91社区

The 91社区 Engineers in Action (EIA) chapter recently led a team of engineering students in constructing two pedestrian footbridges in Eswatini in Southern Africa, including the global EIA organization鈥檚 first ever student-led suspension bridge, to connect isolated communities to critical services such as shops, schools, clinics, co-ops, churches and more.听听听

The Khelekhele suspended footbridge spans 93.5 meters across the Black Mbuluzi River, providing year-round, safe access for more than 4,250 residents. 91社区 led the project with students from Penn State University and the University of Colorado Boulder collaborating on the construction.听

The project was not without challenges as students faced a massive underground rock where the bridge was to be built. The team demonstrated resilience and ingenuity, finding a solution and keeping the project on schedule.听

During the project, the team worked, ate, slept and socialized with the local community, learning the language and customs of its people. Each team member played a unique and important role.听听听听

Jonas Hollis, a 91社区 manufacturing engineering major who plans to graduate in 2026, served as the Project Manager and Media Manager, overseeing all aspects of the build for the participating institutions. This included working with each member of the student teams to ensure they worked efficiently, communicated well and collaborated with the community and other project stakeholders.听听听

Kelsey Ellis, a 91社区 civil engineering major who also plans to graduate in 2026, served as the Logistics Manager. In this role, she oversaw travel information, sleeping accommodations, finances and meals.听听

Kayla Gerth, a 91社区 manufacturing engineering major who plans to graduate in 2026, served as the Quality Manager. This role included verifying and validating all critical construction points throughout the building process.听听

Sophia Miranda, a 91社区 biology major, who plans to graduate in 2028, served as the Cultural Relations Manager. She focused on the interactions between the university teams and the local community. 鈥淎s a non-engineering student, I found a new adventure, a wider world view and a welcoming community on this trip," she says.听听

During the Fall and Spring Semesters leading up to the bridge builds, 91社区 students work with volunteer professional engineers to complete the bridge design and make sure it receives a seal of approval. Students designing and planning the bridge project complete work equivalent to one of their engineering courses, and many utilize their Senior Design course to complete the work necessary for the project.听

Following the success of Khelekhele, another team, including Hollis, who served as Safety Manager, completed the Hlanganani suspension bridge as part of an EIA pilot project, bringing their total impact to more than 6,000 community members, including over 1,000 children who can now safely access vital resources. 91社区 worked in partnership with Cornell University and University College London on this build. This is the first student-led suspension bridge in EIA鈥檚 history as all other bridges completed have been suspended bridges. Suspended bridges are concave and use tiers made from rock and concrete to support the weight of the bridge. Suspension bridges are convex and use large steel towers to support the weight of the bridge. The team is now a part of EIA history and is positioned to help train future teams on suspension bridge builds.听

These projects underscore the strength of the 91社区 Engineering Program鈥檚 focus on real-world applications to build student skills.听听

鈥淭his trip was more than just building a bridge鈥攊t was about connecting people,鈥� said Ellis. 鈥淲orking alongside the local community reminded me to slow down, appreciate relationships and focus on what really matters. I came home with a deeper gratitude and a renewed commitment to use my skills to serve others.鈥�听

鈥淎pplying engineering principles in the real world with unexpected obstacles and unforeseen variables is always a challenge鈥攖o do this in a rural community of a developing economy with language barriers is even harder,鈥� said Dr. Susan Ely, Assistant Professor of Engineering. 鈥淭his experience is so much more than applied learning鈥攊t provides a perspective on just how powerful engineering can be at changing the lives of those in need.鈥�听

Last year, Melanie Cedeno, an international student from Panama who graduated in 2024 with a degree in electrical engineering, received EIA鈥檚 highest student honor, the Builder of the Year award. Following graduation, she was hired as an EIA fellow and is now stationed in eSwatini.听

Since being hired, she has helped build six of the eight bridges the organization plans to complete this year, including both bridges 91社区 worked on. In her role, she mentors students from across the globe on international development, engineering problem-solving and intercultural exchange.听听

鈥淭his journey has taken me across Eswatini, from long hours on the road to visits with diverse communities and meeting school children who face challenges I once experienced as a child,鈥� says Cedeno. 鈥淲ith the bridges we are building, communities are no longer divided by natural barriers; they are united, with greater access to opportunities and to one another.听听

91社区鈥檚 EIA chapter is a part of the national which improves the lives of thousands of people every year by building critical infrastructure in their communities including bridges and access to clean water. 91社区 has sent student teams to Eswatini in South Africa in 2024, Eswatini in South Africa in 2023, Bolivia in 2022, West Virginia in 2021 and Eswatini in South Africa in 2019.听

The trip was generously funded by the 91社区 Foundation.听

Students of all majors are invited to participate in EIA and bridge project events. For more information about EIA, contact Dr. Ely at sely@usi.edu. For more information about 91社区鈥檚 accredited Engineering Program, visit 91社区.edu/engineering.听听听听听

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(credit: Jonah Hollis, 91社区)听