top of page
COLLEGE of ENGINEERING
2023
During the summer of 2023, the team constructed a pedestrian footbridge spanning 45.5 meters crossing the Río Kea Kea. This footbridge served 271 direct beneficiaries from the communities of Kea Kea and Katariri, located within the municipality of Pocoata. Constructing this footbridge provided greater access to multiple schools within Kea Kea, a centralized health post, increased trade opportunities, and social events.
Location
Kea Kea, Bolivia
Community Members Served
271
Bridge Span Length
45.5 m
Meet the Team
Arianna Bordogna-Jurkowitz
Role: Project Manager
Major: Environmental Engineering
Hometown: South Bend, IN
Class: 2023
Arianna Bordogna-Jurkowitz is a senior Environmental Engineering student serving her third year on NDSEED, this year as project manager. She has interned for the Engineers in Action WASH program, during which she helped a team of Ecuadorian engineers design a drinking water distribution system for a rural community in the coastal region of Ecuador. Arianna also had the opportunity to spend a semester studying engineering at the Pontificia Universidad Católica in Santiago, Chile. In valuing the interdisciplinary nature of development work abroad, Arianna views NDSEED’s mission as the opportunity of a lifetime to implement her engineering education to serve a community in need. Arianna is excited for the journey this year’s project will bring, and looks forward to experiencing engineering through a new perspective as she and her team live and work with their partner community.
Major: Environmental Engineering
Hometown: South Bend, IN
Class: 2023
Arianna Bordogna-Jurkowitz is a senior Environmental Engineering student serving her third year on NDSEED, this year as project manager. She has interned for the Engineers in Action WASH program, during which she helped a team of Ecuadorian engineers design a drinking water distribution system for a rural community in the coastal region of Ecuador. Arianna also had the opportunity to spend a semester studying engineering at the Pontificia Universidad Católica in Santiago, Chile. In valuing the interdisciplinary nature of development work abroad, Arianna views NDSEED’s mission as the opportunity of a lifetime to implement her engineering education to serve a community in need. Arianna is excited for the journey this year’s project will bring, and looks forward to experiencing engineering through a new perspective as she and her team live and work with their partner community.
Daniel Pronko
Role: Bridge Designer
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Class: 2023
Dan Pronko is a senior studying Civil Engineering with a minor in Theology, serving as the bridge designer on this year’s team. Dan is excited to use his skills and interests in engineering for his passion to serve the lives of others. Last summer, he developed his engineering skills and knowledge as an intern for a structural engineering consulting firm in Chicago. As an aspiring structural engineer, Dan is excited to have the opportunity to be a part of a project from conception to completion learning from and working alongside people who share his passions for service and engineering. Next year, Dan is interested in attending graduate school for structural engineering to continue his education.
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Class: 2023
Dan Pronko is a senior studying Civil Engineering with a minor in Theology, serving as the bridge designer on this year’s team. Dan is excited to use his skills and interests in engineering for his passion to serve the lives of others. Last summer, he developed his engineering skills and knowledge as an intern for a structural engineering consulting firm in Chicago. As an aspiring structural engineer, Dan is excited to have the opportunity to be a part of a project from conception to completion learning from and working alongside people who share his passions for service and engineering. Next year, Dan is interested in attending graduate school for structural engineering to continue his education.
Candace Atchison
Role: Safety Manager
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Northport, NY
Class of 2023
Candace Atchison is a senior studying Civil Engineering with a concentration in Structures and a minor in Engineering Corporate Practice. This is Candace’s first year on the NDSEED team. Through her internships in New York City and Indiana, she has developed a comprehensive understanding of construction management and has gained experience in safety management. Outside of NDSEED, Candace is an active member of ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers), where her team won the 2021 Construction Institute Competition and where she implemented the visual design of Notre Dame’s 2022 Concrete Canoe. She is also a member of the Notre Dame Gymnastics team and an officer of the Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Honors Society. As she steps into her role as safety manager, Candace is excited to put her engineering knowledge to practical application that reaches beyond herself.
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Northport, NY
Class of 2023
Candace Atchison is a senior studying Civil Engineering with a concentration in Structures and a minor in Engineering Corporate Practice. This is Candace’s first year on the NDSEED team. Through her internships in New York City and Indiana, she has developed a comprehensive understanding of construction management and has gained experience in safety management. Outside of NDSEED, Candace is an active member of ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers), where her team won the 2021 Construction Institute Competition and where she implemented the visual design of Notre Dame’s 2022 Concrete Canoe. She is also a member of the Notre Dame Gymnastics team and an officer of the Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Honors Society. As she steps into her role as safety manager, Candace is excited to put her engineering knowledge to practical application that reaches beyond herself.
Nick Sansone
Role: Business Manager
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Alexandria, VA
Class: 2023
Nick Sansone is a senior studying Civil Engineering with a concentration in Structures and a minor in History who will be serving as the business manager on the 2022-2023 NDSEED team. He is honored to hold this position and to be a new member of the NDSEED team. Through two construction management internships with Garney Construction and Clark Construction, he has budgeting and estimating experience that will help ensure NDSEED continues to be a self-sustaining organization. He not only is qualified to fill the role of business manager but also will be able to aid the team with construction-related tasks in country. He is ecstatic to share his passion for engineering to provide infrastructure to a community in need and understands the importance of NDSEED’s work and mission. After having his study abroad canceled due to Covid, he is also looking forward to having an immersive cultural experience and completing an international service project, as well as furthering his knowledge of the construction process. Outside of NDSEED, Nick is the Vice President of Chi Epsilon, the Civil Engineering Honor Society, and enjoys hiking, playing sports, and community service.
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Alexandria, VA
Class: 2023
Nick Sansone is a senior studying Civil Engineering with a concentration in Structures and a minor in History who will be serving as the business manager on the 2022-2023 NDSEED team. He is honored to hold this position and to be a new member of the NDSEED team. Through two construction management internships with Garney Construction and Clark Construction, he has budgeting and estimating experience that will help ensure NDSEED continues to be a self-sustaining organization. He not only is qualified to fill the role of business manager but also will be able to aid the team with construction-related tasks in country. He is ecstatic to share his passion for engineering to provide infrastructure to a community in need and understands the importance of NDSEED’s work and mission. After having his study abroad canceled due to Covid, he is also looking forward to having an immersive cultural experience and completing an international service project, as well as furthering his knowledge of the construction process. Outside of NDSEED, Nick is the Vice President of Chi Epsilon, the Civil Engineering Honor Society, and enjoys hiking, playing sports, and community service.
Patricia Salazar
Role: Construction Manager
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Santa Ana, CA
Class: 2023
Patty Salazar is a senior studying Civil Engineering who will be serving as the Construction Manager on the 2022-2023 NDSEED team. As a first-generation Mexican-American, Patty is grateful to use her studies in civil engineering to help those in Latin and South American countries with access to resources through the construction of a pedestrian bridge. In her role, she brings experience from her time as a project engineer intern for JE Dunn Construction during her summer internship. Patty also has experience on the NDSEED team as she was the assistant construction manager for the 2021-2022 team. On campus, she has been involved in the Engineering Leadership Council, the Student Energy Board and sustainability commissioning for Cavanaugh Hall. Patty is excited to be working alongside many other passionate civil and environmental engineering students this year on NDSEED.
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Santa Ana, CA
Class: 2023
Patty Salazar is a senior studying Civil Engineering who will be serving as the Construction Manager on the 2022-2023 NDSEED team. As a first-generation Mexican-American, Patty is grateful to use her studies in civil engineering to help those in Latin and South American countries with access to resources through the construction of a pedestrian bridge. In her role, she brings experience from her time as a project engineer intern for JE Dunn Construction during her summer internship. Patty also has experience on the NDSEED team as she was the assistant construction manager for the 2021-2022 team. On campus, she has been involved in the Engineering Leadership Council, the Student Energy Board and sustainability commissioning for Cavanaugh Hall. Patty is excited to be working alongside many other passionate civil and environmental engineering students this year on NDSEED.
Ricardo Hernandez
Role: Communitiy Relations Manager
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Class: 2023
Richie Hernandez is a senior studying Civil Engineering with a minor in Latino Studies. He will serve as the cultural relations manager as a part of the NDSEED team. Richie is a first-generation American with family from rural Mexico and Guatemala, and is well accustomed to building bridges across nations. Inspired by the sacrifices his parents made to provide his family with a better life, he strives to help others in need with the opportunities he has been fortunate to receive, using NDSEED as a platform to do so. On campus, Richie is a leader within MariachiND, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), and the Notre Dame Marching Band as a member of the drum line. On the technical side, Richie has practical experience interning with Walsh Construction working on a hospital in downtown South Bend, IN. Richie is excited to use all the tools in his toolbelt to help create meaningful connections between NDSEED and the host community.
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Class: 2023
Richie Hernandez is a senior studying Civil Engineering with a minor in Latino Studies. He will serve as the cultural relations manager as a part of the NDSEED team. Richie is a first-generation American with family from rural Mexico and Guatemala, and is well accustomed to building bridges across nations. Inspired by the sacrifices his parents made to provide his family with a better life, he strives to help others in need with the opportunities he has been fortunate to receive, using NDSEED as a platform to do so. On campus, Richie is a leader within MariachiND, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), and the Notre Dame Marching Band as a member of the drum line. On the technical side, Richie has practical experience interning with Walsh Construction working on a hospital in downtown South Bend, IN. Richie is excited to use all the tools in his toolbelt to help create meaningful connections between NDSEED and the host community.
Nathaniel Burke
Role: Research and Media Manager
Major: Environmental Engineering
Hometown: Cedar Rapids, IA
Class: 2023
Nathaniel Burke is a senior Environmental Engineering student from Cedar Rapids Iowa. This year he is also serving as a Resident Assistant in Alumni Hall. Nathaniel’s initial interest in engineering was focused on how engineers can contribute to the fight against climate change and other large-scale environmental challenges. Through years of coursework in justice education, international development, and the environmental engineering curriculum, he has come to realize the fundamental importance of basic infrastructure and resource management (specifically relating to water) in sustainable development. He would like to use his engineering background to work on this part of the international group project oriented toward the Common Good, and he thinks building a footbridge is a great place to start. Nathaniel is grateful to form part of such a dedicated team and is looking forward to working alongside NDSEED’s partner community in the summer of 2023.
Major: Environmental Engineering
Hometown: Cedar Rapids, IA
Class: 2023
Nathaniel Burke is a senior Environmental Engineering student from Cedar Rapids Iowa. This year he is also serving as a Resident Assistant in Alumni Hall. Nathaniel’s initial interest in engineering was focused on how engineers can contribute to the fight against climate change and other large-scale environmental challenges. Through years of coursework in justice education, international development, and the environmental engineering curriculum, he has come to realize the fundamental importance of basic infrastructure and resource management (specifically relating to water) in sustainable development. He would like to use his engineering background to work on this part of the international group project oriented toward the Common Good, and he thinks building a footbridge is a great place to start. Nathaniel is grateful to form part of such a dedicated team and is looking forward to working alongside NDSEED’s partner community in the summer of 2023.
Thomas Walters
Role: Volunteer Course Assistant (Assistant Construction Manager)
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Class: 2024
Tommy Walters is a junior Civil Engineering student who will be serving NDSEED as the Assistant Construction Manager this year. This is Tommy’s first year on NDSEED, and he is excited to get to use his engineering skills on an impactful project. Tommy brings with him experience from internships at both HDR Engineering and Prus Construction in Cincinnati, where he gained experience working on and overseeing construction projects. On campus, Tommy is the sustainability commissioner for Duncan Hall. He loves sports, especially baseball, and he builds a lot of Legos in his spare time. Tommy is very excited to step into his VCA role and to be a part of this special team of students.
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Class: 2024
Tommy Walters is a junior Civil Engineering student who will be serving NDSEED as the Assistant Construction Manager this year. This is Tommy’s first year on NDSEED, and he is excited to get to use his engineering skills on an impactful project. Tommy brings with him experience from internships at both HDR Engineering and Prus Construction in Cincinnati, where he gained experience working on and overseeing construction projects. On campus, Tommy is the sustainability commissioner for Duncan Hall. He loves sports, especially baseball, and he builds a lot of Legos in his spare time. Tommy is very excited to step into his VCA role and to be a part of this special team of students.
Doyup Kwon
Role: Volunteer Course Assistant (Assistant Bridge Designer)
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Torrance, CA
Class: 2024
Doyup Kwon is a junior studying Civil Engineering with a minor in computational engineering who will be working on the team as the Assistant Bridge Designer. Doyup is excited to utilize his skills and passions for engineering in order to work with and give assistance to those that need it most and hopes to gain a deeper understanding of how to work on international development projects and what it means to effectively serve others through engineering. Outside of NDSEED, Doyup continues to expand this holistic perspective of engineering as a Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study (NDIAS) fellow, where he examines how to bring the interdisciplinary aspects of civil engineering to the forefront. He looks forward to honing these skills and viewpoints alongside other engineers on this team.
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Torrance, CA
Class: 2024
Doyup Kwon is a junior studying Civil Engineering with a minor in computational engineering who will be working on the team as the Assistant Bridge Designer. Doyup is excited to utilize his skills and passions for engineering in order to work with and give assistance to those that need it most and hopes to gain a deeper understanding of how to work on international development projects and what it means to effectively serve others through engineering. Outside of NDSEED, Doyup continues to expand this holistic perspective of engineering as a Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study (NDIAS) fellow, where he examines how to bring the interdisciplinary aspects of civil engineering to the forefront. He looks forward to honing these skills and viewpoints alongside other engineers on this team.
Katie Sullivan
Role: Volunteer Course Assistant (Logistics and Operations Assistant)
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Saginaw, MI
Class: 2025
Katie Sullivan is a sophomore studying Civil Engineering with a minor in Engineering Corporate Practice. Katie will be serving NDSEED as a Volunteer Course Assistant (VCA) within the Logistics and Operations department. With a passion for international development and social service, Katie is a part of the Kellogg International Scholars Program on campus, where she works under a Civil Engineering professor conducting research on how various hydro-centric industries affect the lives of the communities surrounding them. Katie is also the local project lead for Engineers Without Borders (EWB), where she works closely with the City of South Bend to solve conflicts regarding stormwater management. She hopes to use her knowledge of engineering and her passion for helping others to fully delve into the mission of NDSEED. Although the youngest on the team, Katie is eager to fill the shoes of those in past NDSEED teams and is excited to gain a greater understanding of how to make a lasting impact through engineering.
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Saginaw, MI
Class: 2025
Katie Sullivan is a sophomore studying Civil Engineering with a minor in Engineering Corporate Practice. Katie will be serving NDSEED as a Volunteer Course Assistant (VCA) within the Logistics and Operations department. With a passion for international development and social service, Katie is a part of the Kellogg International Scholars Program on campus, where she works under a Civil Engineering professor conducting research on how various hydro-centric industries affect the lives of the communities surrounding them. Katie is also the local project lead for Engineers Without Borders (EWB), where she works closely with the City of South Bend to solve conflicts regarding stormwater management. She hopes to use her knowledge of engineering and her passion for helping others to fully delve into the mission of NDSEED. Although the youngest on the team, Katie is eager to fill the shoes of those in past NDSEED teams and is excited to gain a greater understanding of how to make a lasting impact through engineering.
Kerry Conneely
Role: Volunteer Course Assistant (Assistant Quality Control Manager)
Major: Environmental Engineering
Hometown: LaGrange, IL
Class: 2024
Kerry Conneely is a junior studying Environmental Engineering with a minor in International Development Studies. Serving as a Volunteer Course Assistant (VCA), Kerry hopes to apply the technical knowledge she's gained in her coursework to empower others through the implementation of a footbridge. On campus, she is the treasurer for the Society of Women Engineers and an intern for the ND Environmental Change Initiative. Kerry is excited to combine her interests in both engineering and international development while growing alongside her team members who share similar interests and values.
Major: Environmental Engineering
Hometown: LaGrange, IL
Class: 2024
Kerry Conneely is a junior studying Environmental Engineering with a minor in International Development Studies. Serving as a Volunteer Course Assistant (VCA), Kerry hopes to apply the technical knowledge she's gained in her coursework to empower others through the implementation of a footbridge. On campus, she is the treasurer for the Society of Women Engineers and an intern for the ND Environmental Change Initiative. Kerry is excited to combine her interests in both engineering and international development while growing alongside her team members who share similar interests and values.
John Donaruma
Role: Quality Control Manager
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Granger, IN
Class: 2024
John Donaruma is a junior Civil Engineering student who will be serving the 2022-2023 team as the Quality Control (QC) Manager. After serving as a Volunteer Course Assistant (VCA) in the previous year, John seeks to use his prior experience to continue NDSEED’s mission to build equity for those who need it most. Working closely with the previous year’s QC Manager, he has developed a deep understanding of the moral pertinence of providing quality construction. Additionally, John served as a Quality Intern at Modineer Group last summer, providing additional passion and experience to his reservoir. Beyond engineering, John enjoys acting in theater productions, particularly works of Shakespeare. He hopes to use his passion for telling stories and understanding people to connect with those living in NDSEED’s partner community this year.
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Granger, IN
Class: 2024
John Donaruma is a junior Civil Engineering student who will be serving the 2022-2023 team as the Quality Control (QC) Manager. After serving as a Volunteer Course Assistant (VCA) in the previous year, John seeks to use his prior experience to continue NDSEED’s mission to build equity for those who need it most. Working closely with the previous year’s QC Manager, he has developed a deep understanding of the moral pertinence of providing quality construction. Additionally, John served as a Quality Intern at Modineer Group last summer, providing additional passion and experience to his reservoir. Beyond engineering, John enjoys acting in theater productions, particularly works of Shakespeare. He hopes to use his passion for telling stories and understanding people to connect with those living in NDSEED’s partner community this year.
bottom of page