PCE News
Nick Baine named to James R. Sebastian Endowed Chair
May 04, 2026
Grand Valley State University’s Padnos College of Engineering (PCE) has named Nick Baine, PhD, to the James R. Sebastian Endowed Chair in Engineering Cooperative Education and Educational Development, a reimagined position focused on preparing students for today’s workforce while strengthening partnerships across the region.
Baine, who serves as an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering, will provide vision, mentorship, and assessment to strengthen and evolve PCE’s cooperative education program to best serve the needs of students and the broader community. Additionally, Baine will provide strategic guidance and expertise to PCE’s education, research, and professional development opportunities.
Baine started at Grand Valley in 2013 and earned his bachelor’s degree, master of science in engineering, and PhD at Wright State University and an MBA at GVSU. In addition to his teaching role, Baine supports students and faculty in a variety of ways including serving as the faculty advisor for Laker Racing (GVSU’s Formula SAE Team), which builds and showcases a small Formula-style race car. Baine also assists with the Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society and is the Electrical Engineering Program Chair within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
“Nick’s commitment to our students, to the Padnos College of Engineering and to Grand Valley, is all encompassing,” said Adebayo Ogundipe, Padnos College of Engineering Dean. “His leadership, innovation and service make him the perfect choice for this role, in which his passion for teaching and learning will help both our college and our industry partners.”
The Sebastian Chair was established by James R. and Audrey M. Sebastian. The Sebastians provided significant support to GVSU's Engineering program through the years with the creation of an internship program in 1969, the introduction of the co-op program in 1987, and helping launch the campaign for the Keller Engineering Laboratories Building. Today, James and Audrey's legacy is carried on through their family and the Sebastian Foundation, where they continue to support GVSU and partner with the Padnos College of Engineering.
“I’m honored to have this opportunity and to continue the legacy of James R. Sebastian and the positive impact he made on GVSU and the local engineering community,” said Nick Baine, PhD, GVSU Engineering Associate Professor. “Building on the long and successful history of our college and our co-op program, I will work to ensure that our students and our partners are getting what they need to succeed in the modern world.”
Baine will serve as the endowed chair for a term of three years. He will begin his appointment in the 2026 fall semester.