Styslinger College of Engineering Hosts 2026 ASCE Gulf Coast Student Symposium

The Lee J. Styslinger Jr. College of Engineering, in partnership with the University of Alabama at Birmingham, hosted the 2026 American Society of Civil Engineers Gulf Coast Student Symposium March 12-14 in Tuscaloosa, bringing together approximately 600 students, faculty and industry professionals from 15 universities.

The three-day event featured more than 16 competitions, networking opportunities and professional development activities, highlighting the innovation and collaboration of the next generation of civil engineers.

The symposium was entirely student-run, with approximately 15 students leading its planning and execution.

“Planning the symposium was an enormous challenge, but it was incredibly rewarding to see everything come together,” said Grace Vaughan, chair of the 2026 symposium. “This was a fully student-run event, and our team put in hundreds of hours to make it a success.”

“One of the biggest highlights for me was the level of student involvement,” Vaughan said. “I had the privilege of leading an amazing team, and I truly could not have done it without them.”

Supported by more than 150 judges, volunteers, and college faculty and staff, the event also created opportunities for students to connect with industry professionals and peers across the region.

“This symposium brought together students, faculty and industry professionals in a meaningful way, creating opportunities for networking, collaboration and future careers,” Vaughan said.

One of the weekend’s major highlights was The University of Alabama’s Concrete Canoe team earning first place overall, marking the first time the team has achieved this distinction and advancing to the national competition in June.

Dr. Robert Bertini, head of the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, said the symposium received a positive response from attendees.

“We heard great feedback from all our visitors from across the region and from ASCE leadership,” Bertini said. “We’re incredibly proud of everyone who participated.”

The ASCE Gulf Coast Student Symposium continues to provide students with opportunities to showcase their skills, gain hands-on experience and build connections that support their future careers.

For more information about the symposium, visit the official website.