LOUISVILLE, Ky.- May 25, 2023- GE Appliances, a Haier company (GEA), Bullitt County Public Schools, and the University of Louisville’s J.B. Speed School of Engineering announce a partnership between the three organizations to support the next generation of engineering professionals through the Guaranteed Entrance to Engineering School (G.E.E.S) program at the closing event of the GE Appliances Bullitt County Engineering Exploration Program.

Over the past school year, GEA partnered with 22 teams of Bullitt County Public School students to design tiny homes geared to enable independent, yet sustainable living for a local nonprofit organization. All project designs are authentic to the students and focus on disability inclusion, energy sustainability, and food independence to facilitate independent living for all people.

As part of the year-long project, carpentry and electrical trade students designed and built the interior of the house and the solar array that will power the home efficiently. These students are continuously working on the project's future phases as part of earning their school certifications by learning core trade skills - wiring the home, building interior structure, installing cabinetry, and potential deck additions.

“GEA’s engineering and development teams have been working diligently with senior capstone students from Bullitt East and Bullitt Central high school to serve as mentors throughout the school year,” says Michael Ekbundit, director of engineering programs for GE Appliances. “This project and program are so special to me and the students in its impact, we’re changing these kids' lives and opening doors of opportunity that most of us didn’t have at their age.”

Ekbundit has led the program on behalf of GE Appliances for multiple years and is excited to see the next phase of the partnership launch offering students from Bullitt County Public Schools guaranteed entrance to UofL’s Speed School.

"BCPS is excited about our partnership with GEA and The University of Louisville. Our primary goal is to provide our students with relevant learning experiences that extend well beyond the classroom walls. These experiences ignite a passion for learning within our students and truly prepare them for success beyond High School,” says Dr. Jesse Bacon, BCPS Superintendent. “We could not provide these experiences without the support of great community and business partners such as GEA and UofL. We look forward to expanding our relationship into the future and replicating it with other business and industry leaders in our community."

“Our business is laser focused on developing the next generation of advanced manufacturing professionals,” said Katina Whitlock, senior manager of community engagement for GE Appliances. “Our partnerships with local school systems, colleges, universities, and skilled-trade centers are investments in the manufacturing industry as a whole with the ability to positively impact people in our region for generations to come.”

The J.B. School of Engineering is devoted to ushering talent into the Engineering School. A large part of their role as an engineering college is to be instrumental in the pipeline of students from the K-12 grades to college STEM disciplines that will lead in STEM positions in the industry. The G.E.E.S program will provide students with experiences within the engineering field during their high school experience. Through successful completion of the G.E.E.S program, students are guaranteed admission into the University of Louisville’s J.B. Speed School of Engineering.

“The Speed School of Engineering greatly values the relationship we have with GE Appliances,” said Emmanuel Collins, Dean of Engineering.  “And we are excited to have the G.E.E.S. program graduates as students at the Speed School of Engineering.”

GE Appliances also supports Jefferson County Public Schools, Shelby County Public Schools, University of Louisville, Jefferson Community and Technology College, and area nonprofit organizations to expose, inspire, and support students entering academic and professional careers in science, technology, engineering, math, and manufacturing through scholarships, corporate grants, and employee volunteerism, mentoring, and tutoring.

About GE Appliances

At GE Appliances, a Haier company, we come together to make "good things, for life." We're creators, thinkers and makers who believe that anything is possible and that there’s always a better way. We’re a company powered by our people, made stronger through our diversity — allowing us to grow closer than ever before to our owners, anticipate their needs and enhance their lives. We’re certified as a U.S. Great Place to Work ™, named one of the Best Companies for Multicultural Women by Seramount (formerly Working Mother Media), Achievers Top 50 Most Engaged Workplaces, received a perfect score for the fourth year in a row on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, and named one of the top 100 Internship Programs by Way Up.

Since 1907, we’ve built innovative, quality products that are trusted in half of all U.S. homes. We sell appliances under the Monogram®, Café™, GE Profile™, GE®, Haier and Hotpoint brands. Our products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, wine & beverage centers, air conditioners, small appliances, water filtration systems and water heaters.

To learn more about our company, our brands, our Corporate Citizenship efforts, our economic impact, and working for GE Appliances visit geappliancesco.com.

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