If there is anything civil engineering and project management alumnus Mohamed Niagne is passionate about, it is support structures — in engineering, and especially in relationships.

During Niagne’s time at UAA as an undergrad, fellow students in the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) are what made campus feel like home. After graduating, a fellow College of Engineering (CoEng) alumnus referred Niagne to his current position at the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities where he designs roads. And at that job, a colleague inspired Niagne to return to UAA to pursue graduate studies in project management.

“My time and the people at UAA were very crucial to helping me understand and appreciate all the work I would be doing,” said Niagne. “Now I’m part of society and I believe UAA gave me the best opportunities to make that impact and do that work.”

According to Niagne, the project management education supports his civil engineering experience, giving him the organizational skills to be a more efficient engineer. Ultimately, Niagne’s goal is to continue using his talents to bring better services, like clean water and energy, to communities around the world while finding safer methods to tap into natural resources.

Born in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa, and raised in Senegal, West Africa, Niagne and his family moved to Anchorage, Alaska in 2010. Even at a young age, it was apparent that his future lay in engineering.

“My parents hated getting me toys,” said Niagne. “I’d play with them for a bit, but my favorite part was breaking them down and putting them back together. They’d get upset, but it was a great learning process. Eventually, they stopped getting me toys though.”

After enrolling at UAA in 2013, Niagne quickly expanded his support network, serving as vice president of the Greek Council, brother of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, vice president of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, peer mentor at ANSEP and member of the African American, Hispanic, Asian, International and Native American students program. Even now, he remains heavily involved at his alma mater through his continued work with ANSEP and CoEng.

Niagne credits his enthusiasm for immersing himself in community and improving the world around him to his grandfather. All the traits he aspires to come from watching his grandfather take an active leadership role in Côte d'Ivoire, exhibiting patience, wisdom and optimism.

“If you want change, it has to start with you. My grandfather showed me that,” said Niagne. “That wisdom is what inspired me to give back to this town, community and state.”

Looking ahead, while Niagne wants to take a well-deserved vacation somewhere warm, he suspects he will jump right into studying for his professional engineering exams, joking that no matter where he goes, he will inevitably find himself evaluating the quality of the roads.

But first, as the graduate student commencement speaker for the fall Class of 2024, Niagne hopes to convey the importance of those essential support structures.

“We all work hard,” said Niagne, “but always make time to grab coffee, whether it's with a friend, mentor or loved one, because those are the people who supported you through life’s challenges.”