineering skills while contributing to work that directly impacts patient care.
Looking ahead, Carter is keeping his options open. Whether pursuing graduate school, entering the workforce, or starting his own business, he feels confident in the foundation he’s built. “UHart has given me leadership experience, technical knowledge, and the confidence to explore different career paths,” he says.
This summer, Carter will take on a new challenge as a project management intern at Eversource, where he aims to further develop his leadership and management skills while exploring another dimension of engineering.
With a strong support system of faculty mentors, including Professors Milanovic and Tatoglu, and a wide range of hands-on experiences, Carter Pelletier is making the most of his time at UHart—and setting himself up for a future full of possibilities.
He also has a vibrant life outside of academics, where he enjoys spending time with friends, family, and his girlfriend, as well as traveling whenever and wherever he can. No matter where his path leads, one thing is certain: Carter is driven by a passion to learn, to build things, and to make an impact on the world.
Carter Pelletier ‘27, College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture alumnusUHart has given me leadership experience, technical knowledge, and the confidence to explore different career paths.