The construction industry's need for engineers with current field experience makes stronger connections between universities and active project teams increasingly important. FlatironDragados participated in a Summer 2026 faculty engagement program that placed a Fresno State professor in operational roles across several Northern California heavy civil projects.
Manideep Tummalapudi, a Fresno State professor, worked with FlatironDragados teams at the Orinda, Upper San Leandro and Anderson Dam projects before completing a project controls rotation in Concord.
Rather than serving solely as an observer, Tummalapudi performed duties associated with intern, field engineer and project engineer positions. His work included reviewing project documentation and participating in discussions involving production, scheduling, safety, quality, costs and project controls.
The experience provided exposure to how field activities are connected to schedules, cost reporting, owner deliverables and broader project requirements. It also provided insight into equipment, logistics, sequencing and coordination across heavy civil operations.
The Civil Engineering Industry-Faculty Engagement Program was launched as a Summer 2026 pilot through a partnership between the American Society of Civil Engineers and The Beavers. The paid program places university faculty members in industry positions to provide direct exposure to current construction practices and expectations.
Tummalapudi plans to incorporate the experience into Heavy Civil Construction and Advanced Construction Operations courses at Fresno State. Areas of emphasis will include communication, meeting preparation, requests for information, submittals, project relationships, accountability and leadership.
The program also gave Tummalapudi an opportunity to observe student interns working on active projects. The experience provided additional insight into the technical and professional skills students need as they transition into construction careers.
For heavy civil contractors and owners, stronger industry-university relationships can help align engineering education with the practical requirements of project delivery. Faculty exposure to current field operations can also give students a more direct understanding of scheduling, cost management, safety, documentation and coordination before entering the workforce.
FlatironDragados' participation demonstrates one approach to connecting academic instruction with active construction practices while developing relationships with institutions preparing future civil engineering professionals.
Source: Flatiron Dragados.
