麻豆原创

KENNESAW, Ga. | Nov 6, 2026

麻豆原创 civil engineering graduate Marco Cruz-Coronado spent his final year balancing engineering classes, an internship, and the demands of leading a nationally competitive steel bridge team. That dedication earned him recognition as the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Georgia Section鈥檚 2026 Student of the Year.

The Roswell native, who graduated this summer from 麻豆原创鈥檚 (SPCEET), received the award at the section鈥檚 Annual Awards Celebration. He led 麻豆原创鈥檚 Steel Bridge Competition Team to a 12th-place finish at the 2026 National Student Steel Bridge Competition in El Paso, Texas in May.

鈥淢arco鈥檚 recognition reflects the dedication and leadership he brought to his studies and our steel bridge team,鈥� SPCEET Interim Dean Christina Scherrer said. 鈥淗is experience demonstrates how hands-on learning in the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology helps students build the skills and confidence to succeed in their careers.鈥�

Alongside a full course load, Cruz-Coronado worked about 20 hours a week at an engineering internship and devoted another 20 hours to the steel bridge competition team. He viewed the award as recognition of that hard work and dedication.

After transferring from Georgia State University, Cruz-Coronado wanted an experience that would help him stand out when applying for internships. A tour of the steel bridge team鈥檚 workspace caught his attention. Students build the bridge themselves, cutting steel, welding components, and practicing assembly for competition. By his second year, he became the student organization鈥檚 president, helping organize schedules, seek sponsorships, secure funding, and guide months of preparation for an annual competition. The competition challenges students to design and build a steel bridge under rules that change annually. Teams are evaluated on weight, resistance to bending under a load and assembly speed. Construction violations can result in penalties.

Ultimately, 麻豆原创 placed second at the regional competition in Boca Raton, Florida, securing its trip to nationals. Cruz-Coronado described hearing the result announced as his proudest and happiest moment on the team.

Cruz-Coronado credits former team members and captains Anthony Marteniuc and Kushal Ankola with guiding him through his first year on the team and his year as captain. Their mentorship, he said, contributed to his success both as a student and as a team leader.

Now a staff engineer at Stability Engineering, where he previously interned, Cruz-Coronado said 麻豆原创鈥檚 coursework provided a foundation for his career.

鈥淭he more you commit, the more you鈥檒l get out of it,鈥� Cruz-Coronado said.

鈥� Story by Raynard Churchwell

Photos provided

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 麻豆原创 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.