UNOH Alum Expands Career Path with UNOH Education
Posted on Friday, April 17, 2026
Andrew Kusta, 2008 UNOH Graduate
Written by Contributing Columnist Melanie Barnas-Simmons, VP for Advancement and Alumni Affairs
For Andrew Kustra, a 2008 graduate in High Performance Motorsports, the foundation he built at UNOH has carried far beyond the racetrack.
Originally from the greater Pittsburgh area, Andrew came to UNOH with a passion for high performance. Like many students in the program, he envisioned a future working with race teams and performance vehicles. And while those opportunities were within reach, Andrew ultimately made a different choice—one that would shape a successful and evolving career.
“I had opportunities with race teams and some incredible offers,” Andrew shared. “But they would have taken me far from home. At that point in my life, I had roots in Pittsburgh and decided to stay local and explore other technical paths.”
That decision led Andrew to apply the skills he gained at UNOH in new and unexpected ways—first in engine building, then as a tool and die machinist, and now in a leadership role with Aerotech, a precision automation and robotics manufacturer in southwestern Pennsylvania.
While his career path may have shifted, Andrew is quick to credit UNOH for preparing him every step of the way.
“When I think about what really helped me succeed, I think about the level of detail we were taught at UNOH,” he said. “The measuring, the machining, the care and attention you need to have while you’re doing those processes—that translates directly into what I do today.”
That emphasis on precision, problem-solving, and hands-on technical skills is what Andrew believes makes UNOH graduates stand out—not just in automotive and motorsports, but across a wide range of industries.
“A lot of those skills transfer really well,” Andrew explained. “You might start in automotive or high performance, but there are so many other directions you can go.”
Andrew has seen this firsthand—not only in his own journey, but in the paths of his classmates. From running family businesses to working in oil and gas, excavation, fabrication, and beyond, UNOH graduates continue to build careers that evolve with their interests and goals.
“Not everyone ends up exactly where they thought they would when they started,” he said. “But that’s okay. The skills you learn at UNOH open more doors than you might realize.”
Now in a position where he helps hire and develop talent, Andrew is eager to reconnect with UNOH and give back in a meaningful way.
He is especially passionate about helping current students—and even prospective students and their families—understand the breadth of opportunities available to them.
“I think there are students who might not realize all the options they have,” Andrew said. “There are opportunities out there for people who want to stay in their hometowns or try something a little different, but still work in a technical, hands-on field.”
Through his role at Aerotech, Andrew is actively looking to connect with UNOH students and alumni, particularly those in the greater Pittsburgh region, and help them explore careers they may not have previously considered.
“I’d be happy to talk with students, share my experience, and help point them in the right direction,” he added. “Even if it’s just a conversation to help them think through their options.”
As UNOH continues to grow and expand opportunities for its students, alumni like Andrew play a critical role in bridging the gap between education and industry—ensuring that the next generation of graduates not only find jobs, but discover fulfilling and sustainable career paths.
Interested in connecting with Andrew to learn more? Reach out via alumni@unoh.edu.
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Category: Campus & Community, Applied Technologies
Keywords: Alumni, High Performance Motorsports
