Meet a Fluid Power Scholarship Winner—Alexander Cygan

Programs like the Fluid Power Scholarships are made possible in part by the generous support of industry volunteers as well as NFPA Education and Technology Foundation and Pascal Society donors. Support these efforts by making a donation.

The NFPA Education and Technology Foundation has awarded fourteen $2,000 scholarships to students pursuing fluid power technology fields of study.

Here’s one of the winners, Alexander Cygan. He is attending Johnson County Community College and is enrolled in the Automation Engineering Technology program. We asked Alexander about winning the scholarship…

What does winning a Fluid Power Scholarship mean to you?
I am so thankful and honored to receive this NFPA scholarship. By being awarded this scholarship, it means not only being recognized for my passion for fluid power technology, but for my hard work and dedication as well. This scholarship will make it possible for me to focus on my education and develop the necessary skill set to succeed and make an impact in the automation and fluid power communities.

Why did you choose to learn about fluid power?
An important component to automation and robotics is fluid power. The consistent, faster benefits that are achieved through automation are derived from some form of fluid power technology. There could not be a better, more exciting time to be studying for a career in a field where fluid power plays an integral part.

What are your career aspirations? What type of fluid power job do you hope to get after you graduate?
My career aspirations as an automation technician are to head up a maintenance department that is not only capable of quickly troubleshooting systems but is also implementing predictive maintenance and new connectivity technology. Improving reliability, safety, and efficiency are all aspects I would like to be involved with. I would also like to become a mentor to the next generation to learn about all types of fluid power systems.

The Foundation’s goal is to help individuals enrolled in high schools, technical colleges, and engineering schools pursue their interests in fluid power. For further information about the Fluid Power Scholarship program, contact Amy Zignego, Workforce Program Manager, at azignego@nfpa.com.