Local Engineer Named New Face of Civil Engineering
Parsons Brinckerhoff Engineer Receives Honor from National Civil Engineering Society
Reston, Va.—Melissa Rodriguez displays passion for her work as a civil engineer with Parsons Brinkerhoff in Orange, Calif., and enhances the profession by promoting civil engineering to college students. In recognition of her accomplishments, this 29-year-old was recently named a New Face of Civil Engineering by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). An integral part of ASCE’s 2009 National Engineers’ Week (Feb. 15-21) celebration, the program promotes the achievements of young civil engineers by highlighting their contributions and impact on society.
In her current position, Rodriguez participates in a group called the Green Team, which focuses on developing and promoting sustainable practices within the organization and the engineering industry. She also supplied information for geometrics, design and cost estimates for the $40 billion California High Speed Rail (CHSR) project and prepared designs for the Foothill South Extension Project. Rodriguez is an active participant in the Hispanic Resource Network and the Professional Growth Network, providing professional development resources to rising professionals.
Rodriguez has volunteered in her community by collecting donations and preparing food for a local soup kitchen, as well as participated in a “Rebuilding Together” project, repairing homes for local families.
Rodriguez earned her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of California-Irvine. She is a resident of Lake Forest, Calif.
ASCE’s top five New Faces of Civil Engineering were also submitted to the national New Faces of Engineering program run by the Engineers Week Foundation. This program includes representatives from the civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, industrial and manufacturing engineering professions. Selected New Faces profiles, including the top civil engineer chosen by the Engineers Week Foundation, will be featured in a USA Today ad during Engineers Week and will be profiled on the National Engineers Week Web site at www.eweek.org, as well as at www.discoverengineering.org.
Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 146,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America’s oldest national engineering society. For more information, visit www.asce.org.
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