Oakland University students earn 2026 Pawley Lean Institute scholarships

The Pawley Lean Institute at Oakland University has awarded 2026 scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students recognized for their achievement in Lean thinking and applied problem solving.

Undergraduate Pawley Lean Scholarships for 2026 were awarded to Diego Ayala Millan, a mechanical engineering student in the School of Engineering and Computer Science; Kyle Brauze, an integrated studies student; and Princess Harrison, a health sciences student who received a Doman Family Lean Scholarship.

Pawley Lean Graduate Scholarships for 2026 were awarded to Nicholas Subagyo and Riffat Juthi, both from the School of Engineering and Computer Science, as well as Lauren Long from the School of Education and Human Services.

“All of these students demonstrated working knowledge of Lean concepts as well as practical application of those concepts,” said Dennis Wade, director of the Pawley Lean Institute. “We are very excited to use our funds to support the education of Oakland University students and know that the Lean concepts these students have acquired will serve them well in the future.”

Faculty across disciplines echoed Wade’s enthusiasm, emphasizing the broader academic impact of Lean education.

“We are honored to have our undergraduate and graduate industrial and systems engineering students receive these scholarships,” said Dr. Vijitashwa Pandey, chair of the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department. “Lean is an important component of an engineer’s skill set, and the School of Engineering and Computer Science works closely with the Pawley Lean Institute to improve our students’ ability to apply Lean concepts and tools to real-world projects.”

Leaders in other academic units also highlighted the value of Lean education across disciplines.

“We are so pleased to see our students embrace our Lean curriculum and be recognized within the School of Education and Human Services,” said Dr. William Solomonson, chair of the Department of Organizational Leadership.

These interdisciplinary scholarships are available to all Oakland University students who demonstrate Lean learning through coursework, projects or workplace experience.

Designed to benefit students, schools, nonprofits, government and industry, the Pawley Lean Institute shares the concepts and practices of Lean thinking to create leaders and learners across the University, public and private sectors, and the broader community.

The scholarships hold special meaning for the Institute’s founder, Dennis Pawley, whose vision helped expand Lean education opportunities for students across disciplines.

“To see students grasp these concepts is extremely satisfying to me,” Pawley said. “I want to personally recognize the accomplishments of these student award recipients.”

That pride is shared by longtime supporters of Oakland University’s Lean curriculum.

“Paula and I are extremely pleased to be part of the Lean Scholarships,” said Mark Doman, former professor in Oakland University’s human resource development program. “It is great to see students who excel using Lean tools to further their education and learning.”

For more information, including how to apply for future awards, visit the Pawley Lean Institute web page.