Civil Engineering’s Dr. Ioannis Brilakis was appointed to the Governing Board of the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) Mentor Program, Atlanta chapter.  This important program serves high school youth who are exploring careers in any of the three disciplines.  The mentors involved are professionals in leading design and construction firms who volunteer their time.  Dr. Brilakis is currently the only academic serving on the Governing Board of the Atlanta chapter. 

ACE is a unique partnership among industry professionals who work together to attract young people to their professions.  The ACE Mentor program uses a multidisciplinary, team-mentoring model where up to 25 students and 10 mentors from four or five firms meet biweekly after school for two hours.  Through a year-long curriculum, teams work on planning, design, and scheduling either a real or a “virtual” construction project.  Assignments include weekly lectures, site visits, and a semester project.  The program also provides scholarships for youth.  In his new role, Dr. Brilakis looks forward to opportunities to influence Atlanta’s youth in the areas of architecture, construction, and engineering.