Gracy Padgett, a junior at Mercer University from Rome, Georgia, has been building her skills in civil engineering through hands-on experience and academic study. For the past three years, Padgett has worked as a junior engineer at EXP, a private engineering firm, while attending classes at Mercer.
Padgett first became interested in civil engineering after an internship with EXP during her senior year of high school. Although she initially planned to attend a larger university in Georgia, a recommendation from her hometown doctor, who is also a Mercer alumna, led her to consider Mercer. After visiting the campus, Padgett decided it was the right fit for her.
“I went and I toured, and I fell in love with it,” Padgett said.
At Mercer, Padgett participates in the Go Baby Go program, which adapts battery-powered toy cars for children with limited mobility. She also works in research labs led by Dr. Anthony Choi and Dr. Sarah Bauer.
“Gracy impressed me right away,” said Dr. Bauer, assistant professor of environmental and civil engineering. “She stood out as very intelligent, very motivated, very driven. Most importantly, she’s very organized and goal-oriented, which is really good for being a college student and learning to be a professional engineer but also a very important skill when you’re working in a research group. Gracy’s also just a pleasure to be around. She’s excited to learn and get the most out of her schooling here.”
Under Dr. Bauer’s guidance, Padgett and two other students are working on an Engineering Honors Program project focused on converting food waste into bio oil using hydro-thermal-liquification.
“The project that we’re working on is a waste to energy project, where we’re trying to look at ways to feasibly and sustainably convert food waste to bio oil,” Dr. Bauer said. “Our students are using this process called hydro-thermal-liquification, which is basically a pressure cooker for the waste. We’re looking for food waste that is high in carbon content to see if we can convert that into a renewable oil product.”
Padgett has also conducted foundational research with Dr. Choi on applying artificial intelligence for traffic signal management.
“Mercer taught me a lot of the background to what I’m learning (at EXP). Before, I would be designing with our design software and not knowing the math behind it. Mercer has really helped me to know why I’m doing what I’m doing,” she said.
During each summer and holiday break since starting college, Padgett has returned to work at EXP. The company focuses mainly on transportation engineering but also takes on structural and environmental geotechnical projects.
“I mainly work on transportation engineering. That’s what my passion has been ever since I started working at EXP,” Padgett said. “I’ve had an opportunity that’s once in a lifetime, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’m so fortunate to be able to work here.”
Padgett’s responsibilities have included contributing to the Georgia 400 express lanes construction project through traffic studies and intersection design as well as assisting local governments with funding applications for various projects across education, economic development and environment sectors.
This year she began working part-time remotely for EXP while continuing her studies at Mercer University; after graduation she plans to join EXP full time as an entry-level civil engineer.
“I really love the work. It’s a real family and a close-knit work environment. It’s just absolutely incredible, and it’s so supportive,” she said.
Dr. Bauer noted that these experiences will benefit Padgett when she enters her career after graduation.
After passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam upon graduation from Mercer University—an initial step toward licensure—Padgett will complete four years of supervised engineering before seeking her Professional Engineering license required for managing independent projects; eventually she hopes to gain further experience by joining the Georgia Department of Transportation.
