SEAOC Convention Provides Annual Enrichment

ARCE students and alumni at the 2022 SEAOC Convention.

On August 31, four Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC) student officers participated in the 2022 convention in Indian Wells, California, as part of the convention committee. They enjoyed various presentation tracks, networking, and experiencing the convention as young SEAOC members and students.    

The SEAOC student officers assisted in checking in all convention attendees, coordinating events, and ensuring industry professionals had a great time. The students are also scouting industry guest speakers to invite to Cal Poly for lunchtime meetings and their annual Structural Forum. The students were able to participate in all the events and chat with exhibitors, such as Simpson-Strong Tie, MiTek and Risa. Of the many presentations, students heard architectural engineering (ARCE) faculty members John Lawson and Anahid Behrouzi, along with fellow ARCE students, present their latest work.  

ARCE students Faith Sharp and Armando Castaneda present their research on Timber Buckling Restrained Braced Frames.

The student officers also participated in more social activities, such as the President’s Cup, where they took home first place representing Structural Engineers Association of Southern California (SEAOSC). They concluded by attending the ARCE alumni event hosted by the department, where they connected with old and new friends. Overall, students were grateful for the opportunities the ARCE department and SEAOC provided.   

“This is the largest gathering of California’s structural engineers in any given year and we want to be there,” said ARCE Department Head Al Estes. “Cal Poly’s ARCE program is the only one to send students to the event year after year. It is great professional development for the students and sends a strong message that we support the industry that hires our graduates.” 

1) SEAOC student officers assist in checking in convention attendees 2) ARCE Department Head Al Estes with SEAOC student officers socializing and networking during convention

“It was a fantastic time,” said SEAOC Student Chapter President Sasha Padilla. “And it is encouraged that more students register for the event each year; it is such an enriching experience full of great opportunities. Looking forward to the 2023 SEAOC Convention in Maui this upcoming year!”    

If you would like to support students presenting in Maui for the 2023 SEAOC Convention this September, please consider giving to the ARCE Parents Learn by Doing Fund and ARCE Fund for Excellence below.