Construction engineering senior Ella Lovin: Everything is a win when the goal is experience

Senior Ella Lovin has made it a point to jump into competitive, professional, and social opportunities since she entered the construction engineering program. Now in her final semester, with an emphasis in infrastructure, Lovin has maintained her high level of involvement, paving a path to her future in the advanced facilities construction industry while mentoring new student leaders to step into her place.

Lovin (pictured above, center) served as a co-captain of the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) student competition team this fall, leading them to a first-place finish at the regional competition. She also currently serves as the treasurer for the Associated General Contractors – Iowa State University Student Chapter (AGC), and previously organized and led the construction engineering awards and scholarship banquet, hosting activities and a formal dinner for students, faculty, alumni, and industry professionals.

“In the first year of the program, it was my Cornerstone peer mentor Andrew Gatto (BS con engr ‘23, MS civil engr ‘24) that connected me with ASC, supporting me in getting a leadership position early on,” Lovin says, “and now I want to do the same for more students.”

Experience competing in technical challenges alongside fellow construction engineering students and organizing major events has defined her career path and attitude as she enters the industry this spring.

“Seek opportunities, make it be known that you’re willing to learn, lead, and grow,” says Lovin.

Lovin built a strong group of peers that spent time together working through competition requirements for AGC and ASC, leaning on each other outside of coursework. The place they spent the most time was tucked into Town Engineering, room 194, the Kiewit lab:

“We’ve built a community in the Kiewit lab, pulling all-nighters, and really bonding as we solved problems together,” Lovin says, “Everything is a win when the goal is experience.”