Zack Okun

For some students, engineering is about solving problems. For others, it is about building something bigger. For Zack Okun, a Grand Challenges Scholar, Outstanding Graduate, Impact Awardee and the Spring 2026 Undergraduate Convocation Speaker, it has become both.

“I came to Arizona State University because it offered the scale, flexibility and ambition I was looking for,” he says. “I wanted to be in an environment where I could pursue research, entrepreneurship, leadership and service all at once.”

Graduating this 2026, Okun earned his bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering from the School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU. His achievements include recognition as a Flinn Scholar, Coca-Cola Scholar, Leadership Scholarship Program member and Congressional Award gold medalist, along with multiple national and university scholarships supporting his academic and leadership work.

He chose manufacturing engineering for its real-world focus and ability to bring ideas to life.

“I was drawn to the idea of not just designing solutions, but actually building and scaling them in the real world,” he says.

In the 3DX Research group, he studied advanced manufacturing, including work supported by the Department of War Scalable Asymmetric Lifecycle Engagement, or SCALE, program on microelectronics and bio-inspired design. His contributions led to multiple peer-reviewed publications and project presentations at the Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium.

At the same time, Okun expanded his impact beyond the lab. He co-founded the AI startup, myFacilities and founded STEMducate, a nonprofit that has reached more than 30,000 students across all 50 states and 30 countries. The organization focuses on expanding access to STEM education through competitions, curriculum and workforce partnerships.

“I was motivated by the belief that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not,” he says. “I wanted to help create more accessible pathways for students to explore engineering.”

Leadership played a central role in his experience. Okun served as president and chair of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Student Chapter, president of Building Engineering Solutions Today at Barrett, the Honors College, co-president of Fulton Ambassadors and more.

After graduation, Okun plans to pursue a doctoral degree in systems engineering at ASU. Looking ahead, his goal is to bridge the gap between research and industry.

“I want to build a company that creates meaningful engineering solutions and gives back by supporting the next generation of innovators,” he says.

Favorites

Hobby: Public speaking
Musician: Billy Joel
Sports team: Phoenix Suns
Game: Monopoly
TV show: White Collar

Read about other exceptional graduates of the Fulton Schools’ spring 2026 class.

Written by Aisha Kaddi