The 2024–2025 academic year marked a significant period of growth for the SEI Student Chapter at Florida International University (FIU). Supported by the $500 SEI Small Grant from the SEI Futures Fund, the chapter expanded its technical programming, strengthened professional connections, and increased student engagement across campus and the broader structural engineering community.
The year began with an internationally focused virtual lecture delivered by Dr. Rolando Chacón, whose presentation on digital twinning and European infrastructure systems attracted a diverse audience and broadened the chapter’s academic scope. Additional momentum was generated through a collaborative industry roundtable featuring HDR, FDOT District 8, FIU faculty, and doctoral researchers, offering students meaningful exposure to real-world structural engineering challenges. This event is now positioned to evolve into an anticipated annual showcase.
Community outreach also played an important role, highlighted by a STEM engagement program at Coral Reef Library in partnership with Engineering on Wheels. Local high school students participated in hands-on engineering activities designed to spark early interest in STEM fields. A major milestone occurred during the 2025 SEI Structures Congress in Phoenix, Arizona, where three FIU students attended and presented their ongoing research with support from SEI Travel Scholarships.
Their participation strengthened FIU’s presence on a national stage and offered valuable professional development opportunities. The SEI Futures Fund Small Grant played an essential role in elevating chapter activities, increasing participation, and deepening connections across academic, professional, and community spheres. With this momentum in place, strong excitement is building to see the chapter represented once again at Structures Congress 2026.