For those involved in USC Engineers Without Borders, giving back to the community is a way to utilize engineering skills in the field. Now, the group is expanding its outreach with more projects, both local and abroad.
The local chapter at USC is a part of the national organization Engineers Without Borders USA, which is responsible for operations both domestically and internationally. With local chapters in almost every part of the country, EWB-USC is just one piece of a larger group with the goal of using engineering expertise to shape a sustainable future.
Many of the projects the group works on are based around the Columbia area. Local project delegate and third-year chemical engineering student Zoe Geiger said her experience in Engineers Without Borders has helped her connect with the greater Columbia area.
“You get to make a direct impact on the people that are living in Columbia. You get to meet some locals, and also, you’re forming connections with people that may not be studying the same engineering as you,” Geiger said.
One of the most prominent projects the group has undertaken in recent years was building a bridge in Sesquicentennial State Park. While it had been a concept project for years, construction was completed last spring, and the bridge is now open.
Geiger said EWB-USC is looking at a couple of different local projects to undertake within the coming weeks. Currently, the club is building shelters for cats in the Campus Village area due to the upcoming winter cold. It is also having discussions with Congaree National Park about helping to restore the area after Hurricane Helene.
According to local project lead and second-year mechanical engineering student Harry Weaver, the work with Congaree was supposed to break ground two weeks ago. However, it has been delayed due to unexpected circumstances.
“We’re waiting to hear back from Congaree National Park, but because the government’s been shut down, they don’t have anyone working there,” Weaver said.
Though some members focus on local projects, others have shifted their attention towards the international aspect of EWB. International Project Lead and second-year mechanical engineering student Ryan Cataldo said the club is coordinating efforts to bring its work abroad, specifically in Guatemala.
In spring 2026, EWB-USC plans to help build a drainage system for a school in Guatemala that faces severe troubles due to erosion. HDR Engineering, a firm that specializes in architecture and engineering projects, is supporting the project. The University of Washington and community partners in Guatemala have also assisted with this project.
“We received a $15,000 grant from HDR Engineering Consultant over the summer, and we had started that bond at the EWB Conference in Charlotte,” Cataldo said. “Since then, that has propelled us to move forward and enriched us with so many valuable mentors that have guided us through this project.”
Through the work on these projects, Cataldo said that the interconnectedness between disciplines is an opportunity unique to EWB. Students have the opportunity to develop a variety of different on-site skills.
“I’m grateful to be getting this interdisciplinary experience,” Cataldo said. “Engineers of all types and people of all majors are working very well together.”
While the club primarily deals with engineering disciplines, Geiger said other majors and fields are recruited and involved with the organization. This is necessary to complete some of their larger projects.
“If we need any help with fundraising or running our social media, we also reach out to people who are more like finance or accounting for them to get experience there, or like public relations,” Geiger said.
The club has experienced positive growth, and Weaver said the culture around the club is changing. In the future, the club will have more social events where members can interact beyond just engineering work.
“Student population has gone up, leadership has gotten a lot more organized, and I think everyone within leadership has a thorough understanding of their role and their purpose," Weaver said. "So everyone’s just kind of firing on all cylinders."