Welcome from the Chair

Dear Friends and Visitors,

Welcome to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh! Building on a long tradition of engineering education and discovery, our department is helping shape the infrastructure and environmental systems that sustain communities and improve lives. From resilient transportation networks and intelligent construction to clean water, resource recovery, and the circular economy, our work addresses some of society’s most pressing challenges.

I am honored to serve as Chair of Pitt CEE, having assumed the role in fall 2026 following a year as interim chair. That experience deepened my appreciation for the talent, dedication, and collaborative spirit of our faculty, staff, and students. I look forward to working alongside them, our alumni, and our partners to build on CEE’s strengths and advance an ambitious vision for its future.

Our students are at the heart of that vision. We are committed to combining strong engineering fundamentals with emerging tools in artificial intelligence and digital technologies, while grounding learning in sustainability, resilience, and service to society. The infrastructure we design, build, and maintain connects communities, protects public health, and supports economic opportunity. Through mentorship, research, and hands-on experiences, we prepare our students to renew aging infrastructure, protect environmental resources, and develop resilient systems that serve both current and future generations.

Collaboration remains central to who we are. Across disciplines and in partnership with industry, government, and communities, we connect research and education with real-world needs. Whether you are a prospective student, a researcher, an alumnus, or a potential partner, I invite you to explore our department and help us build a more sustainable and resilient future.

Thank you for your interest and continued support. Please explore our programs, meet our people, and reach out to learn more. We look forward to connecting with you.

Sincerely,
Vikas Khanna
Professor and Department Chair