By Ines Aviles-Spadoni, M.S., M.A., Research & Communications, UFTI
Four transportation professionals from across Florida working in the public and private sectors graduated this spring from the University of Florida’s Master of Science in Civil Engineering online program with a concentration in Transportation Leadership.
Their career paths were different, and so were their reasons for pursuing the degree. But they all had one thing in common: a willingness to pursue a graduate program while working full-time and balancing responsibilities at home.
For Brooks Thomas, Kathleen Golding, Donna Green and Makaylee Graves Ross, returning to school was a challenge they were eager to take on, knowing full well they would have to learn to balance work responsibilities and family life. But they were also aware that their career growth did not have to stop after getting that first job or even after being in the job for three decades.
The online program, designed for transportation professionals, combines engineering coursework with leadership and project management training; it prepares students for executive and policymaking roles.
Each graduate’s career path is unique. But their stories reflect a growing demand for transportation professionals who can think strategically and collaborate across agencies and disciplines in Florida, at the national and even international levels.
Building a strong foundation for what’s to come
Brooks Thomas is an engineering specialist working at the FDOT District Two office in Gainesville, Florida. He said the transportation leadership concentration presented an opportunity for him to challenge himself academically, to develop strategic planning and leadership skills, and to work toward becoming a professional engineer.
“I know I still have a long road ahead, but this program is helping me build a strong foundation for what’s to come for my future,” Thomas said.
Thomas said the program improved the way he approaches complex problems and polished his decision-making skills. It also gave him a better understanding of innovation and leadership, preparing him to take on bigger responsibilities at FDOT.
“I am now more confident in solving complex issues in project management while collaborating with team members,” he said.
He also said that one course – Advanced Urban Transportation Planning (TTE 5006) stood out to him.
“This particular course was a challenge, and it focused on trip generation, distribution and mode choice,” Thomas said. “This course deepened my understanding of transportation systems and strengthened my thinking approach by recognizing how transportation systems influence how we travel each day, the impact it has on urban economic development and public safety.”
As for how Thomas managed to work full-time while enrolled in an online graduate program, he said he remained disciplined and prioritized his time, which is his advice to other working professionals wanting to pursue a graduate program.
“Manage your time wisely, stay focused, take advantage of the resources that may be available, and networking opportunities that can become valuable to you as you enter into the program,” he said.
More than just CADD tasks
Kathleen Golding is a roadway civil engineer working with WSP USA, Inc., in Tampa, Florida. She enrolled in the Transportation Leadership program concentration because she wanted more from her career than pure technical work. Golding wanted to understand how decisions are made in organizations, how they operate, and what leadership opportunities in the transportation industry look like at the higher levels.
“While technical skills are important, I was interested in developing leadership and management skills that would allow me to grow beyond day‑to‑day design work,” she said. “I didn’t want to spend my entire career focused solely on CADD tasks.”
To Golding, the Transportation Leadership program provided structured program management skills and an understanding of how leadership decisions are made at an organizational level.
“The coursework helped connect technical work to the broader context of planning, management, and decision‑making within engineering firms and public agencies,” she said.
One course that made an impact on her during the program was Advanced Engineering Leadership Development. Golding said that throughout her career, she has taken many technical and project management courses, but none specifically focused on leadership at the organizational level.
“This course was especially impactful because it focused on how engineering firms are led as organizations, not just how individual projects or engineering tasks are managed,” she said. “That broader leadership perspective was new and eye‑opening for me.”
As an early-career professional, Golding said the program has given her a better appreciation of why organizations like WSP make the decisions they do.
“Whether relating to resources, strategy, or project delivery, understanding the ‘why’ behind these decisions has made me a more thoughtful and effective employee and has better prepared me for long‑term leadership roles,” Golding said.
Golding wants prospective students to know that this graduate program is ideal for those who do not necessarily want to do a deep dive into technical coursework but who want to develop leadership skills and a better understanding of the transportation profession.
“I would highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to pursue an advanced degree after undergrad but doesn’t necessarily want or need to take a large number of highly technical engineering courses,” she said.
A 30-year career at FDOT
Donna Green works at the Florida Department of Transportation. She serves as the statewide metropolitan planning organization administrator, overseeing the state’s 27 MPOs. Her decision to pursue graduate studies came after spending 30 years at FDOT.
“I wanted to continue growing—not just for myself, but for the people and agencies I serve every day,” she said. “The Transportation Leadership track’s focus on project management and metropolitan planning tied directly to the foundation of my work—and strengthened it in meaningful, lasting ways.”
She said the program helped her view transportation issues from a “fresh perspective,” allowing her to step outside her daily responsibilities, challenge herself in new ways, sharpen her leadership abilities, and expand her awareness of industry trends.
At 56, pursuing a graduate degree is not easy. Green had to balance a demanding career, her family, aging parents, and a 90-minute commute to her job. She said there were moments when everything felt overwhelming.
But support from the program’s faculty members, such as Siva Srinivasan, professor and director of the Transportation Leadership program in the Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering, and Fazil Najafi, professor in CEE, made her experience meaningful.
“Both professors encouraged me, pushed me intellectually, and helped me grow,” she said. “They understood the pressures many of us faced and truly cared about our success. Their support made a tremendous difference during moments when continuing felt difficult. I will always be grateful for their guidance and belief in their students.”
Looking back on her experience in the program, Green said it not only prepared her for the next stage in her career but also enriched the work she is already passionate about. She also learned how much she can do – balancing work, graduate school and life.
“This experience taught me resilience, discipline, and a renewed belief in what is possible, no matter your stage in life,” Green said. “The moment you walk across that stage, see your name light up the jumbotron, and realize you accomplished something you once questioned—it is one of the best feelings you will ever experience.”
Leadership in action
Makaylee Graves Ross works as a contract support specialist with Infrastructure Consulting and Engineering, Inc., out of Tampa, Florida. She found out about the Transportation Leadership concentration from a former co-worker at FDOT who encouraged her to apply. Her supervisor at the time also supported the idea.
Reassured by the confidence both her colleague and supervisor had in her, Graves Ross decided to take the leap and pursue the degree.
Makaylee said the program gave her a different perspective on the transportation industry and confidence to think beyond the day-to-day responsibilities of her job.
“Working in transportation while completing this degree allowed me to immediately connect what I was learning in class to real-world situations, which made the experience especially meaningful,” she said.
As for the coursework, Graves Ross learned about the planning, leadership, management and decision-making processes that make up transportation systems. She said the experience gave her the tools to become a good leader and to see how transportation agencies and organizations make decisions that affect communities.
But one of the most impactful experiences came not from the coursework but from one of her instructors, Bill McElroy, who taught Engineering Leadership (EGS 6039). McElroy was battling cancer while continuing to teach.
“Watching him persevere through such a difficult personal challenge while remaining dedicated to his students was an inspiring example of leadership in action,” Graves Ross said. “His resilience, optimism, and commitment to helping others left a lasting impression on me.”
McElroy’s example resonated with her because at the time, she was dealing with some challenges of her own. While in graduate school, Graves Ross was also working full-time, planning her wedding and honeymoon, and running a photography business.
“There were certainly stressful periods when deadlines overlapped, projects piled up, and wedding planning demanded attention at the same time as coursework,” she said. “The experience ultimately strengthened my confidence and showed me that I can accomplish more than I ever thought possible.”
Graves Ross also said the program’s value was in the opportunity to learn alongside transportation professionals from different organizations, backgrounds, and areas of expertise. In her experience, her classmates shared insights from their careers, bringing real-world perspectives to class discussions that went beyond the course material.
As for her advice to prospective and current students, Graves Ross recommends being prepared for the commitment, staying organized, and not being afraid to reach out to professors if any challenges arise.
“If you are willing to put in the effort, the program can be an incredibly rewarding experience that will challenge you, expand your perspective, and prepare you for future opportunities,” she said.