ANN ARBOR, Michigan – May 19, 2026 – The Association for Advancing Automation (A3), a leading global advocate for robotics and automation technologies, has named Jim Devaprasad of Lake Superior State University (LSSU) the recipient of the 2026 A3 Educator of the Year Award, sponsored by Siemens. Devaprasad was selected for his decades of leadership in robotics and automation education, his deep industry engagement and his success preparing students to thrive in real-world automation careers. He and his students will be part of Automate 2026 in Chicago, where LSSU will exhibit in the Education Pavilion.
A professor in LSSU’s School of Engineering and Technology, Devaprasad has spent 40 years helping shape the next generation of automation professionals. He serves as director of the university’s Center for Advanced Robotics Engineering and has helped secure more than $3 million in robotics and automation equipment for the center, along with more than $2 million in grants for engineering programs. He also helped advance LSSU’s pioneering robotics programs, including the first nationally ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree in robotics engineering technology in the United States. His students gain hands-on experience in areas such as PLCs, robotics programming and simulation, machine vision, robot safety, collaborative robotics, mobile robotics and systems integration, with many graduates going on to leadership roles across the automation industry.
“To me, A3’s Educator of the Year is a deeply meaningful recognition because it comes from the organization that represents the very industry our students are preparing to serve,” said Devaprasad. “What I have always loved about teaching is bringing foundational ideas to life through hands-on experience, then watching students take those skills into the field. I am so proud of our alumni and the impact they have made over the years. As robotics and automation continue to grow across nearly every part of industry, the role of education in preparing the future automation leaders has never been more important, and I am honored to be a part of it.”
As the 2026 A3 Educator of the Year, Devaprasad and Lake Superior State University will receive a cash prize from the Siemens Cooperates with Education program (SCE), along with a hardware and software technology bundle to further expand hands-on learning opportunities for students. Siemens will also award Devaprasad and the top five nominated educators with a technology bundle of Siemens software valued at more than $250,000 each to support automation education and workforce development in the United States.
“Siemens is proud to support the 2026 Educator of the Year Awards, celebrating the dedication, innovation and expertise of exceptional educators nationwide,” said Amanda Beaton, US program manager, SCE. “It is a privilege to work with inspiring teachers and nominees who continue to transform STEM education. Their real-world industry experience, hands-on and career-relevant teaching approaches, and passion for learning reflect what it takes to prepare today’s students to become confident, work-ready contributors in the modern workforce.”
Devaprasad’s recognition comes as A3 expands its focus on students, educators and emerging professionals at Automate 2026, North America’s largest automation event, taking place June 22-25 in Chicago. The Automate Education Pavilion, presented by A3 NextGen, is dedicated to the schools, training programs and industry leaders helping build tomorrow’s workforce. New this year, the A3 NextGen Theater will feature sessions on curriculum, career pathways, hiring and talent development for students, educators and employers. Devaprasad and his class will exhibit in booth #33051 in the Education Pavilion, offering attendees a firsthand look at the kind of hands-on robotics and automation experiences that have become a hallmark of LSSU’s program. For more information on LSSU’s Robotics Engineering program, visit: www.lssu.edu/robotics.
About Association for Advancing Automation (A3)
The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) is the leading global advocate for the benefits of automating. A3 promotes automation technologies and ideas that transform the way business is done. Members of A3 represent more than 1,450 manufacturers, component suppliers, system integrators, end users, academic institutions, research groups and consulting firms that drive automation forward worldwide.
A3 hosts a number of industry-leading events, including Automate (June 22-25, 2026, in Chicago, IL), the Humanoid Robot Forum (June 23-24, 2026, at Automate Show in Chicago, IL), Advanced Vision & AI Conference (September 23-24, 2026, in Santa Clara, CA), the International Robot Safety Conference (November 3-5, 2026, in Detroit, MI).
