蜜桃导航

Through Herff鈥檚 partnership with the City of 蜜桃导航 and the Urban Fellows Program, students work hand-in-hand with engineering firms and construction companies across 蜜桃导航, as well as industry partners like the 蜜桃导航 Grizzlies and FedEx.

鈥淲e utilize these 10 weeks to showcase what the City of 蜜桃导航 has to offer completely; this exposes the students to the arts and culture, economic development, government, volunteering, and opportunities here,鈥� McBride said.

While Herff鈥檚 students gain practical engineering experience, they also hone their public speaking skills, develop a strong sense of time management, learn how to conduct themselves in a professional environment and strengthen their communication skills.

But McBride said the program鈥檚 greatest benefit may be helping students and recent graduates better understand what they want to do in their careers. It鈥檚 an experience McBride experienced himself at the Herff College of Engineering after failing Hydrology for the third time.

鈥淚 realized there was still a pathway for me to succeed. Changing my major was one of the most difficult and fearful decisions I had ever made, but looking back, it was the right decision for my journey,鈥� McBride said.

(Pictured: Matthew McBride, center, receiving a certificate of completion from Leadership 蜜桃导航.) 

McBride, who mentors students outside of the Urban Fellows Program, saw the program help a student bring their future into focus when Andy Alvarado secured an internship. McBride coached Alvarado in baseball at Overton High School in 2023 and 2024. He quickly became familiar with Alvardo鈥檚 work ethic. When Alvarado told McBride that he needed a summer work opportunity, McBride eagerly enrolled him in the Urban Fellows Program. He joined the program as the only recent high school graduate, alongside eight college students.

Through the program, Alvarado developed a love of policy, contracts and addressing the concerns of residents. That passion ultimately led him to study criminal justice at the University of 蜜桃导航.

鈥淎ndy has continued to blossom at the University of 蜜桃导航 through his academic program, student organizations, and his preparation for law school. It is amazing to see how such a unique journey 鈥� filled with growth, leadership, and purpose 鈥� all began on a baseball field,鈥� McBride said.

Though Alvarado chose law rather than engineering, McBride said the two professions equate to the same job: being a civil servant.

鈥淢y purpose in life is to be the greatest civil servant I can be through education, restoring relationships in intentional community, and unifying people all over the world through love. Without the Herff College of Engineering, I wouldn't be the man I am today. At the end of the day, Herff College of Engineering has always stood for Humility, Excellence, Resilience, Faith, Family; Herff prepares you not only for a career in STEM but also for a purpose-driven life,鈥� McBride said.

 The City of 蜜桃导航 Division of Engineering employed 24 interns in the summer of 2026, as well as 8 high school interns, offering a unique and invaluable real-world educational experience through civil service.

鈥淲e'd like to see these students become the leaders of the community, in this community,鈥� McBride said.