Alumni

Community for life

As a CEE@CMU alum, you’re an integral part of our legacy. Stay connected, share your journey, and help empower the next generation of civil and environmental engineers.

How to engage

Become a mentor
Participate in alumni town halls
Attend local networking events
Join our industry partners
Continue your CEE education with an online graduate certificate
Stay connected on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn, or join our LinkedIn alumni network
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Alumni Advisory Council

Our alumni advisory council is a vital link between past and present in our CEE community. Composed of esteemed graduates, they provide essential guidance and support in shaping the future of our department.

2024 council members

Elizabeth Durika (CEE'03), U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps
Sophie Grodsinsky Boel (CEE'13), Redwood Materials
Steve Hinson (CEE'97), Schlumberger
Jeanine Hoey (CEE'83, '85), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District
Linda Kaplan (CEE'07), Pennoni Associates
John Kovacs (CEE'93), Gannett Fleming
Shail Pandya (CEE'00), Tetra Tech
Seth Pearlman (CEE'78, '79), DGI-Menard
Mark Pleskow (CEE'81, '85), WSP Consulting
Frank Sidari (CEE'02), Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority
Ricardo Taborda (CEE'10), Universidad EAFIT
Russell Thayer Tutt (CEE'12, '13), Tutt Services Enterprise
Christopher Watts (CEE'08), Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania
Todd Wilson (CEE'06), GAI Consultants, Inc.
Frank Frisby (CEE'11), U.S. Department of Defense
Stacey Louie (CEE'10, '14), University of Houston
Will Kotterman (CEE'07), Autodesk

Contact Allison McLachlan for more information on how to get involved.

Related news

Alum takes on toxic chemicals at leading women’s health organization

Inspired by many influential women mentors and her CMU education, Amy Dale (CEE'15) is tackling environmental risk factors for breast cancer at the nonprofit research organization, Silent Spring Institute.

Inaugural alumni awards celebrate success and service Opens in new window

On April 11, distinguished guests from across the university and alumni communities, gathered in Scaife Hall to honor eight individuals whose leadership, creativity, and volunteerism underscore what can be achieved with an engineering degree from Carnegie Mellon University.

CEE honors alumni accomplishments with awards

During the 2024 Spring Carnival at Carnegie Mellon University, the civil and environmental engineering department (CEE) awarded alumni Seth Pearlman, Amelia Harris, Todd Wilson, Natalie Pekney, Frank Frisby, and Daymanuel Sampson for their career accomplishments.

Honoring the memory of Jerry Cohon Opens in new window

Heartfelt messages, memories, and reflections have flooded the halls of Carnegie Mellon as many mourn and honor the memory of Jerry Cohon, a profound and enduring figure at the university and beyond.

Connecting futures: the power of mentorship in education and careers

Craig Boman (BS ‘15, MS ’16) served as a mentor to Ashima Sharma (CEE ‘22) during her time at CMU, talking with her through video calls since the two lived across the country from each other. Recently, when Boman visited CMU and found out that Sharma was on campus, the mentor and mentee finally met in person.

From Dubai to Pittsburgh: customized curriculum elevates alum’s career trajectory

Steve Lobo (MS ’23) was a member of the utility engineering team involved in the design of Dubai’s freight rail network, Etihad Rail, before completing his master's degree with CEE. He now works with SmithGroup’s Pittsburgh office, where he’s part of the performance, analytics, and climate impact team (PACT).

NAE inducts Arpad Horvath and Seth Pearlman for outstanding contributions

CEE alumni Arpad Horvath and Seth Pearlman have been elected into the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), one of the highest honors in the engineering profession.

Remembering Anthony M. DiGioia Jr. (1934-2023)

Anthony M. (Tony) DiGioia Jr., (BS ‘56, MS ‘57, PhD ‘60), an esteemed alumnus, adjunct professor, and revered civil engineer, passed away, leaving a profound legacy in the field. Born in 1934 in Pittsburgh, his journey from humble beginnings above his father's tailor shop to global engineering eminence epitomized the American dream.

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Frank Frisby's trailblazing AI at DoD

Follow CEE alumnus Frank Frisby's exceptional journey from CMU to the Department of Defense, where he's harnessing AI and machine learning to transform program performance and win groundbreaking challenges, all while staying connected to his alma mater.

Carnegie Mellon alumni fund climate adaptation research

Yeming and Aaron Rankin, Carnegie Mellon alumni, make a transformative commitment establishing the Engineering Resilience for Climate Adaptation Fund, fostering impactful research. Their generous initiative aims to cultivate a center of excellence, driving innovation and resilience to combat climate change's impact, ultimately shaping a more sustainable future.

Eco innovations: Gutierrez advocates for sustainable solutions

Guillermo Gutierrez (MS ‘21), a passionate advocate for a circular economy and recycling standards, began his trajectory from academia to entrepreneurship, driven by his belief in sustainability. Armed with his research, CEE education, and startup venture, Gutierrez is poised to revolutionize sustainability practices by promoting reuse, recycling, and environmental decision-making in the tech industry.

Pekney honored with Arthur S. Flemming Award for advancing green technology

Natalie J. Pekney, a CEE alumna, has won the Arthur S. Flemming Award for her pioneering work in mobile emissions monitoring, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas. Her multidisciplinary approach and dedication to environmental stewardship have earned her this prestigious award, positioning her as a leader in advancing green technology for a sustainable energy future.

Engineering a sustainable future: Navishka Pandit's impactful work with Fortune 500 firms

Navishka Pandit (MS '22) is making a significant impact as an engagement associate at EOS at Federated Hermes, where she analyzes sustainability and ESG issues for Fortune 500 companies, aiming to drive long-term value creation through sustainable business practices. Her journey from CEE at CMU to the financial industry highlights the importance of interdisciplinary education and determination to make a difference in the world of finance and sustainability.

Structural engineering meets sustainability: Capri Keeler's impact

CMU graduate Capri Keeler, an associate consultant structural engineer at WSP USA, channels her passion for sustainability. Her interdisciplinary CMU education connects theory to practice, and she champions a sustainable future aligned with the Infrastructure Vision 2050 mission for equitable infrastructure.

AACE honors CEE alumnus Daniel P. Gilmour with award for 16 years of excellence in construction

CEE alumnus Daniel P. Gilmour, with 16 years of construction industry expertise, received a prestigious award from AACE International. His career highlights include managing nearly $5 billion in construction projects and significant contributions to AACE activities over a decade.

Driving change: engineering transportation solutions

Matthew Battifarano, a software engineer at Aurora, employs mathematical models and machine learning to solve transportation issues. His CEE education equipped him with holistic engineering skills, aiding his work in integrating self-driving trucks into logistics systems.

Avhad awarded Presidential Scholarship from CMAA - Three Rivers Chapter

Snehal Avhad (AECM MS ‘23) was named the 2023 Presidential Scholarship Award winner from the Construction Management Association of America Three Rivers Chapter. With a background in civil and structural engineering, Avhad's AECM program projects have focused on studying connections in hollow structural sections and implementing cost-effective solutions for pedestrian traffic issues.

Fighting energy poverty through carbon-neutral electricity distribution

Kwaku Jyamfi (MS '20), chief executive officer at Farm to Flame Energy, is working to produce a low-cost energy solution for people who live in emerging areas of the world. Farm to Flame Energy is on track to create renewable electricity at half the cost of diesel fuel, attracting various grants, contracts, and investments.

Janicke awarded NSF Fellowship

Lauren Janicke (BS ‘23) has been honored with a Graduate Research Fellowship from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Embarking on her journey as a PhD student under the guidance of Professor Destenie Nock, Janicke's research will revolve around the utilization of statistical methods to explore energy equity consumption behaviors and energy assistance.

Ken-Opurum named as a Forbes Magazine 30-under-30

Bobuchi Ken-Opurum (AECM '22) has been recognized as one of Forbes Magazine's 2023 30-Under-30 in Energy for developing the Re-HOUSED Climate Decision Support Toolkit, a comprehensive resource specifically tailored for self-builders with modest incomes in tropical regions of the Southern Hemisphere.

Bouabdellaoui volunteers to bring STEM ingenuity to tweens

Leila Bouabdellaoui (CEE/EPP ’13) is volunteering to help tomorrow’s engineers address some of today’s biggest engineering challenges during the Future City Competition (FCC). Bouabdellaoui finds joy in witnessing the direct impact of FCC on students' eventual career choices.

2023 CEE Alumni Awards

CEE is proud to announce the recipients of the 2023 Alumni Awards, which were presented at the CEE Buggy Breakfast at Carnival.

Lederman consults for client, climate, and water challenges

George Lederman (MS '15, PhD '16) is Head of Strategy at Aliaxis, a family-owned company that works to solve global water challenges and accelerate the transition to clean energy. He applies what he learned at Carnegie Mellon University in his work as a consultant, helping his clients implement climate solutions.

Sampson provides growth opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses

Daymanuel Sampson (BS '13) serves as Community and Citizenship Director at the Turner Construction Company's School of Construction Management (TSCM). He mentors eager learners and leads fundraising efforts to support small, women-owned, and minority-owned businesses.

Martinez keeps airport projects flying forward

Arturo Martinez, PE, ENV SP (BS ’15; MS ’15) is an Aviation Project Manager at EXP. He recently kicked off a project at Miami International Airport (MIA) that will ultimately result in the modification of over 15 aircraft gates to accommodate bigger aircrafts.

Alumni in service: bringing clean water to Honduras community

CEE alumna Tessa Roscoe (MS ’15) serves as a contractor for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, supporting industrial wastewater regulations under the EPA Engineering and Analysis Division. She gives back by volunteering with Engineers Without Borders; most recently, she helped to improve the safety and sustainability of water sources in Honduras.

Sanghavi volunteers with EWB to supply clean water, infrastructure

Over the past five years, Sanghavi has traveled globally to build relationships with communities in need of assistance—and to discuss long-term solutions that are in the best interest of each community.

Mixing engineering, architecture, and wooden coasters

Lawrence began working with Great Coasters International right after graduation. Realizing that the industry was very competitive—especially for such specialized jobs—she networked heavily while still in school and was in the “right place at the right time” when the company was looking for an engineer.

Alumnus inducted into National Academy of Construction

Pearlman is the North American CEO and board director of Menard. He is responsible for Menard USA, Menard Canada, Earth Tech (Florida), Farrell Design-Build (California), and ConeTec. Pearlman joined Menard in 2003. He has served numerous organizations, serving as the president of the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) from 2006-2008.

Alumni awards showcase graduates' successes

Before announcing the award winners, Dzombak praised CEE’s impressive, passionate, and supportive alumni—as well as their ongoing support of the school and its students. He also emphasized that the school’s continued success is based on the CEE community’s commitment to hard work, creative problem solving, innovation, leadership, and collegiality.

Mentoring program matches undergrads with CEE alums

The Alumni/Undergraduate Mentor Program, which welcomed its first cohort in the fall of 2021, matched 21 student-alumni pairs with the goal to develop deeper connections between participants.

Yan's global education leads to Singapore's Ministry of Transport

Today, Yam is the Senior Assistant Director at the Futures & Transformation Division, Ministry of Transport (MOT). Yam describes her work as being dynamic, fast-paced, and involving close collaborations with many public agencies and companies.

New scholarship fund honors accomplished alums DiGioia and Gray

For decades, DiGioia and Gray have been renowned in civil and geotechnical engineering. Now, the Anthony M. DiGioia Jr. and Richard E. Gray Engineering Scholarship will honor their partnership and many accomplishments—among which they both are Distinguished Members of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Carnegie Mellon Alumni Achievement Award recipients.

Waldvogel works on LANL sustainability and zero-carbon plans

In her current position at LANL, Waldvogel is able to fulfill what she calls her passion—solving problems while making processes more efficient.

Rebuilding the World Trade Center site: Looking back 20 years after 9/11

CEE alumni, Seth Pearlman and John Wise, both worked at the Nicholson Construction Company and spent lots of time at the grounds of the World Trade Center

Amekudzi-Kennedy's philosophy encourages diversity in STEM, engineering workforce

The accomplished CMU alumna, who's now a professor herself, says she's most grateful when she's recognized for contributions that improve the human condition and quality of life.

CMU connection leads to success at eIQ Mobility

Company CEO and co-founder, Sila Berkol Kiliccote says that more than half of her employees are fellow CMU alumni. One of them is Emre Kara, who serves as VP of Engineering.

CEE alumni awards shine spotlight on successful grads

CEE celebrated its 2021 alumni award winners via a virtual presentation led by professor and department head Dave Dzombak.

Martin Fertal joins ASCE as new COO

Martin Fertal (BS ‘83, MS ’84) was recently named chief operating officer at ASCE, an organization he’s proud to note was “founded in 1852 and is the nation’s oldest engineering society.”

Eybpoosh works to improve renewable energy reliability

After graduating with multiple advanced degrees from CMU, Matineh Eybpoosh became co-founder of WattLearn Inc.

Henry Randall Grooms: CEE grad and space program pioneer

Henry Randall Grooms earned advanced engineering degrees at CMU and went on to do groundbreaking work on the U.S. space program.

Peters named CEE's Distinguished Alumni

Peters is Professor and Chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Princeton University and has earned both national and international distinction as an educator, researcher, and professional leader.

CEE annual alumni awards goes virtual to highlight graduates' successes

After accepting their awards, the winners answered questions submitted by current students, focusing on everything from work/life balance to overcoming bumps in a career path.

Alum helps organizations construct the workplace of tomorrow

“Starting civil engineering and finding project management and really getting into engineering economics, I loved it,” Beckham says. “It felt like home.”

Babaei identifies lipid rafts as way COVID-19 invades cells

The groups’ research could have long-term impacts in treating viruses including COVID-19. By understanding the ways that a virus can invade a cell, researchers can work to close that entry point and help individuals to avoid infection.

CEE Professor Samaras and alum Francis named to NASEM Committee

This committee will develop a compelling vision for a systems approach to studying the Earth and identify facilities, infrastructure, coordinating mechanisms, computing, and workforce development needed to support that vision.

Hegglin challenges norms and brings a fresh perspective

Her professional experiences have shown the value of research and projects that encourage CEE students to think creatively, and to develop solutions for undefined challenges by taking into account a wide variety of disciplines and variables. In the real world, solutions are often not straightforward.

Wall premieres film festival-winning documentary in Pittsburgh

The Fan Connection has received media attention from ESPN, The Hockey News, and Buffalo stations WGRZ, WIVB, WKBW, and WYRK. Wall says that there’s something in the movie for everyone. “It is a movie that wears its heart on its sleeve.”

Leech awarded ESWP Metcalf Award

The William Metcalf Award is named in honor of the first ESWP president and is awarded to a Western Pennsylvania engineer whose career accomplishments are connected to steel, aluminum, power, coal, electrical equipment, chemical, glass, or construction.

Divergent path: Joining engineering and creativity

The challenge after leaving academia, Mo says, was to demonstrate that her engineering/analytical skills could inform her design skills in such a way that an employer would benefit from hiring her.

Jacobs retires after 32 years of service

CEE Department Head Dave Dzombak presented Dr. Jacobs with a special recognition at a faculty gathering in January. "Alan has brought his deep knowledge and experience base in geology to generations of Carnegie Mellon CEE students," said Dzombak.