Each week, the College of Engineering features an outstanding member of the engineering community to be part of our spotlight campaign. This week, we are highlighting civil engineering senior and Cal Poly Steel Bridge project manager McKinley Weatherford.
What made you choose engineering?
I chose engineering because I enjoy problem-solving, and civil engineering allows me to apply those skills to help create safe, sustainable infrastructure for my community.
What was your earliest engineering project?
During my second quarter at Cal Poly, I worked as a student researcher on the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department’s Delta Digitization Project. During my time with the team, I analyzed 42 years’ worth of tidal records to assess and better understand past and future sea level trends.
Where do you like to hang out on campus?
You will likely find me in the courtyard of Building 13.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy baking, hiking and thrifting.
What has been your favorite class and why?
Outside of my major, I enjoyed BRAE 239 (Surveying) because I had a great lab group and appreciated being outside for lab. Within my major, I have especially enjoyed transportation courses, such as CE 421 (Traffic Engineering), as well as lab-based classes like CE 355, where we designed and tested concrete beams.
What is an engineering project you’re working on or have recently worked on?
Most of my time is dedicated to my senior project, Cal Poly Steel Bridge. We will be competing at California State University, Los Angeles, on March 30. Our goal is to achieve 0.6 inches of aggregate deflection and the fastest construction time at regionals. Our faculty adviser is Professor Eric Kasper. This project would not be possible without the support of the Cal Poly machine shops, our general members and our exceptional senior captains. The competition provides hands-on experience in structural design, fabrication, teamwork and project management while representing Cal Poly at the regional and national levels.
Tell me about the Steel Bridge Competition and your role in it.
I am the project manager for Cal Poly Steel Bridge. I facilitate the design, fabrication and construction of a scale-model bridge that competes against teams from other universities. I manage team operations and fundraising efforts, oversee club outreach initiatives and am certified to operate advanced machinery in the shop.
What’s your dream job after graduation?
My dream job is to work in the transportation sector designing roads, bridges or mass transit systems. This could range from retrofitting bridges for seismic resilience to contributing to large-scale projects such as high-speed rail.
What is your favorite place in San Luis Obispo County and why?
In San Luis Obispo County, I love going to Avila Beach, kayaking in Morro Bay and hiking Madonna Mountain.
What do you think engineering’s biggest impact on the world will be in the future?
I think the critical thinking and technical skills gained at Cal Poly can help address challenges such as climate change and aging infrastructure. I believe engineering has the capability to create more efficient, resilient and sustainable systems for our communities.
Are you part of any extracurriculars on or off campus?
In addition to my coursework and my job at the Performing Arts Center, I serve as an officer for Cal Poly’s Society of Civil Engineers and as project manager for Cal Poly Steel Bridge.
Will you share your internship experience?
Two summers ago, I interned with Consor, where I assisted with roadway corridor design, bridge and roadway rehabilitation and emergency infrastructure reconstruction. Last summer at HNTB, I helped develop utility protection measures for Brightline West, a high-speed passenger rail). At both firms, I helped prepare project plans, quantity takeoffs and estimate documents for PS&E package submittals while strengthening my skills in AutoCAD, Civil3D, MicroStation and Bluebeam.
Why did you choose to attend Cal Poly, and what was the path that brought you here?
I chose Cal Poly because of its nationally ranked civil engineering program, smaller class sizes and the opportunity to live on the Central Coast. I also wanted a place where I could work and learn alongside supportive and kind people — something I sensed would be part of the experience when I was deciding where to enroll.
How do you support the college’s commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion?
I believe respectful, supportive environments make teams stronger. In group projects and student events, I work to foster that kind of environment.
By Taylor Villanueva
