Spotlight of Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty
In honor of International Women's Day, we wanted to take the opportunity to feature a few of our inspiring faculty members in the Charles E. Via, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Holly Casey, Assistant Professor of Practice
I've always loved problem-solving and building things, even from a young age. I was drawn to understanding how things work and improving them. I was fortunate to attend a high school with a strong STEM program, which reinforced my interest and encouraged me to pursue engineering as a career. Civil Engineering was an attractive major to me because I loved how tangible it was and felt that there was no better way to serve my community than to be a part of designing the infrastructure that the public uses every day.
Were there any role models or mentors who influenced your path?
Absolutely! I’ve been fortunate to have had many great mentors throughout my career journey, including past professors, successful female engineers in industry, and supportive male colleagues who consistently supported and believed in me. Even now, I consider myself lucky to be surrounded by an amazing group of faculty colleagues whom I consider both friends and mentors.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in becoming an engineer and how did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges that stands out to me was not being admitted to the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech when I first applied out of high school. I had to work hard to prove—to both myself and the university—that I deserved to be there. Through perseverance, dedication, and a commitment to improving my skills, I was able to earn my place and graduate as a CEE Hokie!
Can you share a memorable moment in your career that made you feel proud?
One of the most rewarding moments was returning to Virginia Tech as an Assistant Professor of Practice in 2022. It felt like coming full circle—from facing challenges as a student, to gaining valuable real-world experience working in industry, and now guiding and inspiring the next generation of engineers. Another proud achievement was earning my Professional Engineer (PE) license. Becoming a PE was a significant and memorable milestone that validated my expertise and many years of hard work.
What advice would you give to young girls considering a career in engineering?
Engineering needs all kinds of people, and it’s a field that blends technical skills with creativity in amazing ways. Engineering allows you to make a real impact on the world, and it’s a career that constantly pushes you to learn and grow. If you're passionate about problem-solving and making a difference, there's a place for you! Believe in yourself and surround yourself with good people - mentors and colleagues that will lift you up and support your goals and success.
Monica Arul, Assistant Professor
What inspired you to pursue engineering?
Growing up in a household with both parents as civil engineers naturally influenced my path. Their work and discussions about engineering nurtured my interest from an early age. During my senior year of high school, I won an essay contest titled "My Dream for My City," where I envisioned transforming my city's infrastructure. That experience reaffirmed that civil engineering was my true passion, and I chose it as my career path.
Were there any role models or mentors who influenced your path?
My mother always encouraged me to pursue whatever level of education I desired and never to shy away from STEM fields despite traditional gender stereotypes. While I didn’t have many female role models during my undergraduate studies, one person had a profound impact on me during my PhD at the University Notre Dame: Dr. Tracy Kijewski-Correa. Dr. KC (as we fondly called her) is an accomplished researcher and leader, currently serving as the William J. Pulte Director of the Institute for Global Development and as a Professor of Civil Engineering. She was also a member of my PhD committee. She was a force of nature— she wore many hats and excelled in them all. Every time I saw her, I thought, I want to be like her one day. She showed me what was possible, and her influence played a significant role in shaping the engineer, educator, and mentor I am today.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in becoming an engineer, and how did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges I faced was overcoming the bias and skepticism about my technical abilities as a woman in engineering. I often had my coding and mathematical skills questioned—there were times when my solutions or the algorithms I developed were scrutinized, as if I couldn’t have built them on my own. It felt like I had to constantly prove myself capable. I overcame these challenges by persisting and letting my work do the talking.
Can you share a memorable moment in your career that made you feel proud?
The year 2022 was an incredibly defining moment in my life and career. In that one year: I graduated with a dual Master’s & PhD in Civil Engineering, I received the Eli J. and Helen Shaheen Outstanding Doctoral Student Award—an honor last received by a civil engineering student nearly 20 years ago (by none other than my role model, Dr. KC), I won an international data science competition, I secured a faculty position at Virginia Tech, and I also became a mother. I am proud that I was able to juggle my responsibilities as a mother, wife, researcher, teacher, and mentor, and to this day, I take pride in balancing these roles while staying true to my passion for civil engineering.
What advice would you give to young girls considering a career in engineering?
"If you can see us, you can be us."
It’s so important to find a mentor or role model early on. Having someone to guide and inspire you can make all the difference. Don’t let stereotypes or biases dictate your career choices. Engineering needs diverse voices and you belong here just as much as anyone else. As my father always says: "Life isn’t defined by the ‘because ofs’—the circumstances that made things easier—but by the ‘despite ofs’—the obstacles you overcame to succeed." Set your sight on your goals and keep pushing forward, despite everything that stands in your way.
Andrea Dietrich, Professor
My ability to learn and succeed in engineering, math, and science began when I was a child. I was exceptionally fortunate that my parents valued education and treasured me and my four siblings. When I expressed interest in math and science in elementary school, I was encouraged by my family and teachers to “go for it”. My mother both read to her children and encouraged us to read - there were all kinds of books and magazines throughout the house. As my father was an engineer, our house was full of tools which everyone had access to and used. Likewise, the kitchen was open access for everyone to use utensils, cookware, and food supplies to explore recipes. Unstructured time, curiosity, hands-on learning, and responsibility were the norms in my household. Fortuitously, my public-school education connected me with many capable girls and young women who were my friends. We encouraged each other and eventually became successful engineers, scientists, and lawyers. Growing up and interacting with smart and supportive girls/young women drastically improved my success and confidence.
Many great teachers and professors – from elementary school through university – influenced my learning and success. My middle and high school years were dotted with experienced instructors who had a first careers as scientists and second careers as educators, thus providing a blend of practical and theoretical. My Ph.D. advisor was an awesome woman who supported my intellectual, professional, and personal choices.
My past challenges, and my future advice, are intrinsically connected. To be a successful woman as an engineer or professional requires: confidence in oneself; perseverance; willingness to explore and work to develop a fundamental and secure knowledge of the field; connections to people that support you professionally and personally; a sense of satisfaction and pride in both day-to-day work and major accomplishments; willingness to accept and learn from failures; and especially a fun and rewarding life outside of work.