UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Students from across Penn State had the opportunity to engage directly with engineers, alumni and recruiters from CNH, an equipment and services company focused on agriculture and construction, during CNH Engineering Day, held Oct. 7 at Penn State University Park. The event highlighted real-world applications of engineering, hands-on problem-solving and pathways to careers in sustainable technology and equipment design.
Throughout the day, CNH representatives met with faculty, staff and student organizations, building on the company’s participation in both Penn State’s University-Wide Fall Career Days and the College of Agricultural Sciences Fall Career Fair. The visit reflected CNH’s continued commitment to partnering with the University in areas of research, recruitment and innovation, according to Andrew Tarman, lead engineer for drivetrain validation at CNH and Penn State alumnus.
“Events like Engineering Day allow us to connect directly with the next generation of innovators,” Tarman said. “Penn State students bring fresh ideas and creativity to real-world engineering challenges, and that’s exactly the mindset that drives progress at CNH.”
The event also gave students a firsthand look at CNH’s cutting-edge technology and sustainability initiatives. On the engineering lawn, students took part in the CNH Excavator Basketball Challenge and explored the New Holland T6.180 methane-powered tractor, a model designed to reduce emissions and promote renewable energy in agriculture. More than 300 students stopped by to test their skills, learn about sustainable design and connect with CNH engineers.
To extend the learning experience beyond the demonstrations, CNH partnered with Penn State’s Learning Factory to host a “BUILD Night” challenge. The activity was designed to foster teamwork, creativity and applied problem-solving while mirroring real-world engineering principles. Student teams were given limited materials and one hour to construct load-bearing structures, competing to build the most cost-efficient design. The challenge encouraged collaboration and innovation under pressure, skills that are essential in today’s engineering environments, said Krista Mikkelsen, product development rotational engineer at CNH who earned a degree in biological engineering from Penn State in 2024.
“Coming back to campus and sharing my experience with current students was incredibly rewarding,” Mikkelsen said. “Penn State gave me the foundation to thrive at CNH, where innovation and sustainability are at the heart of everything we do.”
In addition to BUILD Night, the day included an engineering career panel featuring recent Penn State alumni, including Mikkelsen and 2023 mechanical engineering graduate Mitchell Bast. They shared their experiences transitioning from Penn State classrooms to CNH’s product design teams, offering insight into career pathways and professional growth opportunities at the company.
The conversations throughout the day underscored the value of collaboration between academia and industry, according to John Peterson, director of corporate engagement at Penn State.
Representatives from CNH also met with student organizations and faculty members to discuss future research and learning partnerships that align with Penn State’s land-grant mission and CNH’s focus on sustainable innovation.
“Our partnership with CNH demonstrates how industry and academia can work together to create meaningful learning experiences,” Peterson said. “These events help students apply classroom learning to real-world engineering problems while giving companies like CNH direct access to emerging talent.”
The event was coordinated through Penn State’s Corporate Engagement Center, which connects industry partners with University resources and fosters collaborations that aim to benefit students, faculty and corporate innovators alike.
About CNH
CNH is a world-class equipment and services company that sustainably advances the noble work of agriculture and construction workers. The company provides the strategic direction, research and development capabilities, and investments that enable the success of its core brands which includes Case IH, New Holland Agriculture, CASE and New Holland Construction Equipment. Across its brand portfolio, CNH operates 40 manufacturing plants and 49 research and development centers worldwide, employing more than 35,000 people across nearly 170 countries. In 2024, CNH reported $19.8 billion in consolidated revenues and invested approximately $924 million in research and development to drive innovation in sustainable energy, precision technologies and next-generation equipment solutions.