The SEI Graduate Student Chapter at Iowa State University spent the 2024–2025 academic year creating a vibrant, inclusive space for students to explore structural engineering in action. Through technical seminars, site visits, and outreach events, the chapter connected students with professionals, cutting-edge research, and opportunities to inspire future engineers.
One highlight came in the fall when student leaders hosted an info session on ASCE and SEI scholarships and the annual Structures Congress. The session offered practical guidance and personal insights, leading to Iowa State’s highest-ever student participation at the Congress, multiple scholarship recipients, and national recognition for students and faculty.
Collaboration was key. The chapter partnered with the ASCE Student Chapter, the Transportation Student Association (TSA), and the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) Student Chapter to host interdisciplinary events. Support from the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering (CCEE) and the Engineering Student Council (ESC) expanded the chapter’s reach and resources.
Outreach extended beyond campus. On April 5, 2025, the chapter joined the Nevada PTA STEAM Event at Central Elementary in Nevada, IA. Graduate students engaged families with hands-on activities like the Tornado STEM Kit, explored how tornadoes form and cause damage, and shared safety tips. By sparking curiosity about resilient building design, the chapter encouraged students to think critically about structures and imagine themselves as future structural engineers.
By year’s end, the SEI Graduate Student Chapter had grown its membership and strengthened its role as a hub for leadership, innovation, and community within Iowa State’s engineering programs. Rather than keeping engineering confined to textbooks, the chapter opened doors to practical experiences that deepened understanding and sparked curiosity. With this momentum, the chapter looks ahead to another year of growth and impact.