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COLLEGE of ENGINEERING
2024
During the semester, the 2024 Team prepared the design and construction of a suspended footbridge across the Río Trampa, in Trampa Mayu, Chuquisaca, Bolivia. The Team traveled in July and August of 2024, and completed the construction on time. The bridge is 46.28 meters long (151.9 feet) and now serves 200 individuals from surrounding communities. Before construction, during 150 days of the year, the river was difficult or impossible to cross due to flooding, limiting access to school, as well as agricultural and economic opportunities.
Location
Trampa Mayu, Bolivia
Community Members Served
200
Bridge Span Length
46.28
Meet the Team
Kerry Conneely
Role: Project Manager
Major: Environmental Engineering
Minor: International Development Studies
Hometown: LaGrange, IL
Graduation Year: 2024
Kerry Conneely is a senior studying Environmental Engineering with a minor in International Development Studies. Serving as Project Manager, Kerry hopes to apply the technical knowledge she's gained in her coursework to empower others through the implementation of a footbridge. Last summer, she developed her engineering skills and knowledge as an e environmental engineering intern for a land development engineering consulting firm in Chicago. She also spent 6 weeks in Ghana conducting an independent research project examining the impact of flooding and sanitation on wellbeing in coastal communities, where she deepened her passion for cultural immersion. Kerry is excited for the adventure of this year's project, and looks forward to experiencing engineering through a new lens as she and the team live and work with their partner community.
Major: Environmental Engineering
Minor: International Development Studies
Hometown: LaGrange, IL
Graduation Year: 2024
Kerry Conneely is a senior studying Environmental Engineering with a minor in International Development Studies. Serving as Project Manager, Kerry hopes to apply the technical knowledge she's gained in her coursework to empower others through the implementation of a footbridge. Last summer, she developed her engineering skills and knowledge as an e environmental engineering intern for a land development engineering consulting firm in Chicago. She also spent 6 weeks in Ghana conducting an independent research project examining the impact of flooding and sanitation on wellbeing in coastal communities, where she deepened her passion for cultural immersion. Kerry is excited for the adventure of this year's project, and looks forward to experiencing engineering through a new lens as she and the team live and work with their partner community.
Viviana Rivera
Role: Community Relations Manager
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Energy Studies
Hometown: Vega Alta, PR
Graduation Year: 2023
Viviana Rivera is a senior studying civil engineering with a concentration in structures and a minor in energy studies. She will serve as the Cultural Relations Manager on the 2023-2024 NDSEED team. Viviana's interest in civil engineering came from seeing the destruction that natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes caused in rural communities in Puerto Rico. Viviana's goal is to positively impact society through her personal and professional life, and NDSEED is a great platform for her to do this. She recognizes that fomenting a welcoming work environment is crucial and often makes an effort to ensure everyone feels comfortable within a team. Viviana had the opportunity to participate in the Energy Studies Puerto Rico Seminar, which allowed her to develop skills in bridging cultural differences during the week-long immersion experience by helping her classmates better understand the local culture. On the technical side, Viviana has practical experience interning with Donohoe Construction, working on a residential apartment building in the Washington, DC area. Viviana is excited to use the technical and interpersonal skills she has learned to help create meaningful connections between NDSEED and the host community.
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Energy Studies
Hometown: Vega Alta, PR
Graduation Year: 2023
Viviana Rivera is a senior studying civil engineering with a concentration in structures and a minor in energy studies. She will serve as the Cultural Relations Manager on the 2023-2024 NDSEED team. Viviana's interest in civil engineering came from seeing the destruction that natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes caused in rural communities in Puerto Rico. Viviana's goal is to positively impact society through her personal and professional life, and NDSEED is a great platform for her to do this. She recognizes that fomenting a welcoming work environment is crucial and often makes an effort to ensure everyone feels comfortable within a team. Viviana had the opportunity to participate in the Energy Studies Puerto Rico Seminar, which allowed her to develop skills in bridging cultural differences during the week-long immersion experience by helping her classmates better understand the local culture. On the technical side, Viviana has practical experience interning with Donohoe Construction, working on a residential apartment building in the Washington, DC area. Viviana is excited to use the technical and interpersonal skills she has learned to help create meaningful connections between NDSEED and the host community.
Jacob Ropp
Role: Media Manager
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Grand Haven, MI
Graduation Year: 2024
Jacob is a senior civil engineer at ND. He transferred from Bethel University last year in a 3/2 program. He first heard of NDSEED during orientation and couldn’t thing of nothing better to devote his skills and time to. Jacob is also involved in the ND ASCE chapter as well as Engineers Without Boarders. While not in school, Jacob loves spending time at the lake, hunting, and doing anything outdoors. Jacob is excited to travel to Bolivia and capture the spirit of the community we will be working with!
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Grand Haven, MI
Graduation Year: 2024
Jacob is a senior civil engineer at ND. He transferred from Bethel University last year in a 3/2 program. He first heard of NDSEED during orientation and couldn’t thing of nothing better to devote his skills and time to. Jacob is also involved in the ND ASCE chapter as well as Engineers Without Boarders. While not in school, Jacob loves spending time at the lake, hunting, and doing anything outdoors. Jacob is excited to travel to Bolivia and capture the spirit of the community we will be working with!
Tommy Walters
Role: Construction Manager
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Graduation Year: 2024
Tommy Walters is a senior Civil Engineering student with a concentration in structures who will be serving NDSEED as the Construction Manager this year. This is Tommy’s second 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 Kiewit and HDR Engineering, where he gained experience working on and overseeing construction projects. Tommy loves sports, especially baseball, and he builds a lot of Legos in his spare time. Tommy is very excited to step into his Construction Manager role and to be a part of this special team of students.
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Graduation Year: 2024
Tommy Walters is a senior Civil Engineering student with a concentration in structures who will be serving NDSEED as the Construction Manager this year. This is Tommy’s second 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 Kiewit and HDR Engineering, where he gained experience working on and overseeing construction projects. Tommy loves sports, especially baseball, and he builds a lot of Legos in his spare time. Tommy is very excited to step into his Construction Manager role and to be a part of this special team of students.
Ian Guajardo
Role: Quality Control Engineer
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Edinburg, TX
Graduation Year: 2024
Hi my name is Ian Guajardo! I grew up in Mexico but now live in South Texas. This year I will serve as the QC Engineer for the 2024 team. I have always had a passion for engineering and community service and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to do both through this project.
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Edinburg, TX
Graduation Year: 2024
Hi my name is Ian Guajardo! I grew up in Mexico but now live in South Texas. This year I will serve as the QC Engineer for the 2024 team. I have always had a passion for engineering and community service and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to do both through this project.
Doyup Kwon
Role: Bridge Designer
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Torrance, CA
Graduation Year: 2024
Doyup is a senior studying Civil Engineering with a minor in Computational Engineering who will be serving on the team as the Bridge Designer. Doyup looks forward to utilizing his skills to work with and serve those that need it most and hopes to gain a deeper understanding of how to effectively use engineering for good. In his role, he brings a year's worth of experience from his time as the Assistant Bridge Designer for the 2022-2023 team. On campus, Doyup has been a fellow within both the Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study and the Center for Social Concerns, where he has studied and formed a foundation for how he can emphasize the interdisciplinary aspects of civil engineering to complete impactful projects. Doyup is excited to learn and grow alongside his team members within his role.
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Torrance, CA
Graduation Year: 2024
Doyup is a senior studying Civil Engineering with a minor in Computational Engineering who will be serving on the team as the Bridge Designer. Doyup looks forward to utilizing his skills to work with and serve those that need it most and hopes to gain a deeper understanding of how to effectively use engineering for good. In his role, he brings a year's worth of experience from his time as the Assistant Bridge Designer for the 2022-2023 team. On campus, Doyup has been a fellow within both the Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study and the Center for Social Concerns, where he has studied and formed a foundation for how he can emphasize the interdisciplinary aspects of civil engineering to complete impactful projects. Doyup is excited to learn and grow alongside his team members within his role.
Katie Sullivan
Role: Business Manager
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Engineering Corporate Practice
Hometown: Saginaw, Michigan
Graduation Year: 2025
Katie Sullivan is a junior studying civil engineering with a minor in engineering corporate practice. In her second year on NDSEED Katie will serve the 2023-2024 team as Business Manager. Through a previous internship with Walsh Construction, Katie is confident in her knowledge of the construction process and budgeting to be a positive force to the team. Additionally, in high school Katie spent ten days in a small town in Guatemala, helping with the reformation of a single-person house and the pre construction of a church. With a passion to pursue humanitarian work further, Katie views NDSEED as an incredible opportunity to implement her education, drive, and engineering skills to serve a community in need. Katie is ecstatic to live and work with the partner community and experience life through a completely different lens.
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Engineering Corporate Practice
Hometown: Saginaw, Michigan
Graduation Year: 2025
Katie Sullivan is a junior studying civil engineering with a minor in engineering corporate practice. In her second year on NDSEED Katie will serve the 2023-2024 team as Business Manager. Through a previous internship with Walsh Construction, Katie is confident in her knowledge of the construction process and budgeting to be a positive force to the team. Additionally, in high school Katie spent ten days in a small town in Guatemala, helping with the reformation of a single-person house and the pre construction of a church. With a passion to pursue humanitarian work further, Katie views NDSEED as an incredible opportunity to implement her education, drive, and engineering skills to serve a community in need. Katie is ecstatic to live and work with the partner community and experience life through a completely different lens.
Andres Mejia
Role: Safety Manager
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Studio Art
Hometown: Elkhart, IN
Graduation Year: 2024
Andres Mejia is a senior studying Civil Engineering with an interest in Structural Engineering and a minor in Studio Art, where he focuses on ceramics. This is Andres’s first year on the NDSEED team. Through his internships in Chicago and Indianapolis with engineering firms, he has learned a great deal about the construction process through the design lens and has gained experience in safety protocols. Outside of NDSEED, Andres is an active member of Notre Dame Men's Boxing, where he participates in the annual Bengal Bouts tournament. As he steps into his role as safety manager, Andres is excited to put his engineering knowledge to a practical application that enhances the lives of the community around the project.
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Studio Art
Hometown: Elkhart, IN
Graduation Year: 2024
Andres Mejia is a senior studying Civil Engineering with an interest in Structural Engineering and a minor in Studio Art, where he focuses on ceramics. This is Andres’s first year on the NDSEED team. Through his internships in Chicago and Indianapolis with engineering firms, he has learned a great deal about the construction process through the design lens and has gained experience in safety protocols. Outside of NDSEED, Andres is an active member of Notre Dame Men's Boxing, where he participates in the annual Bengal Bouts tournament. As he steps into his role as safety manager, Andres is excited to put his engineering knowledge to a practical application that enhances the lives of the community around the project.
Anastasia Tejeda
Role: Assistant Construction Manager (VCA)
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Theology
Hometown: Madison, WI
Graduation Year: 2026
Anastasia is a sophomore civil engineering student! Outside of NDSEED, Anastasia is involved with ND Dream Teams, Campus Ministry and interhall sports. In her free time, she enjoys running, hanging out with friends, cooking and being outside! She is excited to use the skills she is learning in her classes to help build something that will help improve the lives of others. She is so excited to be a part of this team!
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Theology
Hometown: Madison, WI
Graduation Year: 2026
Anastasia is a sophomore civil engineering student! Outside of NDSEED, Anastasia is involved with ND Dream Teams, Campus Ministry and interhall sports. In her free time, she enjoys running, hanging out with friends, cooking and being outside! She is excited to use the skills she is learning in her classes to help build something that will help improve the lives of others. She is so excited to be a part of this team!
Elena Que
Role: Quality Control Assistant (VCA)
Major: Environmental Engineering, Statistics
Minor: Energy Studies, Earth Science
Hometown: Ham Lake, MN
Graduation Year: 2025
Elena Que is a junior Environmental Engineering and Statistics student with minors in Earth Science and Energy Studies. She is serving as the Assistant Quality Control Manager this year on the NDSEED team and she is looking forward to applying her technical engineering skills to a project that will have a direct impact on an isolated community. Outside of NDSEED, Elena is the Local Project Lead for Engineers Without Borders and the Public Relations officer for the American Society of Civil Engineers. Through her academic experience and involvement in engineering oriented extracurriculars, Elena has become passionate about using engineering for good and tying ideas learned in the classroom to real world issues that need to be solved. She is excited to apply these ideas on an international scale and work with the team to improve her own skills along the way.
Major: Environmental Engineering, Statistics
Minor: Energy Studies, Earth Science
Hometown: Ham Lake, MN
Graduation Year: 2025
Elena Que is a junior Environmental Engineering and Statistics student with minors in Earth Science and Energy Studies. She is serving as the Assistant Quality Control Manager this year on the NDSEED team and she is looking forward to applying her technical engineering skills to a project that will have a direct impact on an isolated community. Outside of NDSEED, Elena is the Local Project Lead for Engineers Without Borders and the Public Relations officer for the American Society of Civil Engineers. Through her academic experience and involvement in engineering oriented extracurriculars, Elena has become passionate about using engineering for good and tying ideas learned in the classroom to real world issues that need to be solved. She is excited to apply these ideas on an international scale and work with the team to improve her own skills along the way.
Martin Soros
Role: Assistant Bridge Designer (VCA)
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Bethesda, MD
Graduation Year: 2026
Martin is a sophomore studying civil engineering who will serve the 2024 NDSEED Team as the Assistant Bridge Designer. He is grateful for this unique opportunity and excited to channel his academic experience into his dedication to service. He was the Community Relations Lead on the 2023 assessment trip in San Pedro de Suma, Ecuador for the Notre Dame chapter of Engineers Without Borders. He also lived in Florencio Varela, Argentina for five months, working in neighborhoods affected by drug trafficking and crime, teaching English courses for adults and math classes for teens. Given these experiences, he has a unique desire to bridge the divides that different cultures, languages, and socioeconomic barriers pose. Martin is wholeheartedly committed to NDSEED's mission of helping underserved communities pave a way for their future.
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Bethesda, MD
Graduation Year: 2026
Martin is a sophomore studying civil engineering who will serve the 2024 NDSEED Team as the Assistant Bridge Designer. He is grateful for this unique opportunity and excited to channel his academic experience into his dedication to service. He was the Community Relations Lead on the 2023 assessment trip in San Pedro de Suma, Ecuador for the Notre Dame chapter of Engineers Without Borders. He also lived in Florencio Varela, Argentina for five months, working in neighborhoods affected by drug trafficking and crime, teaching English courses for adults and math classes for teens. Given these experiences, he has a unique desire to bridge the divides that different cultures, languages, and socioeconomic barriers pose. Martin is wholeheartedly committed to NDSEED's mission of helping underserved communities pave a way for their future.
Arturo Peña
Role: Operations VCA
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Graduation Year: 2025
Arturo Peña is a junior studying Mechanical Engineering who will be serving NDSEED as a Volunteer Course Assistant (VCA) within the Logistics and Operations department. Arturo is very excited about the opportunity to combine his two passions: engineering and service. Arturo brings with him his adept ability to manage tasks efficiently and think critically to help those around him. His experiences as Stanford Hall Service Commissioner and being part of the Junior Class Council Service Committee have both developed his desire to help the less fortunate. Arturo is eager to learn and execute a complex engineering process alongside brilliant engineers, not only for personal growth but also to contribute to meaningful engineering projects that can improve the lives of underserved communities in Latin America.
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Graduation Year: 2025
Arturo Peña is a junior studying Mechanical Engineering who will be serving NDSEED as a Volunteer Course Assistant (VCA) within the Logistics and Operations department. Arturo is very excited about the opportunity to combine his two passions: engineering and service. Arturo brings with him his adept ability to manage tasks efficiently and think critically to help those around him. His experiences as Stanford Hall Service Commissioner and being part of the Junior Class Council Service Committee have both developed his desire to help the less fortunate. Arturo is eager to learn and execute a complex engineering process alongside brilliant engineers, not only for personal growth but also to contribute to meaningful engineering projects that can improve the lives of underserved communities in Latin America.
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