Admitted high school students interested in building bridges, designing transportation systems and protecting water resources gathered at The University of Akron on Feb. 17 for a hands-on event, Exploring Civil Engineering.
Sponsored by Larry (’70) and Susan Allen and hosted by the Department of Civil Engineering, the event introduced prospective students to the breadth of the discipline while connecting them with faculty and current students.
Participants rotated through three interactive sessions highlighting key areas within civil engineering:
- Bridge Building, led by Dr. David Roke
- Transportation Engineering, led by Dr. William Schneider
- Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, led by Dr. Teresa Cutright
Each session combined problem-solving, teamwork and real-world engineering applications. In post-event surveys, students reported a stronger understanding of the various civil engineering specialties.
Beyond the technical sessions, faculty members answered questions about career opportunities, first-year pathways and coursework. Civil engineering juniors also shared insights about design teams, student life and academic expectations, offering an authentic student perspective.
One parent shared, “Faculty and students were so helpful and gave us great insights into the civil engineering program at Akron. My son enjoyed the activities and is looking forward to his journey ahead.”
“We would like to thank our generous donors, the Dean’s Office and UA Admissions for their support in making this event possible,” shared Roke, associate professor and interim chair. “Our goal is to make this an annual event and expand participation to reach even more high school students. Hands-on learning is key to inspiring the next generation of engineers.”
RELATED CONTENT:
- Learn more about our civil engineering programs
- Explore our K-12 programs
Media contact: media@uakron.edu