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

Dear SEAOI Members,

Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, I hope you’re feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to take on new challenges. The start of a new year always brings opportunities to reflect, reset, and reimagine what’s possible — and I’m thrilled to embark on this journey with all of you.

This January, we’re kicking off the year with our Engagement Challenge: New Year, New Goals. We invite you to set and share your professional goals for the year ahead. Whether it’s pursuing licensure, expanding your technical expertise, spending time sharing your excitement for engineering with young people, or mentoring the next generation of engineers, there’s no better time to commit to growth and celebrate progress together. Share your goals with us on social media using #SEAOIEngagement and tagging the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois.

As for me, my goal for 2025 is to make engagement and volunteer opportunities more accessible to SEAOI members. To support this goal, I’m excited to announce two key initiatives:

• The Strength in Service Series: This new program highlights the diverse ways SEAOI members contribute to their communities and profession, offering inspiration and guidance for those seeking involvement. Register for the first free lunchtime Q&A HERE

• Reboot the Mutual Mentorship Program: Building on the success of our 2021 program, we’re bringing back this initiative to foster meaningful connections among engineers at all stages of their careers. We are currently seeking four engineers at different levels of their careers who are passionate about mentorship to help lead this effort. If you’re interested in shaping this impactful program, please reach out to us at office@seaoi.org.

Together, let’s make 2025 a year of growth, collaboration, and achievement. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish as a community. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to SEAOI and to our shared mission of advancing structural engineering.

Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!

Jennie Traut-Todaro SE, LEED AP

President, Structural Engineers Association of Illinois

Dear SEAOI Members,

As we approach the end of another remarkable year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible work we have achieved together as a community.

Your commitment to advancing structural engineering, supporting each other, and building a better world inspires me daily. I hope this season brings you opportunities to relax, celebrate, and spend quality time with your loved ones.

The holiday season is also a time of gratitude, and I am profoundly thankful for the contributions of each of you to SEAOI. Your engagement, participation, and passion fuel our efforts to strengthen the profession and the relationships within it. Together, we’re shaping a brighter future for all.

This month’s Engagement Challenge is a perfect way to end the year by spreading appreciation and recognition. The December Challenge is: Spotlight a Member. We encourage you to nominate a colleague who inspires you for our monthly Member Spotlight. This is your opportunity to shine a light on the achievements, dedication, and spirit of your peers. Whether it’s a mentor who guided you, a teammate who goes above and beyond, or someone whose work you admire, shout it from the virtual rooftops on social media and a personal note of encouragement! Be sure to tag SEAOI, too, in your post. :)

In keeping with the theme of gratitude and recognition, I want to personally spotlight Cathleen Jacinto, SE, PE. If you have ever met Cathleen, you know that she is one of the kindest people you will ever meet and has a hard time not pitching in when an opportunity to help pops up. She's also incredibly intelligent and well-spoken. Thank you to Cathleen for saying that first "yes" to editing the bulletin when we still had one and thank you for your continuous "let's do this" attitude that makes you so fun to know and work with!  SEAOI is richer with you leading it.

As we all close out the year, I’m excited about the journey ahead in 2025. Thank you for being an essential part of SEAOI. Wishing you and your families a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year.  Spread the joy with a spotlight this month, too!

Warm regards,

Jennie Traut-Todaro SE, LEED AP

President, Structural Engineers Association of Illinois

Hello SEAOI Members!

As we inch closer to Thanksgiving, the winter holidays, and general hibernation, I want to highlight this month's focus on our November SEAOI Engagement Challenge: Social Media Engagement! This is your chance to showcase your involvement with SEAOI by posting on LinkedIn and your other social media accounts. Share your experiences, tag SEAOI, and help us spread the word about the great work and initiatives within our community. Every post strengthens our network and brings new visibility to the structural engineering profession in Illinois and beyond. The best part of this challenge? You don’t even have to get up from your cozy late fall seat.

Did you help build a home with WiSE and WomenBuild last month? Did you attend the NCSEA Structural Engineering Summit in Las Vegas earlier this month? What about the Structural Engineering Foundation Lecture? Did you see me there? Post about it!

In other news, I’d like to share an important step we took regarding the Structural Engineering computer-based test. SEAOI distributed a letter to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), and other NCSEA and member organization leadership, addressing several key issues of concern with the new exam format. The letter outlines our members’ experiences with the new exam, to foster an ongoing dialogue around improvements that could benefit both emerging and established professionals. You can view the letter here.  

A huge thank you to all of the SEAOI members and exam candidates who shared their experiences with us. We know that the letter is in the right hands at NCEES and we have requested the topic be added to the next IDFPR meeting. Other states have also responded favorably to our letter, now interested in conducting their own experience survey to confirm our assertions and ultimately push their own states’ licensing boards to advocate for changes to the format.

Thank you for your continued engagement and dedication to our profession. Let’s make this month’s challenge an impactful one, and keep up the great work as we approach the end of the year.

Warm regards,

Jennie Traut-Todaro SE, LEED AP

President, Structural Engineers Association of Illinois