Since completing her education at MMI Preparatory School in 2014, Dr. Kaitlyn Sitch has shattered one glass ceiling after another.

The Girl Scout Gold Award winner took her love and proficiency for science, mathematics, and critical thinking she discovered at MMI to Wilkes University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and graduated with honors—all while receiving a four-year Presidential Scholarship and winning Wilkes University’s Engineering Intern of the Year award.

At Wilkes, Kaitlyn noticed she was one of only a few females studying in a field historically dominated by men. And yet, she proved to be unstoppable. She pursued her PhD in Electrical Engineering, despite receiving prestigious fellowships and job offers from the likes of Fiat Chrysler and BAE Systems. It ended up being a brilliant choice. She thrived while working towards her Master’s of Science and doctorate in Electrical Engineering from Temple University, the latter of which she completed in 2023. During her time at Temple, she also served as a graduate research assistant, as well as a graduate teaching assistant. Her responsibilities ranged from exploring the viability of adding tilt sensors to utility poles (to map power outages) to instructing and assisting with lab activities in the concentrations of Advanced Processor Systems, Introduction to Engineering, Electromechanical Energy, and Microelectronics I. In addition, she was the recipient of several travel awards, including the coveted IEEE Power Electronics Society Travel Award in 2019, 2022, and 2023.

In 2020, Kaitlyn, who interned with PECO Energy in Philadelphia, was also awarded the illustrious Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) scholarship from the Department of Defense (DoD). The three years of funding supplied by the DoD enabled her to continue her research in the space of transportation electrification. Her investigation into ways to ensure adequate power to charge electric buses in congested cities expanded into research focused on hybrid electric ships and the role of islanded microgrids—which is precisely what she’s doing now at the Naval Warfare Center Philadelphia Division. There, she proudly serves as an Electrical Research Engineer.

To suggest that her work has been vital since the get-go would be an understatement: Kaitlyn is contributing mightily to green transportation and renewable energy. It aligns perfectly with the Philadelphian’s ultimate goal to shape transportation plans, create less emissions, and, as she said, “make everything more sustainable.”