Zoe Kresek (CivEng'23) had a passion for design and construction from an early age. She would sit for hours building marble runs and Lego creations.

As she advanced in her education, she knew engineering was the best path to match her interests. However, determining a specific area of focus and where to apply her engineering education was more evasive. As part of the Kiewit Design-Build Scholars program, she visited the Central I-70 construction site, where she went underground and viewed the pipe structures. This experience piqued her interest in water resources and helped narrow the focus of her civil engineering major.

"I'd seen many pictures and videos of engineering, but being on the site gave me a completely different perspective. Going down into the ground and seeing the ginormous pipes was the highlight of the trip for me," said Kresek.

Since the Kiewit Design-Build Scholars Program launched at CU Boulder in 2020, it has given engineering students an inside view of the design and construction industry. This month, Kiewit Corporation extended the program for five years with a generous $2.5 million investment, demonstrating a sustained commitment to the success of students.

Building the engineering workforce pathway

Each academic year, 25 to 35 students participate in the program, which includes financial aid, industry mentorship, guaranteed internship offers and professional development programming. Programs that support students' professional development are especially important to address the problem of aging and deteriorating infrastructure systems in the U.S.

The American Society of Civil Engineers' (ASCE) most recent Report Card for America's Infrastructure in 2021 rated infrastructure in the U.S. at a C-. The government is working to improve infrastructure systems through legislation. However, according to a 2023 article from ASCE, civil engineering firms find it challenging to hire and retain the skilled employees needed for the infrastructure work that is suddenly available.

The Kiewit program is helping to educate the future workforce needed to tackle these issues by helping students understand how to apply their education to their future careers. Students like Kresek can participate in internships and receive support in their search for a full-time position through resume workshops, interview practice and mentorships.

"At Kiewit, we believe in the value of leadership development for those entering the construction and engineering industry," said John Donatelli, president of Infrastructure Engineers for Kiewit Engineering Group Inc. and executive sponsor for the Kiewit Design-Build Scholars program at CU Boulder. "Our partnership with CU Boulder and, importantly, the programming and mentoring we provide to the students is one more step we are taking toward building a pipeline of well-rounded future industry leaders."

Offering mutually beneficial solutions

Reaching students at the college level benefits the university, students and Kiewit.

"With their Lone Tree headquarters right in our backyard, we can tap into their knowledge. We invite experts from Kiewit into the classrooms to share their experiences and lessons learned with our students," said Chris Senseney, associate teaching professor and director of the Kiewit Design-Build Scholars program at CU Boulder.

By participating in the education process, Kiewit helps develop the skills and knowledge students need to succeed in the workforce. Likewise, CU Boulder has a strong civil engineering department, which is even more robust when students can access industry experts and internship opportunities.

The investment pays off for students like Kresek. After graduation, she accepted a position as a drainage engineer with Kiewit Engineering Group, Inc. in Lone Tree, Colorado. This demonstrates that Kiewit's investment at CU Boulder produces the engineers needed to meet industry demand and solve critical infrastructure problems.

"The Kiewit Design-Build Scholars program is an extraordinary model for engineering workforce development, rooted in our shared vision and goals," said Keith Molenaar, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science. "Kiewit and CU Boulder are dedicated to creating the highest caliber and most diverse group of engineers to address the pressing infrastructure challenges of our time."

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