On June 10, 2025, students at Doherty Memorial High School had a front-row seat to the power of infrastructure innovation and community impact as the Engineering and Public Works Roadshow made its latest stop in Worcester.
At a time when America has a shortage of engineering and public works professionals, the team behind Doherty Memorial High School leads by example, creating one of the most energy efficient municipal buildings in Worcester and teaching students how a career in these fields improves the community.
The event featured a powerful lineup of engineering leaders and public officials, beginning with Principal John Staley, who welcomed guests to Doherty’s newly opened, state-of-the-art, carbon-negative campus. APWA President Dominick Longobardi emceed the event, introducing speakers who emphasized the real-world value and human impact of infrastructure careers.
Speakers included:
- Rich Benevento, APWA Region 1 Director and Senior Vice President at Tighe & Bond
- Dawn Connelly, President of ACEC Massachusetts
- Andy Herrmann, Past President of ASCE
- Eric D. Batista, Worcester City Manager
- Jennifer Johnson, President and CEO of Nitsch & Matthew Brassard, Vice President at Nitsch Engineering
Each speaker highlighted how engineering and public works projects, from roads and bridges to green buildings and stormwater systems, shape communities and improve lives. But a central theme throughout the morning was clear—the future of these professions depends on the students of today.
Dawn Connelly of ACEC MA had a message directly for students: “You don’t have to have it all figured out right now. Engineering and public works careers are open to anyone who’s curious, motivated, and willing to learn. Whether you start exploring in college, take a different path through community or technical college, or discover your interest later in life, there are many entry points into this field.”
”Emerging technologies have complicated the future outlooks of a wide range of careers, but our built environment will always need skilled workers to carry out projects that transform communities and improve our quality of life,” said Andy Herrmann, P.E., past-president of ASCE. “The programs at Doherty Memorial High School are giving students the unique opportunity to prepare for these rewarding careers through practical, hands on education.”
“Doherty Memorial High School functions similarly to public works by integrating education with practical applications, investing in infrastructure, engaging in community service, and addressing social needs,” said APWA Region I Director Rich Benevento. “Its programs not only prepare students for meaningful careers but they also directly benefit the community, embodying the spirit of public works in an educational setting.”
The event underscored the urgency of growing the engineering talent pipeline and showcased how schools like Doherty, with its robust Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, are critical to that mission.
Students in Doherty’s Engineering Technology Academy, Construction Craft Laborer, and Programming and Web Development programs engaged with industry leaders, asked questions about career pathways, and learned how their classroom experience translates directly into high-demand careers.
The event concluded with the presentation of awards and thanks to the educators, engineers, public officials, and public works professionals working together to invest in Worcester’s youth and infrastructure future.