NEW ENGLAND DISTRICT

News Stories

New England District engineer sits on career panel during MassBay STEM event

USACE, New England District
Published Sept. 30, 2016
Michelle O'Donoghue talks with MassBay Community College students during a career panel in Wellesley, Massachusetts on Aug. 23.

Michelle O'Donoghue talks with MassBay Community College students during a career panel in Wellesley, Massachusetts on Aug. 23.

New England District Project Engineer Michelle O’Donoghue, Construction Division, traveled to Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts to sit on a career panel at MassBay Community College, Aug. 23.  O’Donoghue joined representatives from Sanofi-Genzyme and Mathcounts on the three person panel.

The career panel was part of the MassBay Community College STEM Starter Academy Summer Program.  “The Starter Academy Program is designed for incoming first-year students,” said Mark Anderson, New England District’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) coordinator.  “It includes a two-week intensive math review program, STEM activities, an introduction to college success skills, along with workshops on effective communication and stress management.”

During the one hour panel, O’Donoghue described her role at the District and her education path.  According to Anderson, O’Donoghue also answered questions from the panel facilitator and from attending students.  “There were many well thought out questions and strong general interest in the panel discussion,” said Anderson.  “There was a very positive response from the students.”

This is the second year that New England District team members participated in the MassBay Summer Bridge Program.  “The event is an extension of and was developed through our partnership agreement with MassBay,” said Anderson.

According to Anderson, the program has been highly successful in preparing students for success as they enter the college environment and has improved student retention in the STEM academic programs. 

New England District’s involvement with the program allows engineers to talk about their chosen career path and possibly inspire students to enter the engineering field.  “Ms. O’Donaghue’s involvement in the career panel helped approximately 30 students identify potential academic and career paths, gain an understanding that not all paths to STEM are linear, along with insight into what civil engineers with the Corps of Engineers do on a regular basis.”

O’Donaghue, who has been with the Corps of Engineers for seven years, has been a member of the New England District team since January 2015.  Current projects she is involved with include Muddy River Phase 1, the Hanscom Dormitory Design-Build, and the Building 2200 and 2201 roof replacement at Westover.

MassBay Community College was chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in February 1961, according to their website.  It offers associate degrees and certificate programs.  The college has campuses in Wellesley Hills, Framingham and a Technology Center in Ashland.

New England District Project Engineer Michelle O’Donoghue, Construction Division, traveled to Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts to sit on a career panel at MassBay Community College, Aug. 23.  O’Donoghue joined representatives from Sanofi-Genzyme and Mathcounts on the three person panel.

The career panel was part of the MassBay Community College STEM Starter Academy Summer Program.  “The Starter Academy Program is designed for incoming first-year students,” said Mark Anderson, New England District’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) coordinator.  “It includes a two-week intensive math review program, STEM activities, an introduction to college success skills, along with workshops on effective communication and stress management.”

During the one hour panel, O’Donoghue described her role at the District and her education path.  According to Anderson, O’Donoghue also answered questions from the panel facilitator and from attending students.  “There were many well thought out questions and strong general interest in the panel discussion,” said Anderson.  “There was a very positive response from the students.”

This is the second year that New England District team members participated in the MassBay Summer Bridge Program.  “The event is an extension of and was developed through our partnership agreement with MassBay,” said Anderson.

According to Anderson, the program has been highly successful in preparing students for success as they enter the college environment and has improved student retention in the STEM academic programs. 

New England District’s involvement with the program allows engineers to talk about their chosen career path and possibly inspire students to enter the engineering field.  “Ms. O’Donaghue’s involvement in the career panel helped approximately 30 students identify potential academic and career paths, gain an understanding that not all paths to STEM are linear, along with insight into what civil engineers with the Corps of Engineers do on a regular basis.”

O’Donaghue, who has been with the Corps of Engineers for seven years, has been a member of the New England District team since January 2015.  Current projects she is involved with include Muddy River Phase 1, the Hanscom Dormitory Design-Build, and the Building 2200 and 2201 roof replacement at Westover.

MassBay Community College was chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in February 1961, according to their website.  It offers associate degrees and certificate programs.  The college has campuses in Wellesley Hills, Framingham and a Technology Center in Ashland.


The Pawcatuck River Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study

   This proposed plan is presented  to facilitate public involvement in the review and commenting on the remedy selection process for the Nantucket Memorial Airport (NMA) Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS.) 
    The Army Corps of Engineers is proposing a No Action under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act for the Munitions Response Site-1, Project Number D01MA049901 at NMA located on Nantucket Island, MA.  The proposal was prepared using the Guide to Preparing Superfund Proposed Plans, Records of Decision, and Other Remedy Selection Decision Documents (USEPA, 1999).
    The final decision for NMA Site-1 site will be made after reviewing and considering all information submitted during the public comment period. The proposed decision may be modified based on new information or public comments. The public is encouraged to review and comment on the proposed plan.
    The FUDS program addresses the potential explosives safety, health, and environmental issues resulting from past munitions use at former defense sites under the Department of Defense (DoD) Military Munitions Response Program, established by the U.S. Congress under the Defense Environmental Restoration Program.  
    FUDS only applies to properties that transferred from DoD before October 17, 1986 and the first priority of USACE is the protection of human health, safety, and the environment. 
    The Army is the executive agent for the FUDS Program, and USACE is the lead agency for investigation/reporting and remedial decision-making at this munitions site with regulatory support provided by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).


Updated: 05 December 2016