Roxann Poole, a graduate student in Robotics Engineering at Columbus State University, is gaining practical experience through an internship in technology engineering at Pratt & Whitney’s Columbus Engine Center. Her journey to this point was nontraditional, as she left high school while experiencing homelessness and earned her GED before working from the age of 16.
“I dropped out of high school while facing homelessness and wasn’t sure what my future would look like,” Poole said. “But I obtained my GED and started working at 16 to help make ends meet. I was determined to build something better for myself, even if I didn’t quite know how yet.”
After earning an associate degree from Chattahoochee Valley Community College, Poole enrolled at Columbus State University (CSU), where she discovered her interest in robotics engineering. She credited CSU with making higher education accessible for students who return later in life or work full-time. “Institutions like Columbus State make higher education accessible and affordable for students like me—people who return to school later in life, work full-time or are simply looking for a second chance,” she explained.
Columbus State University offers Georgia’s only bachelor’s and master’s degrees in robotics engineering through its College of Letters & Sciences’ Department of Earth & Space Sciences. The program combines theoretical study with practical application to prepare students for careers related to robotics, automation, hardware development, software development, and machine learning. As part of the University System of Georgia, CSU supports academic achievement and community engagement across multiple campuses.
Poole is applying skills learned at CSU directly through the university’s partnership with Pratt & Whitney—a company known globally for designing and servicing aircraft engines. The nearby Columbus Engine Center maintains engines used by major aircraft families such as Embraer E-Jets E2, Airbus A220, Airbus A320neo, as well as F117 and F100 engines.
“I’m excited to be part of Georgia’s growing workforce and to help build a future where technology and opportunity come together,” Poole said about her time at Pratt & Whitney. “I’m developing automated technologies that help advance Georgia’s aerospace and manufacturing sectors. From mechanical design and control systems to programming and automation integration, we don’t just learn about technology at Columbus State; we build it.”
During her studies at CSU—a public institution founded in 1958 that now offers undergraduate through doctoral programs—Poole gained hands-on experience with embedded systems, mechanical design, automation projects involving drone navigation, robotic combat vehicles, reinforcement learning applications, as well as proficiency in various programming languages (official website).
Poole recognized the support provided by faculty members such as Dr. Mohammad Jafari: “Dr. Mohammad Jafari has encouraged my potential and guided me through every challenge.” She also described working alongside experts at Pratt & Whitney as an opportunity to see advanced aerospace manufacturing firsthand.
“Over time, I have seen her evolve into a confident problem-solver who not only masters technical concepts but also applies them creatively,” said Dr. Jafari. “Her ability to connect theory with hands-on work in these rapidly advancing domains is a testament to her dedication and resilience.”
Dr. Jafari highlighted the value of internships: “Internships bridge the gap between academic learning and industry expectations, particularly in fields shaped by rapid growth in artificial intelligence and machine learning, robotics, and autonomous systems. These opportunities give students the confidence and skills they need to succeed. As faculty, we see firsthand how transformative these experiences can be, and Roxann’s success is a perfect example of that impact.”
Poole completed her undergraduate degree at CSU in 2025; she expects to finish her master’s next summer with plans for a full-time career—ideally continuing with Pratt & Whitney—and hopes eventually to become a senior robotics or automation engineer leading teams on innovative projects within Georgia’s manufacturing sector.
Her advice for others facing obstacles: “Your background doesn’t define your potential. You can start from anywhere and still make an impact in your career and in your community.”
