Supported by a $500,000 gift from Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Massey Jr., the new program supports high-achieving School of Computing & Engineering students who indicate a desire to continue beyond their bachelor’s degree toward an MBA. Fellows selected for the 2025-2026 inaugural cohort are in their second year of the School of Computing & Engineering’s rigorous 3+1 accelerated dual-degree program.

As President and CEO of Massey’s Plate Glass and Aluminum Inc., one of the nation’s top contract glaziers, Massey recognizes the vital need to bridge the gap between technical excellence and business leadership skills.

“That business leadership component is something that’s needed. Engineers are brilliant, but when they become a manager or a Vice President of Engineering, a lot of their job is going to involve complex business and leadership skills. It’s all part of it,” Massey said.

Based in Branford, Connecticut with offices in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, Massey’s Plate Glass & Aluminum Inc. is a premier Northeast contract glazier. With over 50 years of industry experience, the firm specializes in engineering eco-sustainable facades and complex, large-scale glazing systems for commercial, healthcare and educational sectors.

At Quinnipiac, the Massey Leadership Fellows program supports the development of essential business leadership skills in exceptional engineering students, empowering them to thrive in both complex business environments and entrepreneurial ventures.  Fellows receive exclusive development opportunities including seminars, guest lectures, networking with industry leaders and School of Computing & Engineering dean’s office leadership guidance and mentoring.

The inaugural 2025-2026 cohort of five students was instituted with the start of the fall 2025 semester, said School of Computing & Engineering Dean Taskin Kocak.

“The Massey Leadership Fellows program has already made a meaningful and lasting impact on the School of Computing & Engineering. Thanks to the generosity of the Massey family, we are able to support our highest-achieving students as they develop the leadership, communication and professional skills that will elevate their careers at the intersection of engineering and business,” Kocak said.

The Massey family’s deep ties and contributions to Quinnipiac underscore their belief in the transformative impact of giving back to help shape the future for students and the university. Daughters Morgan '15 and Taylor '15 first followed their mom, Shelley (Ezold) Massey ’88, to Quinnipiac as undergraduates, later followed by their brother Brandon ’21. To give back, Bobby and Shelley Massey joined the Quinnipiac Parents & Families Leadership Council. In addition to serving as ambassadors for outreach and campaign efforts supporting university goals, the Masseys went on to lead the council as inaugural co-chairs. Today, Bobby Massey Jr. also serves on the President’s Advisory Council with Quinnipiac President Marie Hardin.

Massey said he’s very impressed with the implementation of the Massey Leadership Fellows program through the efforts of Quinnipiac, Dean Kocak, and his School of Computing & Engineering leadership team.

“I'm really proud of the kickstart that they’ve given this program,” Massey said. “The vision that's been there at the School of Computing & Engineering has just been unbelievable. With this program responding to something that’s really needed in the industry, I see the engineering program growing even more.”

Kocak said the first cohort of Massey Leadership Fellows is thriving.

“Our inaugural cohort has embraced every opportunity — seminars, mentorship and engagement with industry leaders — with remarkable enthusiasm and purpose,” Kocak said. “The Massey Fund is helping us nurture exceptional young engineers who are poised to become thoughtful, innovative leaders in their fields.”

Together with Kocak, Massey Leadership Fellows mentors are School of Computing & Engineering Associate Dean Brian O’Neill and Assistant Dean for Student Experience and Career Development John Bau. The 2025-2026 Massey Leadership Fellows are mechanical engineering majors Zachary Chapman ’27, MBA ’28; Megan Jansky ’27, MBA ’28; Neal Kapadia ’27, MBA ’28; Conner Kass ’27, MBA ’28 and industrial engineering major Jesse Steinvurzel ’27, MBA ’28.

“One aspect I really like about the fellowship is the mentorship component,” Chapman said. “Each fellow is paired with a senior faculty member in the School of Computing & Engineering, which gives us another advisor and sounding board outside of our normal coursework. I think it’s valuable to have that additional perspective as I continue to develop both personally and professionally.”

In November, Massey Leadership Fellows met exclusively with European entrepreneur Gábor Bojár during a special luncheon. Bojár shared his remarkable journey of founding the $100 million architectural software company Graphisoft from behind the Iron Curtain in 1980’s Hungary. He also discussed his visionary development of Budapest’s Graphisoft Park and Aquincum Institute of Technology (AIT). Specifically designed for IT, biotech, and research and development companies, Graphisoft Park is also home to AIT, founded by Bojár in 2007 as a study abroad opportunity for North American undergraduates.

Chapman said hearing Bojár discuss his remarkable transition from engineer to businessman, while also sharing captivating firsthand accounts of meeting tech titans such as Steve Jobs, was fascinating and deeply informative.

“Gábor Bojár spoke to us about his experiences in business, entrepreneurship and what it means to be an effective leader. Hearing from speakers like him helps make the program feel dynamic and exposes us to ideas and perspectives that we don’t normally encounter in the classroom,” Chapman said.

Kass is grateful to the Massey Leadership Fellows program for providing him with this invaluable experience.

“Hearing about his journey, from working alongside Steve Jobs to help bring Macintosh computers into Hungary during a time of political conflict, to later founding his own company and developing CAD software, this experience was incredibly inspiring,” Kass said. “He spoke openly about the challenges he faced along the way and shared valuable advice about leadership, persistence and innovation. Listening to his story and having the opportunity to ask questions about his leadership experiences gave me valuable insight into how I can continue developing my own leadership skills.”

Meeting regularly with Deanery mentors and with members of the cohort is another exceptional element of the Massey Leadership Fellows program, said Kass, who is being mentored by Dean Kocak.

“One of the most valuable aspects so far has been the opportunity to have individual mentorship meetings with Dean Taskin Kocak. Those conversations have given me a chance to talk about my goals in engineering and business, while also receiving thoughtful guidance on leadership and career development,” Kass said. “In addition, the regular lunches with the cohort have created a great environment to learn from one another and build connections with faculty and professionals.”

Jansky appreciates how the Massey Leadership Fellows program creates an accessible environment to discuss and develop career aspirations with faculty and other students.

“It has also opened my eyes to many stories of leaders in engineering, as well as opportunities in various fields of engineering. It has had a great impact on my development as a leader not only in engineering but as a whole,” said Janksy.

Steinvurzel said the Massey Leadership Fellows program is broadening horizons by connecting students with a wealth of resources across the Quinnipiac campus and throughout the professional landscape.

“My mentor, Professor John Bau, has guided me through the process of internship application and the career planning journey. The fellowship has also equipped me with interview and communication skills that have proved vital to navigating my future as an engineer. Overall, the Massey Leadership Fellows program is serving as a pivotal bridge between my academic foundation at Quinnipiac and my professional evolution, transforming my potential into a practical, career-ready path in engineering,” Steinvurzel said.  

The Massey Leadership Fellows program also creates a unique cross-disciplinary space for students to discuss leadership and future career paths, Chapman said.

“It’s bringing together a strong group of students from different engineering disciplines and creating a great environment for conversations about leadership, opportunities and the different paths people are pursuing,” said Chapman.

During the spring 2026 semester, Massey is looking forward to meeting with members of the inaugural Massey Leadership Fellows cohort.

“I’d like to go in the labs and see what they're doing hands-on,” Massey said. “I see a lot of that in the research and development that we do. It’s where good engineering and the work of the brain comes out. We see a lot of that every day in our business.”

As a Massey Leadership Fellow, Kass said he is excited to continue to make meaningful connections with employers and professionals who are providing insight into real-world industries and career paths.

“These experiences have helped me better understand how I hope to combine engineering, leadership and entrepreneurship in my future career. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of this program and look forward to continuing to learn from the faculty, speakers and fellow students involved,” said Kass.

The Massey Leadership Fellows program supports the Quinnipiac student experience while creating meaningful change through philanthropy. By making a gift to the Academic Excellence Fund for the School of Computing & Engineering, supporters can participate in the strength, spirit and generosity of the Quinnipiac community, and help fuel the momentum that drives the Quinnipiac mission forward.