From the Department Head
Civil, construction, and environmental engineering shape how communities live, move, and grow — a responsibility that guides everything we do.
Engineering the Way Forward
CCEE is a place defined not just by the scale of our programs or the strength of our research, but by the people who bring curiosity, commitment, and care to their work every day. Our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners form a community united by a shared belief: that engineering, done thoughtfully and responsibly, can improve lives and strengthen the systems society depends on.
We prepare engineers to take on challenges that matter — from protecting clean water and public health, to building resilient infrastructure, to advancing sustainable solutions for a changing world. That preparation happens through hands-on learning, close mentorship, and meaningful engagement with real problems and real communities. It also begins long before students arrive on campus, as we work to spark curiosity and build engineering mindsets at every stage of education.
Our faculty and students lead research that delivers practical solutions across civil, construction, and environmental engineering. Whether improving construction safety, accelerating climate modeling, strengthening coastal resilience, or rethinking how infrastructure serves communities, this work reflects our commitment to impact that is both immediate and lasting.
At a time when investment in public higher education and research is increasingly uncertain, our mission is more vital than ever. Preparing future engineers and advancing knowledge is essential to economic strength, public well-being, and environmental stewardship. We do this work with intention and with confidence in the difference it makes.
To our alumni and partners: you remain at the heart of this department. Your mentorship, collaboration, and support shape the experience we offer today’s students and the future we are building together. I hope you’ll stay connected, stay curious, and continue to be part of the CCEE community.
I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and even more excited about what lies ahead.
Dr. Jacqueline MacDonald Gibson
Twisdale Family Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering Department Head
Our Purpose
As civil, construction, and environmental engineers, we design and maintain the infrastructure that underpins modern life with systems that support mobility, health, safety, economic vitality, and environmental quality. Our work touches everyone, every day. With that reach comes responsibility: to design with care, to act with integrity, and to prepare leaders who understand both the technical and human dimensions of engineering decisions.
We believe the most effective engineers are those who combine technical excellence with empathy, collaboration, and a long-term perspective. That belief shapes how we teach, how we conduct research, and how we engage with communities across North Carolina and beyond.
Our Mission
- Educate engineers through rigorous, hands-on undergraduate and graduate programs that evolve with the field.
- Advance knowledge through research that addresses pressing infrastructure, environmental, and public health challenges.
- Serve communities through outreach, extension, and professional engagement.
- Prepare leaders equipped to design, build, and sustain resilient systems for a changing world.
Looking Ahead
Engineering is never static and neither is CCEE. As technologies evolve and societal needs shift, our department remains committed to adaptation, collaboration, and impact. We will continue to strengthen our programs, expand our research, and support students in shaping paths that reflect both their ambitions and the needs of the communities they serve.
At CCEE, engineering is not just what we teach. It’s how we show up — for our students, for our partners, and for the future we are helping to build.
