In The News

October 27, 2022

Columbia, Benedict College partnership preparing engineering students for success

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A partnership between the City of Columbia and Benedict College is helping prepare students for careers in engineering.

The private college has created an elective course focused on water quality and green infrastructure to teach students how to improve stormwater conditions.

Jayla Berry, a May graduate, participated in the program.

Through their partnership, she learned to design bioretention cells that catch pollutants, reduce flooding and add character to the street with things like plants.

“I knew that I wanted to be an environmental engineer… somebody that helps the planet, make it a better place,” Berry said. “It’s not the easiest thing, but it’s so worth it. It’s so rewarding in the end.”

While the students’ designs were purely educational, the projects that inspired their work will soon come to life.

The city is building the cells on parts of Laurel, Richland and Read Streets, along with Haskell Avenue, near Benedict College, in early November.

[read more | News19 WLTX]

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