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COLLEGE of ENGINEERING
2025
During the academic year, the 2025 Team prepared the design and construction of a suspended footbridge across the Río Papa Chacra, in Papa Chacra, Tarija, Bolivia. The Team traveled in June and July of 2025, and completed the construction on time. The bridge is 47.60 meters long (156.17 feet) and now serves 300 individuals from surrounding communities. It also provides safe access to farming lands, 2 schools, and a hospital. Before construction, during 180 days of the year, the river was difficult or impossible to cross due to flooding.
Location
Papa Chacra, Bolivia
Community Members Served
300
Bridge Span Length
47.6 m
Meet the Team
Elena Que
Role: Project Manager
Major: Environmental Engineering, Statistics
Minor: Energy Studies, Environmental Earth Sciences
Hometown: Ham Lake, MN
Graduation Year: 2025
Elena Que is a senior Environmental Engineering and Statistics student with minors in Environmental Earth Sciences and Energy Studies. She is serving as the Project Manager this year on the NDSEED team and is looking forward to applying her technical engineering skills to a project that will have a direct impact on an isolated community. This summer, she worked as a process mechanical intern for an environmental consulting firm in Salt Lake City. Through her academic and professional experience, 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 skills on an international scale and work with the team to expand her own perspective along the way.
Major: Environmental Engineering, Statistics
Minor: Energy Studies, Environmental Earth Sciences
Hometown: Ham Lake, MN
Graduation Year: 2025
Elena Que is a senior Environmental Engineering and Statistics student with minors in Environmental Earth Sciences and Energy Studies. She is serving as the Project Manager this year on the NDSEED team and is looking forward to applying her technical engineering skills to a project that will have a direct impact on an isolated community. This summer, she worked as a process mechanical intern for an environmental consulting firm in Salt Lake City. Through her academic and professional experience, 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 skills on an international scale and work with the team to expand her own perspective along the way.
Arturo Peña
Role: Construction Manager
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Graduation Year: 2025
Arturo Peña is a senior studying Mechanical Engineering and will serve as the Construction Manager for the 2024-25 NDSEED Team. After being part of NDSEED last year as the Operations VCA, Arturo is excited to join the travel team, applying his engineering skills to make a meaningful impact on underserved communities. This past summer, Arturo conducted research with Professor Robert Landers, focusing on Digital Metal Forming and Automated Manufacturing using a Yaskawa 6-axis robot. His passion for service is further emphasized through his role as the Service and Spirituality Chair for the Senior Class Council. In his free time, Arturo enjoys watching and playing soccer, football, and baseball, as well as hiking, biking, and exploring new cuisines. He is eager to collaborate with the incredibly talented NDSEED team, building lasting connections and creating positive change for those in need.
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Graduation Year: 2025
Arturo Peña is a senior studying Mechanical Engineering and will serve as the Construction Manager for the 2024-25 NDSEED Team. After being part of NDSEED last year as the Operations VCA, Arturo is excited to join the travel team, applying his engineering skills to make a meaningful impact on underserved communities. This past summer, Arturo conducted research with Professor Robert Landers, focusing on Digital Metal Forming and Automated Manufacturing using a Yaskawa 6-axis robot. His passion for service is further emphasized through his role as the Service and Spirituality Chair for the Senior Class Council. In his free time, Arturo enjoys watching and playing soccer, football, and baseball, as well as hiking, biking, and exploring new cuisines. He is eager to collaborate with the incredibly talented NDSEED team, building lasting connections and creating positive change for those in need.
Martin Soros
Role: Design Manager
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Theology and ESS (Education, Schooling, and Society)
Hometown: Bethesda, MD
Graduation Year: 2026
Martin is a junior studying Civil Engineering and minoring in Theology and ESS (Education, Schooling, and Society) who will be serving the 2025 NDSEED Team as the Bridge Designer. This is Martin’s second year on NDSEED, and he brings experience as Assistant Bridge Designer on the 2024 Team. Martin has internship experience in the construction industry, having worked in Field Operations on Fort Meade, MD, as well as a passion for international development, having worked in Florencio Varela, Argentina as a teacher. He is grateful for this opportunity, excited to channel his academic experience into his dedication to service, and looks forward to learning and growing alongside this year’s team.
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Theology and ESS (Education, Schooling, and Society)
Hometown: Bethesda, MD
Graduation Year: 2026
Martin is a junior studying Civil Engineering and minoring in Theology and ESS (Education, Schooling, and Society) who will be serving the 2025 NDSEED Team as the Bridge Designer. This is Martin’s second year on NDSEED, and he brings experience as Assistant Bridge Designer on the 2024 Team. Martin has internship experience in the construction industry, having worked in Field Operations on Fort Meade, MD, as well as a passion for international development, having worked in Florencio Varela, Argentina as a teacher. He is grateful for this opportunity, excited to channel his academic experience into his dedication to service, and looks forward to learning and growing alongside this year’s team.
Lucia Reynoso Donis
Role: Cultural Relations Manager
Major: Industrial Design
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Graduation Year: 2027
Lucia Reynoso Donis is a sophomore studying mechanical engineering. Lucia is thrilled to be a part of the 2024-2025 NDSEED team as the community relations manager. Lucia has always dreamt of making a positive global impact, and she feels NDSEED is a great step in that direction. Lucia became inspired by her yearly visits to her parents home in Guatemala, where the exposure to impoverished communities sparked a passion for service within her.
Major: Industrial Design
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Graduation Year: 2027
Lucia Reynoso Donis is a sophomore studying mechanical engineering. Lucia is thrilled to be a part of the 2024-2025 NDSEED team as the community relations manager. Lucia has always dreamt of making a positive global impact, and she feels NDSEED is a great step in that direction. Lucia became inspired by her yearly visits to her parents home in Guatemala, where the exposure to impoverished communities sparked a passion for service within her.
Anastasia Tejeda
Role: Safety Manager
Major: Psychology & Theology
Hometown: Madison, WI
Graduation Year: 2026
Anastasia is a junior and is this year’s safety manager! Outside of NDSEED, Anastasia is involved with Campus Ministry and interhall sports and is also a BUBBL’R brand ambassador. In her free time, she enjoys running, hanging out with friends, cooking and being outside! She loves building bridges and is excited to help improve the lives of others and to keep everyone safe. She is so excited to be a part of this team!
Major: Psychology & Theology
Hometown: Madison, WI
Graduation Year: 2026
Anastasia is a junior and is this year’s safety manager! Outside of NDSEED, Anastasia is involved with Campus Ministry and interhall sports and is also a BUBBL’R brand ambassador. In her free time, she enjoys running, hanging out with friends, cooking and being outside! She loves building bridges and is excited to help improve the lives of others and to keep everyone safe. She is so excited to be a part of this team!
Sean Egan
Role: Quality Control Manager
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Minor: Energy Studies
Hometown: South Bend, IN
Graduation Year: 2025
Sean is a senior studying Mechanical Engineering and minoring in Energy Studies who will be serving the 2025 NDSEED Team as the Quality Control Manager. This is Sean’s first year on the NDSEED team. Through his time studying abroad in Chile where he took engineering classes in Spanish and served food to the homeless at a local church and his process engineering internship at C&S Machine, he brings experience in quality control protocols and working with underserved communities in South America. Outside of NDSEED, Sean enjoys being outside and hiking, golfing, and playing basketball. He is excited to combine his learned engineering and Spanish skills to make a positive impact on underserved communities and to work with a group of such talented people!
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Minor: Energy Studies
Hometown: South Bend, IN
Graduation Year: 2025
Sean is a senior studying Mechanical Engineering and minoring in Energy Studies who will be serving the 2025 NDSEED Team as the Quality Control Manager. This is Sean’s first year on the NDSEED team. Through his time studying abroad in Chile where he took engineering classes in Spanish and served food to the homeless at a local church and his process engineering internship at C&S Machine, he brings experience in quality control protocols and working with underserved communities in South America. Outside of NDSEED, Sean enjoys being outside and hiking, golfing, and playing basketball. He is excited to combine his learned engineering and Spanish skills to make a positive impact on underserved communities and to work with a group of such talented people!
Clare Seymour
Role: Media Manager
Major: Civil Engineering
Supplemental Major: Spanish
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Graduation Year: 2025
Clare Seymour is a Senior Civil Engineering student with a Supplemental Major in Spanish. She serves as the Media Manager on this year’s NDSEED team and is excited to document the project both on campus and in-country. Clare is also a member of this year’s Design Team, using her experience from senior-level coursework and internships in Civil Engineering to support the design of the bridge. Clare brings construction management experience from her internship at Archer Western and transportation expertise from her internship at Kimley-Horn. She also spent a semester abroad in Santiago, Chile where she lived with a host family, took engineering courses in Spanish, and volunteered with the local community. This experience enhanced her Spanish language skills and provided her with valuable international exposure. Clare is super excited to be a part of this year’s awesome NDSEED team and is looking forward to using her Spanish and engineering capabilities to make a meaningful impact on a project that supports a geographically isolated community!
Major: Civil Engineering
Supplemental Major: Spanish
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Graduation Year: 2025
Clare Seymour is a Senior Civil Engineering student with a Supplemental Major in Spanish. She serves as the Media Manager on this year’s NDSEED team and is excited to document the project both on campus and in-country. Clare is also a member of this year’s Design Team, using her experience from senior-level coursework and internships in Civil Engineering to support the design of the bridge. Clare brings construction management experience from her internship at Archer Western and transportation expertise from her internship at Kimley-Horn. She also spent a semester abroad in Santiago, Chile where she lived with a host family, took engineering courses in Spanish, and volunteered with the local community. This experience enhanced her Spanish language skills and provided her with valuable international exposure. Clare is super excited to be a part of this year’s awesome NDSEED team and is looking forward to using her Spanish and engineering capabilities to make a meaningful impact on a project that supports a geographically isolated community!
Ashley Cernicky
Role: Business Manager
Major: Environmental Engineering
Minor: Energy Studies, Environmental Earth Sciences
Hometown: Allen, TX
Graduation Year: 2025
Ashley Cernicky is a senior environmental engineering student with minors in Environmental Earth Sciences and Energy Studies. This year marks her first year on the NDSEED team, where she serves as the Business Manager. Her project management experience at The Walsh Group provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the project lifecycle, as well as expertise in managing budgets and costs throughout the construction process. This background equips her to successfully fundraise and manage costs for this year's build. Outside of NDSEED, Ashley is the student manager of the women’s rowing team. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and trying new things. Ashley is passionate about using her engineering degree to make a positive impact and is excited to live and work alongside the community to create lasting, meaningful change.
Major: Environmental Engineering
Minor: Energy Studies, Environmental Earth Sciences
Hometown: Allen, TX
Graduation Year: 2025
Ashley Cernicky is a senior environmental engineering student with minors in Environmental Earth Sciences and Energy Studies. This year marks her first year on the NDSEED team, where she serves as the Business Manager. Her project management experience at The Walsh Group provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the project lifecycle, as well as expertise in managing budgets and costs throughout the construction process. This background equips her to successfully fundraise and manage costs for this year's build. Outside of NDSEED, Ashley is the student manager of the women’s rowing team. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and trying new things. Ashley is passionate about using her engineering degree to make a positive impact and is excited to live and work alongside the community to create lasting, meaningful change.
Julia Meitner
Role: Quality Control Assistant (VCA)
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Energy Studies
Hometown: Hays, Kansas
Graduation Year: 2026
Julia is a junior studying civil engineering with a minor in energy studies. This year, she is serving as the Quality Control Assistant for the NDSEED team, where she’s eager to apply her technical skills to a project that will directly benefit a rural community. Beyond NDSEED, Julia is the Vice President of Engineers Without Borders, a member of the Lewis Hall Executive Board, and active in Campus Ministry. Her passion for engineering, combined with her love of travel, has inspired her to focus on projects that promote change, particularly in underdeveloped areas. She hopes to continue using her engineering skills to develop sustainable infrastructure solutions that improve quality of life for underserved communities.
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Energy Studies
Hometown: Hays, Kansas
Graduation Year: 2026
Julia is a junior studying civil engineering with a minor in energy studies. This year, she is serving as the Quality Control Assistant for the NDSEED team, where she’s eager to apply her technical skills to a project that will directly benefit a rural community. Beyond NDSEED, Julia is the Vice President of Engineers Without Borders, a member of the Lewis Hall Executive Board, and active in Campus Ministry. Her passion for engineering, combined with her love of travel, has inspired her to focus on projects that promote change, particularly in underdeveloped areas. She hopes to continue using her engineering skills to develop sustainable infrastructure solutions that improve quality of life for underserved communities.
Maclean Lauber
Role: Assistant Construction Manager (VCA)
Major: Industrial Design and Education
Hometown: St. Paul, MN
Graduation Year: 2027
Maclean, a sophomore studying Industrial Design and Education, will serve the 2025 NDSEED Team as the Assistant Construction Manager. He is enthusiastic about the organization's enablement of students to apply their technical knowledge in service-oriented experience. Maclean is passionate about the NDSEED mission that focuses on the empowerment and thriving of underserved communities in Latin America. Beyond NDSEED, Maclean is no stranger to working with others to create better futures and embolden self-bettering aspirations. He finds purposeful joy in serving the underprivileged of the South Bend community and the world, especially in education. Through University-related programs, he has had the opportunity to serve, live, and learn in places like Ghana and Honduras. NDSEED has allowed Maclean the opportunity to pursue his professional and vocational interests; with a background in industrial design, he has a special interest in community- and service-based innovation. Maclean is excited to be surrounded by talented teammates, learning and engaging in an impactful engineering project to uplift others.
Major: Industrial Design and Education
Hometown: St. Paul, MN
Graduation Year: 2027
Maclean, a sophomore studying Industrial Design and Education, will serve the 2025 NDSEED Team as the Assistant Construction Manager. He is enthusiastic about the organization's enablement of students to apply their technical knowledge in service-oriented experience. Maclean is passionate about the NDSEED mission that focuses on the empowerment and thriving of underserved communities in Latin America. Beyond NDSEED, Maclean is no stranger to working with others to create better futures and embolden self-bettering aspirations. He finds purposeful joy in serving the underprivileged of the South Bend community and the world, especially in education. Through University-related programs, he has had the opportunity to serve, live, and learn in places like Ghana and Honduras. NDSEED has allowed Maclean the opportunity to pursue his professional and vocational interests; with a background in industrial design, he has a special interest in community- and service-based innovation. Maclean is excited to be surrounded by talented teammates, learning and engaging in an impactful engineering project to uplift others.
Jack Schillinger
Role: Assistant Design Manager (VCA)
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ
Graduation Year: 2027
Jack is a sophomore studying Mechanical Engineering who will serve the 2025 NDSEED Team as the Assistant Bridge Designer. He is excited to apply his engineering skills for service to a project committed to enhancing the quality of life in an isolated community. Outside NDSEED, Jack has been dedicated to service and engineering all his life. For six years he served in the organization of Boys Team Charity, helping local communities in need and arranging philanthropic projects for underprivileged groups. He also has engaged his engineering talents over the years by working on projects on campus and back home, aspiring to learn and design a better future. NDSEED has allowed him to combine his love for service and knowledge of engineering into one. Jack is enthusiastic about learning and engaging in a complex engineering process with talented engineers, driven not only by his desire for personal development but also by a commitment to contributing to impactful engineering projects that uplift underserved communities in Latin America.
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ
Graduation Year: 2027
Jack is a sophomore studying Mechanical Engineering who will serve the 2025 NDSEED Team as the Assistant Bridge Designer. He is excited to apply his engineering skills for service to a project committed to enhancing the quality of life in an isolated community. Outside NDSEED, Jack has been dedicated to service and engineering all his life. For six years he served in the organization of Boys Team Charity, helping local communities in need and arranging philanthropic projects for underprivileged groups. He also has engaged his engineering talents over the years by working on projects on campus and back home, aspiring to learn and design a better future. NDSEED has allowed him to combine his love for service and knowledge of engineering into one. Jack is enthusiastic about learning and engaging in a complex engineering process with talented engineers, driven not only by his desire for personal development but also by a commitment to contributing to impactful engineering projects that uplift underserved communities in Latin America.
Mara Morales-Arnao
Role: Safety Manager Assistant (VCA)
Major: Environmental Engineering
Minor: Sustainability
Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA
Graduation Year: 2027
Mara Morales-Arnao is a sophomore Environmental Engineering student with a minor in Sustainability. She is serving as a Volunteer Course Assistant (VCA) this year, primarily working as an assistant under the Safety Manager. Mara chose to be a part of NDSEED because she loves how this project allows her to apply the knowledge she gains in the classroom and be able to help a community in need at the same time. This summer, she worked as a visiting research assistant for the Coastal Engineering Lab at the University of Southern California and contributed to the design and manufacturing of a wave energy capture device. Through this experience and her academic studies, Mara is extremely excited to apply the skills she has learned so far and is eager to learn more!
Major: Environmental Engineering
Minor: Sustainability
Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA
Graduation Year: 2027
Mara Morales-Arnao is a sophomore Environmental Engineering student with a minor in Sustainability. She is serving as a Volunteer Course Assistant (VCA) this year, primarily working as an assistant under the Safety Manager. Mara chose to be a part of NDSEED because she loves how this project allows her to apply the knowledge she gains in the classroom and be able to help a community in need at the same time. This summer, she worked as a visiting research assistant for the Coastal Engineering Lab at the University of Southern California and contributed to the design and manufacturing of a wave energy capture device. Through this experience and her academic studies, Mara is extremely excited to apply the skills she has learned so far and is eager to learn more!
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