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Undergraduate Student Life

Course 1 students are very engaged beyond the classroom as well, and the department sponsors student groups, activities, and competitions to promote community, foster relationships, and provide opportunities to apply the skills learned to real world problems in a very hands-on way.

CEESA

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Student Chapter at MIT, known as CEESA (Civil and Environmental Engineering Student Association), strives to uphold the values of excellence in academic and professional environments. Through service projects, educational programs, and social functions, CEESA aims to foster a vibrant and supportive community that enables every student to reach his or her highest potential. Contact CEESA at: ceesa-exec@mit.edu

The CEESA Leadership Team is:

Catherine Lu | President & Treasurer
Cat is a junior in the Environment track with a minor in computer science, with interests in water resources + pollution and environmental justice. Her favorite experience so far has been TREX, from making new friends to being able to fly a drone near a volcano! Besides CEESA, she is also involved with UA Sustain and MIT’s Asian American Initiative. Outside of school, Cat enjoys traveling, painting, playing soccer, and rock climbing.

Karissa Wenger  | Professional Networking & Faculty Liaison
Karissa is a junior in the Mechanics & Materials track and is pursuing a minor in Spanish, with interests in structural engineering and sustainable design. Her favorite experiences in Course 1 so far have included attending the annual Halloween party, participating in a Mini-UROP studying public transportation, and building a wall out of reused concrete as part of 1.102! Besides CEESA, she is involved in Terrascope, Cru, and Girl’s Angle. Outside of school, Karissa enjoys hiking, reading, knitting, and traveling.

Vivian Cheng  | Professional Networking & Faculty Liaison
Vivian is a junior in the Systems Engineering track with a minor in computer science, interested in transportation and sustainable development. Within CEE, her favorite experiences have been participating in and mentoring for the Discover Course 1 FPOP, as well as mini-UROPing at the Materials Systems Lab. Besides CEESA, she is also involved in Engineers Without Borders, Asian American Initiative and Women’s Volleyball Club. Outside of school, she enjoys crocheting, bullet journaling, reading, watching silent vlogs, and traveling.

Karen Li | Social Chair
Karen is a sophomore in the Systems Engineering track, interested in transportation, supply chain management, and risk modeling. Her favorite Course 1 experiences have been attending the annual CEE Holiday Party, learning to skate at CEE Ice Skating hosted by CEESA, simulating traffic models in Professor Wu’s 1.041 class, and UROPing at the MIT Data Science Lab. Besides CEESA, she is involved in MIT Sandbox, TAMID Business Group, and Christian fellowships on campus. Outside of school, Karen enjoys experimenting with 2-minute recipes, jigsaw puzzling, and traveling.

Professor Admir Masic | CEESA Faculty Advisor
Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Discover some of the social events organized by CEESA, view photo album

Chi Epsilon

The Chi Epsilon Student Chapter is another active student group within the department. The students participating in this chapter are involved in:
  • Providing additional academic help to students who request individual tutoring.
  • Attending the bi-annual Chi Epsilon National Conclave.
  • Inviting speakers on topics related to civil and environmental engineering.
  • Holding an initiation banquet for new members.

Chi Epsilon is also represented at the CEE Open Houses where they provide information to students about CEE student life, the academic program, and Chi Epsilon activities.