Dear SEAOI Members, 

Mid-August always invokes a sense of newness – a fresh start. A new school year, new classes, new teachers, new school supplies, new clothes and shoes, a new hairstyle, maybe a new apartment. Fifteen years ago, I was just beginning my new career, but it was the first time since I was 5 years old that I wouldn’t be returning to school after the summer. When that realization hit me, I was sad. No, let’s be honest – I was devasted. I LOVED school. I always have, and just three months earlier, I graduated from UIUC after spending the previous six years with the same group of students and professors in the same two buildings on the South Quad. I cherished the community that I had made, and it was going to be hard to start over. 

Or so I thought. Rebuilding that community with my colleagues and with SEAOI was actually really easy. And so, I invite you to be part of that community too. Come join SEAOI at our annual summer happy hour “Committees & Cocktails” on Tuesday, August 25^th at South Branch on the river. Thanks to the generous support of AISC, the event is free for members and non-members. While we’ll be celebrating SEAOI’s upcoming program year, representatives for all SEAOI committees will be on hand throughout the evening. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to serve on a committee, or which one might be the right fit for you, this is your chance to ask questions, hear firsthand experience, and meet the people already doing the work. Whether you're drawn to mentorship and networking with the Young Engineers Committee (YEC), passionate about advancing women in the field through WiSE, invested in equity and inclusion with our EDI Committee, interested in shaping policy through Government Affairs/SEPAC, or curious about Building Codes, Continuing Education, Sponsorship, Symposiums, or Dinner Meetings – there's a seat at the table for you. 

Just a week later, we kick off our annual dinner meetings program with the September Dinner Meeting at the famed Cliff Dwellers Club on Tuesday, September 1^st. David Odeh, a Senior VP and National Director of Building Structures at WSP will be presenting on “Future Ready Structures – A Call to Action” where he’ll discuss the need for new tools to create economical and adaptable designs for an unpredictable future world. The deadline for in-person registration is August 28^th. 

Finally, the best way to strengthen your community is by getting to know the people in it. The SEAOI Member Spotlight is intended to highlight some of the fun and interesting things that aren’t included in your professional bio, like when did you know you wanted to be an SE, and what advice would you give to your younger self, and what do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment. A different SEAOI member will be highlighted each week in our Tuesday Update email. I can’t wait to learn more about each of you! 

With purpose,

Michelle Ryland, SE, RA

SEAOI President

Dear SEAOI Members,

I am honored and excited to begin my term as SEAOI President. Thank you for entrusting me with this role.

First, I want to take this opportunity to recognize a few individuals. Thank you to outgoing President Jim Pawlikowski for leading SEAOI through another successful year. I look forward to building upon those accomplishments this year. Thank you to Maen Farhat, Frank Lombardo, and David Nauheimer who have completed their 3-year terms as Directors. Special appreciation goes to Jennie Traut-Todaro who has fulfilled her year as past-president and has transitioned off the executive board. Jennie has served SEAOI in numerous roles over the past decade+ and we’re incredibly grateful for her dedication.

If you were able to join us at our Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards Celebration in early June, you were the first to hear about the official launch of the SEAOI College of Fellows. This is our highest honor, recognizing members who have demonstrated extraordinary achievement and distinguished service to the structural engineering profession. Nominations are now open and will be accepted until mid-January 2027. Our inaugural class of Fellows will be inducted at next year’s Awards Celebration.

One of my goals during my year as president is to do a better job of spotlighting our members and our volunteers. There are over 700 of you and I want to learn about you all. What’s your story? When did you know you wanted to become a structural engineer? How long have you been in the profession? What’s your favorite project that you’ve worked on? What advice would you give your younger self? If you’re a younger engineer, I want to know what advice you would give to a senior engineer, and vice versa. Why are you a member of SEAOI?

I’ll start. I knew I wanted to become a structural engineer during my junior year of architecture school at UIUC, ironically, after watching a grainy video of the controlled demolition of Seattle’s Kingdome during Statics & Dynamics class one day. My favorite project thus far is the Shedd Aquarium Experience Evolution. Fifteen years into my career, my advice to younger Michelle is “Don’t get so lost in the details that you lose sight of the big picture.” I think that advice is appropriate for projects, volunteer work, and life in general.

I’d love to learn more about you and I invite you to participate by filling out this form here. Pick one or two or more questions to briefly respond to. Every week in our Tuesday Update emails, we will spotlight a new individual. While this gives me a chance to learn about you, it also gives you an opportunity to learn about each other.

Finally, in recognition of America’s 250^th birthday, we remember the generations of structural engineers whose work literally helped build America. It is a legacy I am proud to inherit with all of you and one that we have the privilege and responsibility to carry forward with excellence and integrity.

In service,

Michelle Ryland, SE, RA

SEAOI President

Hello SEAOI Members, As we enter into the new year, I wanted to take a minute to talk about the opportunities ahead of us in 2026. We as a profession continue to do great things. It’s an ever-changing profession, which is one of the things I like most about it. Every one of our projects is an exploration into how we do things, thinking about previous solutions so that this time we can do one better. In this way we are always looking to advance our profession. Our organization’s purpose is essentially to advance our profession. We look to accomplish this by serving our professional community. We’re an advocate and voice for our members in efforts to shape policy, such as the recent NCEES exam changes. We’re a resource for our members in their efforts to grow in the profession, through the multitude of events we organize – both online and in-person. We also try to bring us all closer together as a community. There are so many incredible in-person events that SEAOI sponsors – dinner meetings, happy hours, symposia – which are all great opportunities to network, grow as professionals, and hopefully build some relationships and have a good time while you’re at it. The beginning of the year is a time of goal setting, and resolutions. My challenge to everyone is to be involved in your profession in 2026 and thereby help to advance it. This was a challenge my mentor gave me 25 years ago, and I often think about how much more rewarding my career has been because of it. I’ve made connections and friends, expanded my knowledge base, and grown as an individual and professional. We have such a vibrant and active professional community here, truly unlike anywhere else, and I encourage everyone to take advantage of it. Being involved means something different to every one of us. It can be something as simple as trying out a dinner meeting for the first time, or something more involved like volunteering your time. SEAOI can be a resource to help you figure out what your involvement wants to be. This isn’t meant to be a push to get involved in SEAOI (although it would be great if everyone did) but rather, a push just to get involved, and to highlight that SEAOI can help. For those of you interested in attending events, you can visit our website to see what the upcoming offerings are. For those of you interested in participating or helping out, please reach out to anyone of us at SEAOI – we always have a need for help, and opportunities to become as little or as much involved as you would like. These opportunities include efforts outside of SEAOI as well. One that I would like to highlight is interacting with the next generation and helping to inspire future engineers. We have chapters at local universities, and we also help with student organizations and events focused on younger students – high-school and even earlier. These events are always looking for professionals to attend and engage with the students. We need to be encouraging young people and students to be entering into our profession – this is ultimately how we ensure we are advancing our profession, by bringing talented, passionate people into it. Your efforts are critical in this endeavor and can be as simple as talking to a student. This is a passion of mine, and being on the faculty at UIUC gives me a vehicle to interact with students. I find that conversing with students always has a way of giving me a fresh outlook, a sort of recharging the batteries – I feel I get as much out of this interaction as the students do. I hope that my message helps encourage you to try something different in 2026. For those of you who haven’t gotten involved yet, try something out. For those of you who have dipped your toes in the water, try going in waist deep. We as an organization are here to serve you. If you have any suggestions for how we can better serve you and the community, or any questions for us, please reach out to myself or the board, or Stephanie and her staff. I wish everyone a productive and rewarding 2026! Jim Pawlikowski, SE, LEED, AP  President, Structural Engineers Association of Illinois

Dear SEAOI Members,

As my term as SEAOI President comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible year we've had together. This past year has been one of progress, collaboration, and meaningful engagement across our membership—and I am deeply proud of all we've accomplished.

One of the most impactful areas of progress was our collective advocacy and coordination around the CBT (Computer-Based Testing) format of the SE exam. Through collaboration with members, committee leaders, and partner organizations, we raised key concerns, submitted thoughtful feedback, and opened a much-needed dialogue with NCEES. While there's still work ahead, I'm encouraged by the traction we’ve made and the momentum we’ve built to ensure that the exam continues to fairly and accurately assess the depth of knowledge our profession demands.

I'm also incredibly excited to welcome our incoming board members—Stephanie Hautzinger, SE, PE, AIA, LEEP AP, Adam Dasoqi PE, SE, CxA, BECxP, LEED GA, and Michael Fornek, SE, PE, LEED AP. Each brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective, along with fresh ideas and contagious energy. I have no doubt they will carry forward the mission of SEAOI with creativity and passion, and I can’t wait to see the initiatives they help lead.

This year, we also launched the SEAOI Engagement Challenge to inspire members to connect with the organization and each other in new ways. From volunteering and mentoring to sharing professional goals and celebrating each other's accomplishments, members across the state stepped up and got involved. The challenge sparked conversations, strengthened connections, and reinforced the value of staying active in our professional community.

Serving as President of SEAOI has been an honor I’ll always cherish. To our members, our staff, our volunteers, and my fellow board members—thank you for your trust, your enthusiasm, and your shared belief in the strength of this community.

The future is bright, and SEAOI is in good hands.

With deep gratitude,

Jennie Traut-Todaro SE, LEED AP
President, Structural Engineers Association of Illinois

Dear SEAOI Members,

As engineers, we build structures that shape skylines and support communities—but perhaps one of the most lasting legacies we can leave is the time we invest in the next generation.

With college graduations kicking off this month, SEAOI May Engagement Challenge invites you to mentor a student or young professional in our field. Whether it’s offering career advice over coffee, reviewing a résumé, helping someone prep for the SE Exam, or simply sharing what you wish you’d known when you started out—your guidance can make a world of difference. 

In perfect timing, we’re excited to announce the reboot of SEAOI’s Mutual Mentorship Program this fall! This refreshed initiative connects members across experience levels for meaningful, two-way mentorship. Who is this for? Seasoned professionals, mid-career engineers, and those just starting out all have something valuable to share—and something new to learn.

Unlike traditional top-down mentoring, our mutual mentorship model recognizes that every engineer brings a unique perspective. You might be mentoring a student one week and gaining fresh insight from a younger colleague the next. It's about building relationships that grow both ways.

How to Get Involved:

• Indicate your interest in participating in the Mutual Mentorship Program here.
• Share your mentorship story on social media and tag #SEAOIEngagementChallenge.

While signing up for SEAOI’s Mutual Mentorship program might be an obvious option, mentorship doesn’t have to be a long-term commitment. Even a single conversation can spark confidence, open doors, and plant seeds for a fulfilling career. If you're not sure where to start, reach out to a local university, offer support to someone in your network, or connect with SEAOI’s student outreach and YEC programs.

Let’s take the time to lift others as we climb. You never know—the student you mentor today might be your colleague, collaborator, or even your future boss someday.

NCEES CBT Exam Update

SEAOI was recently made aware of a new development. Reported initially by the  Board of Registration for Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors (BRPELS) and then confirmed by the Illinois State Structural Engineering Licensing Board, an additional hour will be added to the depth exams starting in Spring 2026.

“PE Structural Engineering Depth sections—The total time for PE Structural Engineering Vertical Depth and Lateral Depth sections will become 6.5 hours. This adds 60 minutes of exam time and includes a tutorial and a scheduled break. Updated specifications will be posted on the NCEES website in October 2025.”

Our understanding is that this has not been reported to candidates currently enrolled for the Fall exam dates, so we would encourage you to share this information through your networks.

Please continue your own advocacy through state licensing boards as well as reporting specific issues with the exam(s) to NCEES through your candidate portal.

Thank you and enjoy these last days of spring before the busy of days of summer descend.

Sincerely,

Jennie Traut-Todaro SE, LEED AP
President, Structural Engineers Association of Illinois

Dear SEAOI Members,

Spring is here, and with it comes new opportunities to engage, give back, and advocate for the profession. This month, we are highlighting two important initiatives: our April Engagement Challenge focused on community service and an update on the ongoing discussions surrounding the NCEES CBT Exam format.

April Engagement Challenge: Community Service

Structural engineers have a unique ability to impact communities, not just through our work but through direct service. This month’s Engagement Challenge encourages you to participate in a community service project and share your experience. Whether volunteering with a STEM outreach program like Engineering Fest or assisting with Rebuilding Together, every effort makes a difference.

Once you’ve completed your service, we’d love to hear about it! Share your experience on LinkedIn or other social platforms, tag SEAOI, and inspire others to contribute. Let’s showcase the ways engineers give back beyond the drawing board.

NCEES CBT Exam Discussion – SE3 Read.Watch.Listen Event

Many of you have expressed concerns regarding the transition to the Computer-Based Testing (CBT) format for the SE exam, particularly the vertical depth section. SEAOI has been actively engaged in discussions about how these changes affect licensure, and we continue to advocate for fair and effective testing.

To further this conversation, NCSEA SE3 is promoting a Read.Watch.Listen discussion on the topic of licensure. This is an important opportunity to stay informed, share concerns, and engage with industry leaders on the future of SE licensing. A link will be shared soon—stay tuned!

Thank you for your continued engagement with SEAOI. Let’s make this a month of service and advocacy!

Jennie Traut-Todaro SE, LEED AP
President, Structural Engineers Association of Illinois

Dear SEAOI Members,

As we march through March, I am continually inspired by the dedication and enthusiasm of our community. Your contributions help shape SEAOI into a dynamic and supportive organization, and we are always looking for ways to serve you better.

That’s why this month’s Engagement Challenge is Share Your Ideas. We want to hear from you! Do you have suggestions for future SEAOI activities, events, or initiatives? Whether it’s a professional development workshop, a networking opportunity, or a new way to support our members, your ideas are invaluable. By sharing your thoughts, you play an active role in shaping the future of our organization. Submit your ideas by emailing us at staff@seaoi.org, and let’s build a stronger SEAOI together.

Thank you for your continued engagement and support. I look forward to seeing the creative and impactful ideas you bring forward this month!

With appreciation,

Jennie Traut-Todaro SE, LEED AP
President, Structural Engineers Association of Illinois

Dear SEAOI Members, As we move forward into February, I’d like to take a moment to update you on the progress of our efforts regarding the NCEES CBT Exam feedback. Over the past few months, we have been actively engaging with NCEES and the State of Illinois Licensing Board to address concerns about the new exam. Our feedback has been acknowledged in a response letter from NCEES. Additionally, we requested that the topic be added to the last State of Illinois Licensing Board Meeting of 2024. A group of SEAOI leaders attended the meeting in early December where Mr. Dekle of NCEES also joined and addressed our concerns in an open discussion.  We offered our support to NCEES as they continue to slowly work through the unique challenges of our licensing exam. We also offered our support to the Illinois Licensing Board as they proceed to advocate for us. We attended the January Board Meeting and learned that Illinois is scheduled to meet with the nine other state boards that have a structural designation and NCEES at the end of February. Thank you to everyone who has contributed their insights and experiences—it is through collective advocacy that we make meaningful change. In addition to our work on this important issue, I’m excited to introduce this month’s Engagement Challenge: Share a Success Story. We encourage you to submit a story about a project or achievement you’re proud of. Whether it’s a personal accomplishment, a breakthrough on a challenging project, or recognition of a colleague’s excellence, we want to celebrate the successes that make our profession stronger. Stories should be shared through your social media outlets using #SEAOIEngagement. Your engagement and contributions continue to inspire and strengthen our community. I look forward to seeing the incredible achievements you share this month and to continuing our work together to advance structural engineering. With appreciation and excitement for the road ahead, Jennie Traut-Todaro SE, LEED AP President, Structural Engineers Association of Illinois

The January edition (here) highlights the importance of data collection for DEI efforts.

The December edition (here) incorporates both a Year in Review and The Season of Giving!