Michael Sanderson is about to be the first Native American student to graduate from NC State’s Master of Engineering Management program. A proud member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina from Robeson County, Sanderson is dedicated to keeping his culture alive while excelling academically and professionally.
His commitment to his community recently earned him the prestigious Sequoyah Fellowship from the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), recognizing his leadership and impact on Native representation in STEM fields. At Pfizer, where he works as a manufacturing automation engineer, Sanderson founded a colleague resource group for Indigenous peoples, which has now reached the enterprise level known as the Global Indigenous Community. This fellowship highlights his dedication to his community and his drive to make a lasting impact in the engineering world. He now serves as the Vice President of the AISES North Carolina Professional Chapter, as the corporate advisor for the NC State AISES Chapter, and as the treasurer for the NC State Native American Alumni Network.
This is part of a larger trend for Sanderson, who served as NC State AISES Chapter special advisor and treasurer for the Multicultural Greek Council during his undergraduate years. Throughout his academic and professional journey, he has consistently been passionate about uplifting his tribe and the broader Indigenous community. From his leadership in student organizations to his initiatives at Pfizer, Sanderson has always prioritized creating opportunities and support systems for Native people to thrive.
The Program couldn’t be more proud of Sanderson and his accomplishments. His success is a testament to his hard work and determination. We celebrate his academic achievements and the doors he’s opened for future Indigenous students and professionals.