Michael Bryson

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Vice President System Operations PJM Interconnection

Throughout his nearly 16 year tenure with PJM Interconnection, Mike Bryson has held a variety of positions across multiple sectors of the organization and is currently PJM’s Vice President System Operations. He understands the importance of broadening his knowledge and is putting that theory to practice.

Mike decided to pursue additional education in power systems engineering through Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) after researching his options and learning of the positive experience others have had with the program. “Of the four [engineering] courses I’ve taken, all have been directly applicable to my work.” He also admits, “It’s been difficult, and I don’t mean that in a negative way. I mean that it gives legitimacy to the online approach.”

The online format has provided the flexibility needed to view the lectures and complete the coursework at his convenience. Mike also appreciated professors who have mastered the ability to connect with students that aren’t physically in the same classroom. “Tony McGrail [Adjunct Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering] has been outstanding. You almost felt like he was in the room with you, and his interaction was often and early in the course,” he said.

Mike is currently enrolled in his fourth of six courses, and anticipates completing his Graduate Certificate in spring of 2015. However, pursuing his Graduate Certificate in Power Systems Engineering through WPI isn’t about the piece of paper at the end, “My focus is to be able to expand my knowledge.”