(Editor’s note: a Gwinnett resident is the new president of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Here’s what she writes about this long-standing organization.-eeb).
By Marsha Bomar
DULUTH, Ga. | The American Society of Civil Engineers is a 173-year-old membership society of professionals who plan, design, build, construct and operate all forms of infrastructure. With more than 160,000 members in 177 countries, individuals work in the public, private, non-profit and academic arenas.
Together with staff, members produce many codes and standards that promote health, safety and public welfare in the built environment. Technical content is developed through nine technical institutes, covering architecture-engineering, geotechnical, environment and water resources, transportation and development, utility engineering and surveying, coastal/ocean/ports/rivers, engineering mechanics, structural engineering, and construction.
The Center for Technical Advancement houses the committees that deal with resilience, sustainability, forensics and other cross-cutting topics. ASCE is most well-known in the advocacy arena for The Report Card on America’s Infrastructure which was instrumental in the passage of the Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Law known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Activities of the organization include supporting Sections and Branches across North America and around the world. In Georgia, there are four branches: Northeast, South Metro, South Georgia and Savannah. In 2024, the Georgia Section produced an Infrastructure Report Card. Monthly meetings feature speakers on topics related to all of the infrastructure projects and programs around the state.
Dedicated volunteers work on technical matters, but also provide tremendous support for STEM outreach (k-12) as well as College clubs and chapters. Students participate in many local activities but also have the chance to compete in Student Symposia. Events at the symposia include Concrete Canoe Races, Steel Bridge building, Timber Strong home building, Sustainable Solutions and much more. In the 2025 competition season, more than 10,000 students participated, including those from the U.S., Canada, China, India and Mexico.
The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) is part of the National Academies of Science Engineering and Medicine. NAE was formed in 1964 to formalize the engineering leadership in the nation, as part of the legacy with the National Academy of Sciences established in 1863 by an Act of Congress, signed by President Lincoln, as a private, nongovernmental institution to advise the government on issues related to science and technology. Members are called upon to provide their expertise in a non-partisan, objective and independent manner to inform discussions of national importance. The work also includes informing the public about the important contributions of engineering. The Academy also promotes STEM education through their programs Engineer Girl and Engineer Teen.
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