Packaging Engineering Technology Alumna
Step inside the packaging lab at Indiana State University, where the air is filled with the hum of machinery and the scent of freshly cut cardboard. For Sycamore Daelyn Dunston, ‘25, this is more than just a workspace – it’s where her future is taking shape, one prototype at a time.
Dunston, a Packaging Engineering Technology graduate from Effingham, Illinois, found her passion tucked inside the folds of cardboard and wrapped in creativity. “When I decided I wanted to go to Indiana State, I looked at a lot of majors, but I kept circling back to packaging engineering,” she recalls. “I saw how hands-on the program was, and I couldn’t wait to get inside the lab. I wanted to learn right away.”
It didn’t take long for that curiosity to evolve into confidence. In the labs equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, Dunston began piecing together a comprehensive understanding of the packaging industry – from design to production, testing, and sustainability.
“It’s a small program, so you get to know everyone. We help each other out, and it honestly feels like a family,” she says. “There’s so much hands-on learning involved, but there’s also room for me to figure things out on my own. There’s creativity in everything I do. I love that.”
With specializations ranging from manufacturing to mechanical technology, graphics, and design, Indiana State’s packaging engineering design program offers students like Dunston the chance to dive deep into technical skills while nurturing artistic vision. For her, the chance to physically operate the equipment and collaborate on real-world design projects was exactly what she needed to thrive.
“The program broadened my perspective on packaging,” she says. “I always liked design, but I didn’t realize how much goes into every part of the process – material testing, sustainability, and machine operation. My professors really encouraged me to work in the lab so I could have all the hands-on learning possible. I felt like I could talk to my professors about anything. They were there to listen and help me.”
The encouragement paid off. Dunston competed in several packaging competitions during her time at Indiana State, including one where she transformed a plastic package into a fully recyclable, sustainable product – complete with original graphic design. The result? A scholarship and a deeper understanding of the environmental challenges facing the packaging industry.
Daelyn Dunston (left) works with her Packaging Engineering Technology peers in the Packaging Lab at Indiana State University.
Real-world experience was a cornerstone of Dunston’s academic journey. At Pratt Industries in Rockwall, Texas, she completed a sales and design internship that took her behind the scenes of a busy packaging plant. Rotating through departments every two weeks, she received immersive training in design rooms, conducted quality testing, and participated in client-driven production projects.
“It was a hands-on internship, and I’ve always worked better through hands-on learning,” Dunston explains. “I developed a stronger understanding of the design and manufacturing aspects of packaging. Being on the job site and seeing it all in motion – that’s when I really knew I was in the right field.”
Back on campus, Dunston continued to give back to her academic program. As president of Statepack, the student organization for packaging majors, she helped foster a close-knit environment in which students collaborate on class projects, build resumes, and share internship tips.
“It feels like a family atmosphere. We can talk about anything. We’re working together to support each other on projects. You can always find someone in the packaging lab, working on a project,” Dunston shares.
She also served as a student ambassador for the packaging engineering technology program, speaking at recruitment events and visiting local schools to inspire future engineers. “A lot of people don’t realize just how big the packaging industry is, even though nearly every product is manufactured through some type of packaging,” she explains. “So, I loved getting to show younger students all the possibilities in packaging and design.”
Now, with a bachelor’s degree in hand, Dunston didn’t leave Indiana State just yet. She’s continuing her education through the University’s Accelerated Technology Management master’s program, which allows students to complete both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in just five years. Having taken graduate courses during her senior year, Dunston is already halfway through her master’s degree.
“I enjoy school and learning, and I wanted to prove to myself that I’m capable of furthering my education with a master’s degree,” she says. “Indiana State made that goal possible so I can finish my master’s degree faster. I’m really grateful for that.”
In fact, Dunston couldn’t have asked for a better college experience where she felt more prepared for her career success while also studying alongside friends. “At Indiana State, I found my people. There’s something for everyone. It’s easy to get involved on campus and make friends. It’s a gorgeous campus, so I just enjoy walking around,” she reflects.
She adds, “You work one-on-one with your professors, and they care about helping you. You’re able to grow at your own pace, but you’re also pushed to learn more.”
As she looks ahead, Dunston is ready to take the skills she’s sharpened in the lab—and in her leadership roles—and apply them to a career she’s spent years carefully designing. Whether she’s engineering sustainable packaging products or mentoring students, she is ALL IN on designing the future.