Designing Opportunity: Jessi Kittel’s Vision for EV Workforce Development

From Science Communication to Strategic Leadership

Jessi Kittel’s career doesn’t follow a straight line – it loops, learns, and evolves. From her early days in biomedical research regulation to her current role as Workforce Development Lead for the U-M Electric Vehicle Center, she’s been driven by a passion for building better systems – for learning, for people, and for the future.

“I think part of what I’m always trying to do is improve the process – whether it’s training, communication, or curriculum,” she explains. “That’s what ties it all together for me.”

Jessi’s path began in science, but not where she expected. A degree in cognitive psychology and biological anthropology from U-M led her into research settings, but her empathy made working with animal models emotionally difficult. “I really believe in the importance of biomedical research,” she says, “but I realized I couldn’t participate in it the way I thought I would.”

Instead, she pivoted to research regulation – first at Tufts and then back at Michigan. It was there that she made a critical discovery: many of the training programs didn’t actually prepare people for real-world compliance. “I started mapping noncompliance issues back to the trainings we were offering – and realized we weren’t teaching what people needed to know,” she recalls. That revelation launched her into the world of adult education and learning design.

From Policy to Public Engagement

Her next stop was the U-M Center for Academic Innovation, where she managed the design of extended reality experiences and online courses. Her favorites were Teach-Outs – short online courses addressing timely and socially relevant topics like cryptocurrency, gene editing, and blockchain. “They were four-hour, high-impact courses that brought big, complex ideas to the public,” she says.

At the same time, she pursued a master’s degree in science communication from the University of Edinburgh, where she honed skills in policy writing and learned how to quickly digest technical information in unfamiliar fields. “It turns out that background is perfect for EVs,” she laughs. “I came from biology, but now I’m working with mechanical engineers to teach about thermal systems. I’ve had to learn a lot – and I love that.”

Building Michigan’s Mobility Workforce

At the EV Center, Jessi leads strategic initiatives across both workforce development and education. She plays a dual role, also serving as the workforce development lead for the Michigan Vehicle Technology Transition Impact Project (MiVTTP) through U-M’s Economic Growth Institute. Through MiVTTP, she works with 11 communities across the state to help them navigate the EV transition – engaging local stakeholders, identifying training needs, and co-developing plans to ensure economic opportunity.

Her work is rooted in accessibility and inclusion, though she’s careful not to let the language become politicized. “It’s about listening to communities, understanding their needs, and designing resources that actually serve them,” she says. “That might mean a directory of training programs or building direct connections between local educators and regional employers.”

The EVC workforce development team directs initiatives that support a wide range of needs, from K-8 students to employers needing assistance in finding and training a skilled workforce. She partnered with the Center for Digital Curricula to craft career exploration resources tailored for children. “We worked with industry professionals to create videos that help kids see themselves in the future of e-mobility. That representation really matters,” she explains. On the other end of the spectrum, she is leading the creation of a centralized portal designed to streamline access to skill development programs, funding opportunities, and policy updates for employers in the EV sector. She enjoys the variety of workforce development programming. 

She’s also coordinating curriculum development for a new EV technician program at Schoolcraft College, including educational videos and specialized content in propulsion systems, charging infrastructure, and thermal management. The content, created by U-M engineering faculty and students, is intentionally modular and adaptable for re-use in other EVC educational initiatives.

“Once we have this foundation, [we] can reshape it for different audiences – whether that’s a short YouTube video, a hands-on workshop, or something entirely new,” she says. “Repackaging is relatively easy. Content generation is the hard part.”

A Systems Thinker with a Creative Streak

Jessi approaches everything – from education strategy to public engagement – with a systems lens. “The first thing I ask on any project is: who are we serving?” she says. “A K–8 student, a community college learner, and a battery engineer all need different messaging, different formats, and different goals.”

She’s also a pragmatist when it comes to delivery. “We know experiential learning is most effective, but online courses have reach and flexibility. It’s not either/or – it’s both. We need to meet people where they are.”

Lessons from Home and Abroad

She’s quick to acknowledge the role that place plays in her work. “In Michigan, the auto industry is everywhere. It’s part of who we are. That makes workforce development here incredibly personal – and incredibly important.”

Off the Clock

When she’s not designing educational programs or consulting with communities, Jessi climbs silks. “Aerial silks are my favorite way to move – it’s athletic and artistic,” she says. She also enjoys Scottish country dancing, board games, and traveling, particularly to rainy islands. (She’s been to Scotland, Ireland, England, and Iceland.)

Next up: scuba diving lessons in preparation for a trip to Honduras. “I’m not certified yet, but I’m working on it,” she says.

Advice for Change-Makers

What would she tell others looking to help people learn and adapt during big transitions?

“Be present,” she says. “Go to events, talk to people, build relationships. That’s where opportunities come from. And once you have a project – build a structured plan to actually get it done.”

With her rare blend of project management, empathy, and creative learning design, Jessi Kittel is doing exactly that – helping communities and individuals across Michigan not only survive the mobility transition but thrive in it.

“We’re trying to make sure that everyone – not just those already in the system – has a chance to be part of the EV future.”