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 ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ 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 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 , 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 ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder. “Our partnership with ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ 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 ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder.   

By participating in the education process, Kiewit helps develop the skills and knowledge students need to succeed in the workforce. Likewise, ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ 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, ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ. This demonstrates that Kiewit’s investment at ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ 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 ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ 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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College of Engineering and Applied Science's fall 2023 class includes 41% female students, up 27 percentage points from two decades ago.

In an era where gender diversity in STEM is more critical than ever, the University of ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder’s College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) isn't just paying lip service. In the past two decades, CEAS has transformed its engineering landscape, growing its female undergraduate class from 18% in 2003 to 30% in 2023. The estimates that, in 2023, the percentage of women professionals in architecture and engineering is 16.7%. And while up from 9% in the 1990s, women are still underrepresented in these fields compared to their male counterparts.

The spotlight shines bright on CEAS’ first-year cohorts as well, particularly the fall 2023 class, which includes 41% female students, up 27 percentage points from two decades ago. This achievement underscores ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder's status as a leader among Association of American Universities (AAU) Public Institutions, clinching a top spot in 2022 for the highest percentage of first-year female engineering students from the .

Keith Molenaar, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science, said initiatives spearheaded by both the college and the broader ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder campus over the last 10-15 years have propelled the growth.

“This is not only about fairness and equity, but about driving innovation, enhancing problem-solving capabilities, and expanding our engineering workforce that is in such high demand,” said Molenaar. “By fostering a diverse engineering team, ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder is preparing students for the workforce and shaping a future where technology reflects the diversity of its users.”

The has recognized ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder as a Top 5 public university for women in its first-year class as well as a Top 50 institution for awarding bachelor's degrees to women, and leading in female tenured or tenure-track faculty.

“Addressing global challenges, from sustainable development and healthcare, to rapidly advancing computing subfields such as AI, quantum and semiconductors, will require a diverse set of perspectives and solutions,” said Lucy Sanders, founder and executive in residence, . “Those with different lived experiences such as those who identify as women are pivotal in designing infrastructure and technologies that cater to the needs of our broad population.”

Boulder's journey towards gender parity in engineering is a clear signal that diversity in STEM is achievable.

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The University of ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder and the ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Community College System have signed an agreement to expand an existing program that allows community college students who have earned an associate in engineering sciences (AES) degree to transfer into four additional bachelor’s degree pathways at the College of Engineering and Applied Science. 

With the new agreement, ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder will be the only ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ campus to offer six pathways, including new architectural, computer, electrical and general engineering programs. In 2022, ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder was the first campus to provide a civil engineering transfer program, joining other campuses with a mechanical engineering track. 

“Collaborative partnerships like this allow us to continue to remove barriers, create better transparency in the transfer process, and further expand access for transfer students pursuing an engineering degree, especially for students who may not have thought it was possible to achieve an engineering education in a reasonable and efficient time frame,” said Chris Anderson, the college’s senior director of academic success and transfer pathways. 

The streamlined transfer process to ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder allows students who begin their academic journey at one of the state’s 13 community colleges to choose from major-specific paths or a new general pathway. These degree pathways enable students to take coursework that fits directly into ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ engineering degree programs without credit loss. 

The four additional engineering pathways will be open to students in fall 2024.

Expanding access and building workforce 

The ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder transfer program helps students graduate on time while also preparing them for in-demand careers in highly skilled engineering professions. 

“Expanding our engineering transfer pathway program enables us to increase access to higher education in STEM,” said Keith Molenaar, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science. “Not only will more students have the opportunity to pursue a four-year degree from a nationally recognized engineering college, but the expansion will ultimately produce more innovative engineering solutions to our most pressing societal challenges through a more diverse workforce.”

ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Community College System Chancellor Joe Garcia praised the collaboration.

“We are thrilled to grow our partnership with ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder and offer new educational opportunities for the 1,200-plus students pursuing an AES,” said Garcia. “Through these expanded transfer options, we will connect more Coloradans to in-demand jobs while delivering skilled, diverse talent across an array of engineering disciplines.”

The student experience 

During a celebration event on Feb. 27, three students spoke about their experiences utilizing transfer pathways to transition from community college to ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder. 

Colton Brown took time after high school to explore career options and interests before returning to Red Rocks Community College and Community College of Denver to pursue his engineering coursework. He’s now a senior completing his bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering sciences at ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder.

“The transition from community college to a highly regarded research university like ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder was very smooth due to the rigor we were experiencing at CCD,” Brown said. “I felt fully prepared and was able to take full advantage of all of the opportunities here on campus.”

Nicole Nageli, a junior majoring in computer science and creative technology & design, shared how her transfer experience is allowing her to pursue her dream of combining art and technology for scientific advancement. 

“The support that I got from the staff at ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder and Arapahoe Community College just made it so seamless,” she said. “I felt so supported with everything from graduation timelines to Transferology.” 

She said she also appreciated resources like the engineering transfer student success seminar course and campus-led events that allowed her to connect with other transfer students. 

Front Range Community College student Breeana Pritchard looks forward to utilizing the new pathways to complete a biomedical engineering degree at ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder. She credits FRCC with allowing her to immerse herself in everything from technical coursework to participating in ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Space Grant Consortium projects. 

“To achieve my dreams, I knew I needed a school that would set me up for success while providing excellent value and instruction,” she said. “With this new agreement, I can rest easy knowing that all my hard work will count toward my bachelor’s degree.” 

The students’ experiences inspired Dean Molenaar to wrap up the event by sharing how his own experiences as a first-generation and community college transfer student inspired his dedication to expanding access to engineering education and careers. 

“The solutions to the challenges in our society that we’re working on need a diverse set of engineers to address,” he said. “From the workforce side, we just can’t graduate enough engineers. I see nothing but opportunities for these students.”

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ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder’s College of Engineering and Applied Science held steady as a top 20 undergraduate engineering program in U.S. News and World Report’s&�Բ�����; rankings, maintaining the No. 17 spot among public institution peers.

ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Engineering Specialty Program Rankings

Six degree programs in the college also earned top 20 spots in the engineering specialty rankings and  rankings, when compared to public institution peers:

• Aerospace engineering sciences (No. 8)
• Environmental engineering (No. 8)
• Chemical engineering (No. 14)
• Civil engineering (No. 15)
• Computer science (No. 16)
• Mechanical engineering (No. 20)

The rankings were released on the U.S. News and World Report website on Sept. 18. Undergraduate rankings are based solely on the judgments of deans and senior faculty at peer institutions who participated in a peer assessment survey. .

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The College of Engineering and Applied Science gained a spot in U.S. News and World Report’s&�Բ�����; rankings this year, coming in at No. 17 among public institution peers.

Six degree programs in the college also earned top 20 spots among public universities in the engineering specialty rankings and  rankings:

• Aerospace engineering sciences (No. 6)
• Environmental engineering (No. 9)
• Chemical engineering (No. 13)
• Mechanical engineering (No. 15)
• Civil engineering (No. 17)
• Computer science (No. 19)

The rankings were released on the U.S. News and World Report website on Sept. 11. Undergraduate rankings are based on assessments of 1,500 U.S. bachelor's degree-granting institutions on 17 measures of academic quality, including graduation and retention rates, financial resources per students, and average alumni giving rate. .

Check out more ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder rankings

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