By Ines Aviles-Spadoni, M.S., M.A., Research/Communications Coordinator
When Deidra Jones learned that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the University of Florida were partnering to offer a master’s degree in Transportation Leadership, she didn’t hesitate to explore this opportunity further.
She immediately knew this program aligned perfectly with her future career goals and her desire to better understand the transportation industry beyond the jobs she had held during her career.
“I wanted to develop a deeper understanding of the transportation industry itself, and not just the technology and applications that enable it,” Jones said. “I wanted to learn more about transportation planning, policy, leadership, and the business of transportation so I could make a greater impact within the profession.”
On August 8, Jones will graduate with a Master of Science in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Transportation Leadership. This is an enormous accomplishment since throughout the program, she has been balancing graduate school with a full-time career at FDOT.
At FDOT, Jones has worked in several roles, including Enterprise IT Project Manager and Project Management Engineer in the Office of Design. Currently, she is a Transportation Specialist in the Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) Section.
“My decision to pursue a master’s degree in Transportation Leadership is rooted in a lifelong commitment to learning and professional growth,” Jones said.
For me, pursuing this master’s degree is more than an academic achievement; it is a calling. It represents my commitment to serving the transportation industry with excellence, expanding my knowledge, and developing the leadership skills needed to make a lasting contribution to the future of transportation.”
Her passion for the transportation industry is rooted in the field’s potential to impact people’s daily lives.
“Transportation is a vital part of our society,” she said. “It connects communities, people, and businesses, serves as a driving force behind our economy, and, most importantly, plays a critical role in improving safety and saving lives.”
The Infrastructure Planning and Best Practices and Construction Planning and Scheduling courses taught by Fazil Najafi, Ph.D., professor, UF Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering, taught Jones how transportation projects are planned and funded, including how to work with communities.
For example, in her Agile Project Management course, Jones says she learned to measure a team’s confidence in meeting a project completion date through the Statistical PERT model. Later, she was able to apply that knowledge in her current job at FDOT while leading the development of a Strategic Intermodal System Program Guide. Other important skills she translated into her current career included project management through Primavera P6, and she said she has been able to be more intentional about leadership through the program’s Engineering Leadership course.
“The course challenged me to become a more intentional leader,” Jones said. “I have already applied many of those leadership principles in my current role by leading projects, collaborating with stakeholders, and supporting my team more effectively.”
Jones also said she learned how interdisciplinary transportation is.
“It brings together transportation planners, engineers, GIS analysts, environmental specialists, traffic operations, maintenance professionals, and many others, all with safety at the center of everything they do,” she said.
The Transportation Leadership concentration was created for working professionals. Like many of the students in this program, Jones worked full time at FDOT while balancing graduate school and her personal life.
“The biggest challenge for me was missing out on opportunities to spend quality time with my family because I was often focused on completing class assignments or projects that were due on Sunday nights,” she said. “There were many weekends when my time was divided between attending church, working on school assignments, and catching up on much-needed rest. Balancing graduate school with my professional and personal responsibilities required many sacrifices.”
She added that what kept her going was her strong work ethic, determination, and the values that her parents instilled in her.
“Although both of my parents are no longer with me, they have remained my greatest source of inspiration throughout this journey,” she said.
After all her sacrifices and the knowledge she has gained in this program, Jones hopes that the master’s degree will create a path for her to leadership opportunities within FDOT. She is also counting on utilizing these skills to allow her to continue serving her community and church.
“Leadership is about more than a job title,” she said. “It is about making a positive difference wherever you have the opportunity to serve. I want to use the knowledge and skills I have gained to help others, develop future leaders, and contribute to meaningful projects both professionally and personally.”
Her advice for transportation professionals considering applying for the Transportation Leadership concentration is to have a strong support system.
“My biggest piece of advice is to surround yourself with people who genuinely love and support you,” Jones said. “There will be difficult days, but if you stay focused, manage your time well, and remain committed to your goals, the sacrifice will be worth it.”