ALUMNI Highlights

Alejandra Vega '24
Civil Engineering

Alejandra is a Research Civil Engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, Mississippi. A native of El Salvador, Alejandra earned her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Florida Atlantic University in May 2024, graduating with Magna Cum Laude honors. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering at Mississippi State University (MSU). Vega remains actively involved with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the non-profit organization Engineers in Action (EIA), where she serves as a mentor for the Bridge Program at FAU. During her undergraduate studies, Alejandra served as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for the Statics and Strength of Materials courses. She also led the KaBodali Footbridge Project (2024) in Eswatini, Africa, as the Project Manager. The bridge now serves over 2,500 residents in rural communities. Upon graduation, she received the Faculty Award for Outstanding Leadership in recognition of her exceptional performance as Project Manager and her active involvement in student organizations including EIA, ASCE, and the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). In her free time, Alejandra enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, friends, and her dog, Taquito. She loves going to the beach, playing board games, and trying new foods.

 

Alex Hintze '20
Civil Engineering

Alex is currently working as a Civil Structural Engineer with The Mbhilibhi Group, a full-service engineering and construction firm based in Eswatini. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Florida Atlantic University in 2020. During his time at FAU, Alex led a team of students in designing and constructing a footbridge in Eswatini through the non-profit organization Engineers In Action (EIA). Following graduation, he joined BCC Engineering in Fort Lauderdale, where he worked as a Structural Engineering Designer on highway bridge projects for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Seeking a new adventure, Alex relocated to Eswatini and began working with Engineers In Action, managing and hosting university teams during their bridge projects across the country. Within his first year there, he met the love of his life, Ashar, and the two were soon married. Having found a sense of home in Eswatini and wishing to return to engineering design, Alex joined The Mbhilibhi Group, where he continues to apply his structural engineering expertise on a variety of impactful projects.

 

Nicole Cummings '03
Mechanical Engineering

Nicole is the deputy program manager at Aerojet Rocketdyne, responsible for the RL10 rocket engine that will power the Exploration Upper Stage of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1B rocket, which is slated to carry the first woman and first person of color to the moon as part of NASA’s Artemis program. She holds a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Florida Atlantic University and an M.S. degree from the National Graduate School. Cummings began her aerospace career 18 years ago as an intern, later working as a test engineer and then in rocket launch operations, serving as the engineering liaison for major clients such as NASA, The Aerospace Corporation, and United Launch Alliance. She eventually transitioned to the business side, taking on the role of operations manager, where she was responsible for integrating new technologies into the company’s product lines—experience that paved the way for her current role as RL10 deputy program manager. Outside of her work at Aerojet Rocketdyne, Cummings is passionate about promoting STEM education in local schools, regularly engaging with students to inspire excitement for science and engineering. She also founded her own small business, Sophisticated out Loud (SoL), which supports women- and minority-owned businesses through marketing, networking, and growth resources. Her leadership and impact have earned her several honors, including the WPB Women’s Chamber of Commerce Giraffe Award, Success Magazine’s 40 under 40, MIA Magazine’s 40 under 40, recognition as one of South Florida’s Most Prominent and Influential Black Women, and ICABA’s Women of Impact.