Over the next two weeks, as we approach the commencement ceremonies for the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences Class of 2026, we will be sharing senior spotlights of some of our exceptional students from each CEMS program.

How did you choose your major?

I majored in Civil Engineering, driven by my lifelong interest in architecture and my passions for math and design. Being able to work on public projects and contribute to new construction and preservation of existing structures is something I am excited to be a part of.

Did you choose to include a minor or certificates?

My minor is Pure Mathematics, which I chose to supplement my fundamental understanding of the math behind design. In addition to my studies, I have also had the opportunity to pursue my Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification, and I look forward to working towards my Professional Engineer (PE) and Structural Engineer (SE) licenses in the future.

What extracurricular organizations and activities did you enjoy at UVM?

Over my time at UVM, I have been heavily involved on campus across multiple disciplines. I have had the opportunity to captain our student steel bridge team through the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), I have worked as a teaching and research assistant through the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the UVM Transportation Research Center (TRC). Within engineering, I have also been on the board for UVM MOVE (formerly the Transportation Engineering Club). 

Outside of engineering, I have worked as an orientation leader since my sophomore year and, during my senior year, was promoted to a team lead position, having the opportunity to give back to the orientation department and work on organizing programs and training orientation leaders. I have also been an active member of UVM Ski and Snowboard club and participated in multiple intramural sports each semester with the goal of trying something new while staying active.

It was such a pleasure to have Max in multiple classes that I taught, and I really enjoyed working with him. He’s genuinely passionate about structural engineering and always excited to learn. He also helped me as an undergraduate teaching assistant, and I could always count on him to put in the time and get things done well and on time. 

— Priyantha Wijesinghe
Senior Lecturer, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Director of Curricular Enrichment

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

While I haven't had the opportunity to take this class until my senior spring semester, Wood Design with Nick Thielsen has been an eye-opening experience into the fun and unique design challenges that come with structural engineering, which has solidified that as my career interest.

In addition to Thielsen, Professor Eric Hernandez and Professor Priyantha Wijesinghe have been heavily influential in my career direction, as their courses and teaching styles have facilitated my interest in structural engineering.

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

Captaining ASCE's student steel bridge team and leading UVM to regional competition for the second time since 2019 has been my proudest achievement during my time at UVM. Over the course of this project, I was responsible for a large part of the design of a 23-foot span bridge, in which we started from scratch after scrapping our previous year's design. Following the engineering design process, I poured countless hours into machining and organizing a small team to construct and manufacture the pieces of the bridge while simultaneously putting together all of the logistics to send a group of twelve students, including myself, to the ASCE regional competition to assemble our bridge and represent CEMS at the intrastate level. This project really showed me my love for design as well as my desire to project manage and see through long-term projects to completion.

Has an internship helped to guide you on your career path?

Over my time in college, I have had the taken one summer to work as an undergraduate research assistant with the Transportation Research Center (TRC) and another summer to work as a Specialty Engineering Intern with ADTEK Engineers in Fairfax, Virginia. My time with ADTEK Engineers was massively influential on my understanding of the design process in the industry and set in stone the direction of my career to take a structural focus. I had an incredible time working with this firm and am incredibly thankful for everything I was able to learn with them.

Max has been an amazing student in all my classes. He has a passion for civil/structural engineering, which is palpable. Max has embarked on various activities beyond class requirements. One that is memorable was his willingness to volunteer to lead the design, building, and load testing of a scaled funicular ice arch in my Structural Analysis course. 

— Eric Hernandez
Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Graduate Program Director

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I will be moving to Boston and pursuing a career as a Structural Engineering Specialist with STV Inc. My leadership roles and academic experiences through CEMS have provided me with the background necessary to obtain this position, and I am more than excited to begin my career with the skills I have developed over the last four years.

Is there an achievement during your undergraduate years at UVM that you are particularly proud of?

While not a tangible "award", starting the fabrication of our student steel bridge team from scratch and being able to lead the project from start to finish, pouring upwards of 60 hours a week into leading a team, is by far my proudest achievement. To top it off, winning third place in the aesthetics category in the New England regional competition against 15 other schools was a massive accomplishment and a beautiful way to tie up my work on this project throughout the year.

How do you envision your future in the next five years?

Over the next five years, I would like to achieve my PE license and work towards my SE license whilst continuing in the workforce. In addition to work and licensure, I would be excited about the opportunity to pursue a master's degree in structural engineering. While I am starting my career in Boston, I am open to wherever my career takes me, be it domestically or internationally.

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

The largest piece of advice I can give anyone already in or starting college is to befriend the people in your major. I would not have been nearly as involved in the department, nor would I have had half the amount of fun in my academics as I did had I not built a solid circle of friends within all of my classes.

Would you like to include any "shout-outs" to people who helped support you?

Firstly, I want to thank my parents for their support through my time in school. From a young age, attending college was the expectation, and their encouragement of my academic success and interests heavily influenced me in getting to where I am now.

I also want to take the time to thank some of my past employers, starting with Meredith Brown of the Hamilton Mercantile. Being one of the few businesses in my hometown, I essentially grew up in this store, and having the chance to work there during high school and seasonally while attending college is something I am eternally grateful for. I was treated like family here, and being able to work in and be so involved in my community was so rewarding.

In addition to this, I also want to thank Jeff Klaiman of ADTEK Engineers, where I interned between my junior and senior year of college. Working under him was invaluable to my understanding of engineering and solidified my career interest in structures. I could not have asked for a better internship opportunity.