With support from a $500 grant from the SEI Futures Fund, the University of New Haven SEI Graduate Student Chapter expanded opportunities for students to engage with practicing engineers, develop professional skills, and strengthen connections to the structural engineering community during the 2025-2026 academic year.
The chapter organized a variety of activities designed to bridge the gap between the classroom and professional practice. Highlights included an FE Information Session featuring industry professionals who shared exam preparation strategies and career insights, as well as a bridge inspection site visit that gave students firsthand exposure to field evaluation procedures and infrastructure maintenance practices.
Students also completed a scaled replica of the Pearl Harbor Memorial (Q) Bridge in New Haven, applying structural engineering concepts through a hands-on project that reinforced technical knowledge, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Additional activities included participation in professional seminars, career development programs, networking events, and student engagement initiatives sponsored by local engineering organizations.
The grant reflects the impact of the SEI Futures Fund in supporting student-led programs that foster professional growth, encourage involvement in SEI, and help prepare the next generation of structural engineers. Through initiatives like these, SEI Graduate Student Chapters continue to provide valuable opportunities for students to build technical expertise, expand professional networks, and engage with the broader structural engineering community.