Events/Programs
Visit to DOT Route 20/Cazenovia Creek Project
The SEI Graduate Student Chapter organized a site visit to the DOT Route 20/Cazenovia Creek Bridge Project in Western New York on November 14, 2025. The visit was hosted by the New York State Department of Transportation in collaboration with Union Concrete Construction. During the visit, students observed ongoing bridge construction activities and learned about the project’s structural and construction challenges, as well as the construction methods and field engineering practices used on the project.
Visit to Buffalo Bills New Highmark Stadium
As part of our industry engagement efforts, the SEI Graduate Student Chapter organized a site visit to the New Highmark Stadium on April 22, 2025, the future home of the Buffalo Bills and currently the largest active construction project in the Buffalo area. With an estimated cost of $1.7 billion, this state-of-the-art 62,000-seat stadium recently celebrated its topping-out milestone on April 4, 2025, and is on track to open for the 2026 NFL season.
Career Design Discussion
As part of its career development efforts, the SEI Graduate Student Chapter organized a graduate student discussion meeting on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, focused on career pathways in civil engineering. During the event, graduate students shared their perspectives, experiences, and thoughts on future career directions within the field, while faculty members also joined the discussion to offer guidance and professional advice. The meeting created a supportive setting for open conversation, mentorship, and reflection on career opportunities in civil engineering.
Seminar
As part of its professional development initiatives, the SEI Graduate Student Chapter organized a seminar on March 7, 2025, featuring Professor Arul Jayachandran, who shared his insights on professional ethics in structural engineering. In his talk, titled “Professional Ethics in Structural Engineering – A Few Exemplary Examples,” Professor Jayachandran discussed the ethical responsibilities of structural engineers in safeguarding public safety, maintaining professional integrity, and promoting sustainability in the built environment. Through illustrative case examples, the seminar examined ethical challenges related to design accountability, construction integrity, professional conduct, and regulatory compliance, while emphasizing the importance of ethical leadership and an engineer’s duty to society. The event provided a valuable platform for graduate students and professionals to strengthen their ethical awareness and critical thinking, while reinforcing the culture of responsibility and accountability essential to engineering practice.
Visit to Taylor Devices Inc.
UB SEI GSC is organizing a visit to Taylor Devices on 30th November, Tuesday. Taylor Devices is a leading manufacturer of shock and vibration control devices and has over 60 years of experience in this field. More information on Taylor Devices can be accessed at https://www.taylordevices.com/
Visit to Albright-Knox Art Gallery
UB SEI GSC students visited the Albright-Knox Art Gallery (construction site) on 7th October 2021. The students interacted with the engineers on site and learned about the structural system of the under construction extension of the art gallery.
Mentor-mentee program
UB SEI GSC runs a mentoring program wherein PhD students mentor undergraduate and masters students and help them navigate through the curriculum and plan ahead for their careers