Mechanical engineering student works to improve lives of veterans

Mary Dickman, a University of Cincinnati mechanical engineering student graduating in May 2020, helped to make a battery-powered retractable cover for the scooter of a Vietnam veteran through Quality of Life Plus (QL+), a nonprofit organization that works with U.S. veterans to improve their lives.

QL+ profiled Dickman on its website. 

The project served as the senior design capstone project for Dickman and her teammates and fellow engineering students, Lauren Williams, Hailey Tippet and Christina Harmon. The team presented its efforts during a digital iteration of the annual CEAS Showcase. The CEAS Tribunal website includes links to the presentations.

UC College of Engineering and Applied Science students have helped QL+ with several other adaptive technology projects, including a butt brake for cyclists who can't grip handbrakes.

Dickman is part of the Accelerated Engineering Degree (ACCEND) program, which allows students to earn bachelor's and master's degrees in a shortened timeframe. She has been offered a position in aircraft design and analysis with GE Aviation following graduation. 

"Working with QL+ for my senior design project has been a great opportunity. QL+ gives students the chance to design, test and build a product that will have a direct impact on a specific individual," Dickman said in the QL+ interview.

Read more about Dickman and QL+ in the profile article.