Over the next two weeks, as we approach the commencement ceremonies for the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences Class of 2025, we will be sharing some senior spotlights of outstanding students from each CEMS department.

Graduating senior Jacob McCoy is an Environmental Engineering major with minors in Biochemistry and Math from East Montpelier, VT.  He is the 2025 co-recipient of the Edward H. Phelps Prize which is awarded by the faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering to a student in the program “who shall have exhibited conspicuous merit in professional studies, and high and noble traits of character if such can be found.”

How did you choose your major?

I've known I wanted to be an engineer since I joined a robotics team in 5th grade and fell in love with the problem-solving process. I chose environmental engineering because it seemed like the one where I could make the most meaningful difference.

Do you have a memorable research experience from your time in CEE?

My honors thesis has been three years in the making, beginning from when I joined the Environmental Microbiome Engineering Research Group (EMERG) in the summer after my freshman year. As part of graduate student Leandro Conrado's research, fellow undergraduate Leo Rabinovich and I prepared and tested over 600 bottles for fermentation batch experiments over the course of a year and a half. I chose to build on this experience for my thesis, operating fermentation bioreactors to model the anaerobic digestion of organic waste. There have been a lot of late nights (and early mornings), but my experience in research has been invaluable for learning what I want to do after graduation, and I'm so grateful for Matt Scarborough and the rest of the EMERG community for making me feel at home here at UVM.

I lucked out when Chris Beling, a project engineer for the EPA, mentioned that her neighbor and family friend was a first-year student in environmental engineering. I reached out to Jacob just to introduce myself. He’s been working with my research group ever since.

- Matthew J. Scarborough
Assistant Professor
Civil and Environmental Engineering

Is there a class or professor who had a significant impact on your academic journey at UVM? 

Professor Matthew Scarborough has had an extraordinary impact on my growth at UVM. He gave me an opportunity working in his EMERG lab very early on, connected me to do some work for the Nutrient Cycling & Ecological Design Lab, put me in contact with Wright-Pierce when I was looking for places to do an internship, taught my favorite engineering class, and has been an amazing thesis advisor and role model.

What are your plans after graduation?

I will be joining the Burlington, VT, office of Wright-Pierce as a wastewater process engineer. I interned with them last summer, and my courses at UVM provided plenty of experience to jump in and contribute meaningfully to projects. The hydraulics course I took and the skills I gained using Excel in various classes were particularly helpful in providing a smooth transition. Apparently, they were pleased with the work I was doing because when the summer ended, they offered me a full-time job!

The thing about Jacob is that he’s not only brilliant, but he’s also one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. The fact that he is staying in Vermont to work on critical wastewater challenges is incredible. He’s capable of so much and I cannot wait to see what he does in his career.

- Matthew J. Scarborough
Assistant Professor
Civil and Environmental Engineering

Is there any advice you would share with incoming first-year students?

Get involved early. It's never too soon to join clubs, talk to professors, or start research. This is a fantastic time to try a bunch of stuff and figure out what you enjoy and will want to continue with once school is done.

Is there an achievement that you are particularly proud of?

I am honored to be a co-recipient of the R.V. Milbank Sophomore Award, the Civil & Environmental Engineering Junior Award, and the 2025 Edward H. Phelps Civil and Environmental Engineering Prize.

What extracurricular organizations and activities did you enjoy at UVM?

I am an officer in Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society. I am a captain of Men's Ultimate Frisbee and Mixed Ultimate Frisbee.