Over the past two years, we have worked diligently to increase enrollment to meet the high demand for our graduates. This fall, our undergraduate and graduate cohorts have increased, and enrollment will remain a departmental focus. Other priorities this year include curriculum review; strengthening ties with our professional, alumni and donor communities; improving facilities; fundraising and continuing to implement our strategic plan.

Our strategic plan, released last year, continues to guide the department. However, as we put it into action, it has become clear that it is incomplete. Recently, an alumnus observed that our plan did not explicitly prioritize “excellence,” leading him to conclude that it was no longer a goal. I assured him that excellence is still central to everything we do, but his feedback prompted me to reflect on how we communicate our priorities externally.

In a competitive environment for top students, top faculty, research funds and state resources, we strive for excellence on a daily basis. Recent recognition of our programs, students and faculty reflects this commitment. Our graduate program rankings from U.S. News and World Report rose significantly this year (from 19 to 12 for civil engineering and from 21 to 18 for environmental engineering). And students from our department received major honors, including Matthew Bonner, who was awarded the College of Engineering Dean’s Medal, and Nathalie Thelemaque, who was the recipient of the UW Graduate School Medal.

This dedication to excellence is mirrored in the cutting-edge research conducted by our faculty members.

In this edition of The Bridge, we explore some of that research. Highlights include Professor Jeff Ban’s work on privacy-preserving transportation systems, Associate Professor David Shean’s role as a finalist for NASA's satellite research program, and Professor Jessica Lundquist’s findings on how spring rainfall affects the Colorado River’s water supply. We also remember alumnus Daniel J. Evans, who passed away after an illustrious career in public service.

Bart Nijssen
Chair & Professor