2023 Young Alumni Award
Nicki Bonczyk '14
2023 YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENT
Nicki Bonczyk is passionate about giving back to her community and encouraging the next generation of Laker engineers. Bonczyk is an engineering onboarding lead at JR Automation, where she oversees the onboarding and training experience for JR’s 11 North America locations.
She graduated in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in product design and manufacturing and began working at JR through the GVSU Co-Operative education program. In her role at JR, Bonczyk enjoys connecting with current GVSU students and alumni and supporting them on their engineering journeys.
Bonczyk first visited GVSU as a high school student competing in a FIRST Robotics event. FIRST is a global robotics community that prepares young people for the future through inclusive, team-based robotics programs. Since 2009, Bonczyk has volunteered with FIRST in many roles including as a coach, mentor and referee. Since 2019, she has served as the event and volunteer coordinator for FIRST events at GVSU, where she recruits dozens of fellow graduates to volunteer for the program.
In 2017, she was a STEP Ahead Award National Honoree for Outstanding Female in the field of manufacturing. Bonczyk also volunteers with the Grand Haven Musical Fountain and the American Cancer Society by organizing Relay For Life and the West Michigan Farm to Table events.