SENIOR ENGINEERING STUDENT EXEMPLIFIES GROWTH THROUGH THE COLLABORATORY
Vera Manila ’25
The Collaboratory has a beautiful way of impacting the world and the people who are a part of it. Lauren Seubert ‘23 has experienced this through her involvement with the Collaboratory since her first year at Messiah in 2019. She recognizes some ways that the Collaboratory has influenced her while here at school, and will be able to shape her future even after graduation this spring.
One of the joys of the Collaboratory, Seubert shares, is seeing the value of involvement and the impact that anyone can have. Seubert has been with the Rapid Orthotics for CURE Kenya project for four years. Being a part of this project helped her to “understand the broader impact possible on the world.” Through witnessing the various skills of students who served on the team, she is convinced that everyone can make a contribution. Her Collaboratory project team has been an amazing community of support for Seubert throughout her years at Messiah; within that space, she received mentoring that helped her step into the leadership roles that she later assumed. She feels that these benefits will make a lasting difference well beyond college.
Involvement with the Collaboratory not only opens doors for amazing career opportunities, it also sends students into the world with some incredible first-hand experience, preparation, and inspiration. Seubert says, “People have been astounded by the experience I’ve had, the solutions we’ve implemented, and the impact we’ve been able to have already.” Leaving college, Seubert feels enabled through her time in the Collaboratory to see the big picture of future projects. “The Collab adds value to my experience and the ability to apply knowledge to real life scenarios,” Seubert says. This ability can both set her apart in job applications, and help her to dive in on the first day wherever God takes her.
The Collaboratory helped Seubert grow in her faith through seeing others connect with God. It enabled her to look at her career and see how her aspirations will affect people; how she can help better other peoples’ lives, to the glory of God. From the community, to the value of her current and future work, the Collaboratory has shaped Seubert’s time at Messiah. These lasting impacts willcontinue to support her down the road.
PROFESSOR LOCKWOOD WITNESSES LASTING IMPACT OF COLLABORATORY FIRSTHAND
Josh McFadden ’23
Since 1996, the Messiah Collaboratory has been working to fulfill the mission of becoming God’s approved workers. Going out into the world to serve our neighbors through real-life problem solving is a large part of this mission. For over 20 years, the Collaboratory site teams have been working around the world in all different capacities to serve communities in need and show them the love of Christ. Thousands have benefited by the work that the Collaboratory site teams have done.
Michelle Lockwood, Professor of Engineering and Project Manager of the Clean Accessible Water Solutions and Drinking Water Innovative Purification project teams, witnessed the site teams’ impact firsthand. Lockwood and her family lived in southern Africa for 12 years serving the local community and researching solutions. During her stay in Africa, she witnessed the difference an organized and well-thought-out site team trip can make, not only for those being served but also for the teams themselves. Two teams were sent to assist Lockwood in the early 2000s and both teams transformed the local community in unique ways. Lockwood noted that they improved the physical situation of the Theological College of Zimbabwe (TCZ) by utilizing their skills in engineering. They provided solar power to the school’s campus and its housing facilities. This allowed each building to regulate their energy use, helping the school save on cost and increased their environmental awareness. Along with the physical improvement of the school, both teams were able to impact the communities they served relationally. Lockwood stated, “Locals and students at TCZ loved when the Collab teams came. They quickly befriended the Collab teams which allowed them to connect and share their stories. The people that the teams served were able to feel like they were heard, which is a really important piece of what the Collab teams can do.”
Lockwood accredits the teams’ impact to the fact that both teams came with a purpose and demonstrated their capability to serve people in very practical ways. She noted that a major factor to the teams’ success was their ability to balance work and relationships. Since Lockwood has returned to the U.S., multiple Collaboratory teams have returned to Zimbabwe and the TCZ school to continue to build upon what was started over 20 years ago.
word from the student director
I have been with the Collaboratory for three years, and this organization is one of the main reasons that I chose to come to Messiah. A good friend told me to join her team, Sustainable Mobility, and raved about how great the team dynamic was and how fun it was working on an actual project. From the moment I joined, I not only fell in love with the project but with our team. The Student Project Managers (SPMs) that I have had taught me how to enjoy the process while completing hard tasks. As Student Director, my main goal for this year was to ensure that all the student leaders, Student Board Members (SBMs), Discipleship Community Leaders (DCLs), and SPMs, were equipped to cultivate a productive, and enjoyable work environment. To accomplish this, I designed our August leaders’ workshop with the primary focus of building relationships and working together to achieve our goals. To my delight, I have seen my team and many others reach their goals while creating life-long relationships.
A REFLECTION ON THE COLLABORATORY: AN ALUMNI’S REMARKS
Melody Pha ’25
Karine Moussa ‘17 graduated from Messiah with an electrical engineering degree. She chose engineering due to her innate desire to troubleshoot things and to use her gifts. By and large, Moussa believes her calling is to be a helper, and with engineering, that means using her skills and abilities to solve problems.
After graduation, Moussa worked for Sight and Sound Theatres in their electronics and automation department. Then she transitioned to Johnson Controls for about two years. Currently, Moussa works remotely for NASA as a test conductor for the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Maryland. GSFC focuses on building satellites and instrumentation to obtain data and service satellites in space. The project she works on is called OSAM-1 (On-Orbit Service, Assembly, and Manufacturing 1), a satellite that’s going to help refuel other satellites and limit the need to send people in space.
Looking back, the Collaboratory played a role in helping her live out her calling. The Collaboratory provided a work environment that prepared her for the professional workplace. “The classes gave me my knowledge, but the Collaboratory is basically what I do today,” she explains.
Moussa notes that “The Collaboratory kind of forces you to be an engineer right away. It forces you to be a professional in your field before you’re done even getting the degree.” This was not without difficulty as it challenged students like Moussa to step out of their comfort zones. Being thrown into the Collaboratory gave her a large amount of responsibility, which she felt unprepared for before finishing all her classes. Despite struggling with the feeling of inadequacy at times, she acknowledges that those uncomfortable experiences helped her become more confident in the workforce. “It gives you a glimpse into what it’s like to be in the professional world before you’re actually there. It is the best preparation for your professional life.”
Some words of encouragement Moussa would like to give to current students are for them to imagine the Collaboratory as their job and think about what kind of person they want to be in the workplace. Moussa attests that this is going to prepare students for their job more than anything else.
Moussa cherishes the invaluable lessons the Collaboratory provides. She expresses, “Yes, it is hard. I know that it is hard, but you will draw so much from this experience after entering your professional life.”
IN MEMORIAM: J-Lynn Conrady (1938-2022)
The Collaboratory recognizes J-Lynn Conrady for his incredible life of service to others. In his time of service in the Collaboratory, Conrady influenced and guided many students with his character of gentleness, humility, and grace. Through a sacrifice of time, energy, and finances, Conrady demonstrated his desire and commitment to see students succeed and thrive in an environment that emphasizes learning through application, service to others, and abiding in Christ. Thank you to the Conrady family for all the support you have given to the Collaboratory and the students over the years. May God continue to bless your paths as you aim to serve Him.
A WORD OF PRAYER FOR FIVE SITE TEAM TRIPS TRAVELING INTERNATIONALLY
Jenna O’Connell ’25
This summer we have the honor of sending five Collaboratory teams internationally on site team trips. A site team trip takes our projects from the classroom and into the mission field. Each team has a unique agenda to aid a community and further their project goals. To the right is a list of the teams that are set to travel as well as their location and partner that they will be working with. We ask everyone to keep our teams in your prayers as they travel, contribute to project work, and interact with the surrounding community.
We invite you to join us in praying for our teams:
Heavenly Father, We thank you today for the passion of service and stewardship that you have placed within our students’ hearts. Please be with them as they work to further your kingdom and spread your love to others in need. We ask you to bless their travels and keep them safe. Please lay your hands on our teams and the work that they will be doing on their projects during this time. Father, we pray for you to help each of our teams accomplish their desired goal in your holy name. We ask for your presence throughout these site team trips. If it is your will, please plant seeds within our students and partners so that we may see them nourish and grow for years to come. Help use these students and these faculty to work in the light of your goodness and grace. Allow them to emulate you with the work that they are pursuing as well as their relationships that they are building with their partners. We ask you to guide each and every conversation and interaction to be had. May we glorify you in the work of the Collaboratory and in the lives of our students and faculty. Let your will be done and your love shine through our projects so that we may bring glory to you and your kingdom.
We pray this in your name, the name of Jesus, Amen.
- Mexico: Bridge team partnered with Forward Edge and Trigo y Miel
- Honduras: Coffee Process Water Treatment team partnered with Mission Lazarus
- Zambia: Intelligent Water Project team and Better Pumps team partnered with Unto
- Kenya: Prosthetic Knee team partnered with CURE International
- Nepal: Wheelchair team and Prone Trolley team partnered with International Nepal Fellowship
Student voices
Compiled by Sarah Schall '24
What was the impact that relationships had on your Collaboratory experience?
Micah Clark ʼ24, electrical engineering major
Project: Solar PV team
“The relationships formed with my Collab team and other students have been fundamental to my engineering experience. We struggle through our work together, commiserate with each other, and enjoy each other’s company. And the faculty is there alongside us every step of the way encouraging us!”
Ruth Galyen ʼ23, civil engineering major
Project: Drinking Water Innovative Purification (DWIP) team
“I have developed a strong relationship with my Project Manager, Professor Lockwood. Working with her and students has grown my engineering skills, interpersonal skills, and faith. Professor Lockwood has become my mentor and close friend and is invaluable to my college experience.”
Paige Campbell ’24, biomedical engineering major
Project: Prosthetic Knee team
“My experience at Messiah has truly been enhanced through my involvement in the Collaboratory. I have been inspired by my teammates as they helped me to navigate the various aspects of engineering through our Collab projects.”
Josh Holley ʼ24, mechanical engineering major
Project: Nepal Wheelchair team
“Making connections my first year with senior engineering majors on my Collab team was crucial to my growth. This mentorship and encouragement helped me persevere through the adversity of the challenging courses.
Giving
The Collaboratory could not continue to increase hope and transform lives without a broad team of sponsors. Visit messiah.edu/collabgiving to give online or see our other giving options. The Collaboratory Fund is the area of greatest need.
Connect
There are many ways to be involved with the Collaboratory. Visit messiah.edu/collabconnect more information.
about the collaboratory
Mission: The Collaboratory is a center at Messiah University for applied research and project-based learning, in partnership with client nonprofit organizations, businesses, governments and communities in our region and around the world. Areas of engagement include engineering, science, health and information technology.
Our two-fold mission is:
- To foster justice, empower the poor, promote peace and care for the earth through applications of our academic and professional disciplines.
- To increase the academic and professional abilities of participants, their vocational vision for lifelong servant-leadership and their courage to act on convictions.
Vision: Increasing hope and transforming lives through education, collaboration, innovation and service.
Identity: The Collaboratory is an organization of students, educators and professionals affiliated with Messiah University. We are Christians who aspire to obey the instructions of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to love neighbors as ourselves and to share his Gospel. As God enables us to serve others today, we seek to grow as disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to serve as God’s stewards over the resources of our academic disciplines and to bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of God.
Student staff:
Student director: Rachel Rashford
Assistant student director: Brandon Koehnke
Student administrative assistant: Paige Campbell
Marketing team student leader: Jenna O'Connell
Professional staff:
Director: Jeremy Freimark
Program manager: Bryce Watkins
Sector leaders: Dereck Plante, Andy Erikson, Jeremy Freimark, Bryce Watkins
Marketing team advisor: Alison Johnson
stay connected
Web: messiah.edu/collaboratory
Email: collaboratory@messiah.edu