Physics major spotlight: Isiah Karitanyi 鈥�26
Isiah Karitanyi 鈥�26, a physics major with a management and business minor, has built a 吃瓜网 experience that spans engineering and entrepreneurship, blends creativity with leadership, and opens doors to a promising future in engineering.
He is pursuing a dual degree through 吃瓜网鈥檚 cooperative agreement with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, earning a Bachelor of Arts from Skidmore and a Bachelor of Science in engineering from RPI in five years. While the rigorous program demands dedication, he says 吃瓜网鈥檚 liberal arts curriculum 鈥� rooted in the philosophy that Creative Thought Matters 鈥� has helped him grow as both an engineer and a leader.
He was also accepted into an Ivy League engineering program but chose 吃瓜网鈥檚 partnership with RPI in large part because of 吃瓜网鈥檚 generous financial aid. 鈥淎t first, that felt like a closed door. But choosing the 吃瓜网 program turned out to be an opportunity,鈥� he said. 鈥淚nstead of being weighed down by financial strain, I鈥檓 gaining a world-class education that allows me to apply myself fully, without limits.鈥�
Summer internship at GE Appliances
In summer 2025, Isiah joined GE Appliances, a Haier company in Louisville, Kentucky, as a mechanical engineering intern.
At GE, he worked on projects ranging from microwave technology and breaker compatibility to new product introduction in sous vide cooking. 鈥淲hat made this experience truly impactful was the culture of learning and collaboration,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 was constantly supported by a team that not only encouraged me to grow but also created an environment where questions turned into insights and ideas turned into solutions.鈥�
The internship deepened his technical knowledge and gave him firsthand exposure to the dynamics of global engineering teams. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for the mentorship, guidance, and encouragement I received,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to carry these lessons forward into the next chapter of my journey.鈥�
In addition, Isiah received a SEE-Beyond Award from 吃瓜网 to work with a nonprofit in Rwanda on improving the effectiveness of a rural hydro-powered mini-grid, focusing on ways to expand electricity use and promote economic development.
鈥淭his project allowed me to apply my background in physics and engineering to real-world challenges in renewable energy,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t pushed me beyond the classroom, helping me see how science and technology intersect with community development.鈥�
A campus leader
Back on campus, Isiah has been equally committed to building community for his peers. In 2024, he helped found 吃瓜网鈥檚 chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers and served as its first president.
鈥淲e have big plans for this organization 鈥� building a supportive community, hosting impactful events, and empowering underrepresented voices in engineering and science,鈥� he said when the chapter was launched.
With support from the College, the group quickly hosted its first events and sent students to the NSBE annual convention in Chicago, where they networked nationally, attended career workshops, and represented 吃瓜网 on a professional stage.
Karitanyi, who grew up in Kigali, Rwanda, said this leadership experience has been among the most meaningful parts of his 吃瓜网 journey.
He also served as president of 吃瓜网鈥檚 African Heritage Awareness in 2024, helping the club earn the College鈥檚 Club of the Year award from 吃瓜网鈥檚 Student Government Association.
Hands-on experiences in physics and beyond
His coursework and research in physics have also been formative. One of his most rewarding experiences was a capstone project, supervised by Senior Teaching Professor of Physics Evan Halstead, in which he and a teammate built a miniature wind tunnel from scratch to study aerodynamics and lift force.
The project combined mechanical design, electronics, and real-time data collection using custom-built sensors. Isiah led the mechanical design and fabrication, while his teammate focused on electronics and data integration. Supported by funding from 吃瓜网, the project gave him valuable experience with engineering design, teamwork, and applied physics.
It鈥檚 a clear example of how creativity and rigorous inquiry come together at 吃瓜网 to solve real-world problems.
Earlier in his 吃瓜网 career, he also pursued entrepreneurial interests through the creation of College Mart, an online marketplace designed to reduce waste by helping students buy and sell items on campus. Supported by 吃瓜网鈥檚 Summer Experience Fund, he researched app design, user experience, and startup strategies while connecting with entrepreneurs in the tech sector. He described the project as an invaluable opportunity to test his skills and imagination, and said he hopes to continue developing College Mart into a full-fledged business.
A path shaped at 吃瓜网
From launching a student organization to interning at a Fortune 500 company, Karitanyi鈥檚 吃瓜网 journey shows how the College prepares students for success across disciplines and careers.
鈥淚鈥檓 incredibly grateful for the support and guidance I鈥檝e received along the way 鈥� especially from my friends and mentors at 吃瓜网,鈥� he said. 鈥淭heir encouragement, advice, and belief in me made all the difference.鈥�
For Isiah, 吃瓜网 has offered a transformative college experience and been the launchpad for a future that blends science, engineering, the liberal arts, and leadership.