The Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) recently held a leadership training and orientation workshop in collaboration with the PEER group, led by Dr. Yvette E. Pearson, P.E., F.ASCE. Dr. Pearson is widely recognized for her expertise in environmental engineering and strategies for enhancing engagement, communication, and collaboration within organizations.
The workshop brought together SEI committee leaders and the Board of Governors to explore ways to strengthen SEI’s leadership, improve outreach efforts, and align initiatives with SEI’s long-term strategic goals. Using PEER’s MESA framework—Measure, Evaluate, Strategize, and Act, participants discussed approaches to increasing engagement across the structural engineering profession.
A key focus of the workshop was enhancing communication and outreach efforts—both within SEI and across the broader structural engineering community. Discussions emphasized the importance of expanding engagement with K-12, college, and post-graduate students, strengthening mentorship programs, and fostering greater collaboration between educators, industry leaders, and practicing engineers. By improving outreach and ensuring alignment with evolving workforce needs, SEI aims to support the next generation of engineers and reinforce the profession’s impact on society.
This initiative was originally championed by SEI Past President Jerome Hajjar as part of his broader vision for advancing sustainability and innovation in structural engineering. The workshop was launched under the leadership of current SEI President Stephanie Slocum, reinforcing SEI’s commitment to leadership development and the continued growth of the structural engineering profession.