Stephan Durham is the Assistant Dean for Student Success and Outreach & Juneau Construction Company Professor in Civil Engineering (funded by Nancy & Les Juneau). He joined UGA’s engineering faculty as an associate professor and program coordinator for civil engineering in 2012. In this position, he helped develop the college’s undergraduate degree program in civil engineering. Durham served as interim dean of the College from July 2024 through June 2025.
Where did you earn your degrees and what are your current responsibilities?
I am a triple-hog as I received by Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Master of Science in Civil Engineering and Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Arkansas. My current responsibilities include serving as the Assistant Dean for Student Success and Outreach and Juneau Construction Company Professor in Civil Engineering in the College of Engineering. In my Assistant Dean role, I oversee the college’s Office of Student Success which focuses on student recruitment, student support and engagement, experiential learning, academic advising, and outreach. In my professor role, I teach undergraduate and graduate courses in civil engineering, conduct research in the area of bridge and roadway asset management, concrete materials, and construction.
When did you come to UGA, and what brought you here?
I came to UGA in 2012 in support of the formation of the College of Engineering (est. 2012) and the creation of the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree program. My primary role was to lead the development of the civil engineering program through the creation of the curriculum, establishment of laboratories, hiring of faculty, and successful accreditation of the civil engineering degree program.
What are your favorite courses and why?
In general, I enjoy teaching any class. Being in a classroom full of students is an exciting experience. I have taught a lot of different classes over the years. One of my favorite classes is our Capstone Design I and II course sequence. I enjoy watching students work in teams to solve real-world engineering problems for community and industry clients and seeing how they apply concepts learned across their entire degree program. It’s a rewarding experience to mentor them through the design process and help them develop the technical, communication, and professional skills they’ll use throughout their engineering careers.
What are some highlights of your career at UGA?
Reflecting on my 14+ years at UGA, my greatest sense of accomplishment is being a part of the faculty who formed the College of Engineering in 2012 and established the civil engineering degree program. Witnessing the growth of the college’s and civil engineering degree program’s student enrollment, research, reputation, and impact has been rewarding and a great sense of pride for me. I consider myself fortunate to be a part of such an incredible group of faculty and staff who have made this all possible. Another rewarding moment is attending graduation each fall and spring and seeing our graduates walk across the stage after years of hard work. I love being there to cheer and celebrate them!
How do you describe your research or scholarship to people outside the field? How does your research or scholarship inspire your teaching, and vice versa?
My research focuses primarily on bridge and roadway asset management, concrete materials, and construction, with the goal of supporting communities across Georgia and beyond in making informed decisions about maintaining, preserving, and improving their infrastructure. I have always believed that teaching and research go hand in hand where both support the learning concepts, discovery of ideas, and the solving of problems. One of the ways I connect research and teaching is by encouraging students to think beyond conventional solutions and ask questions such as, “How can we improve the long-term performance of this design?” or “How can we make infrastructure more sustainable and resilient?” These types of questions challenge students to think critically and creatively. In one course I previously taught, student teams incorporated waste-stream materials into concrete mixture designs as part of a class project. What was most rewarding was seeing students become fully invested in the work by spending evenings and weekends in the laboratory, testing new ideas, and pushing beyond the project requirements because they genuinely wanted to develop a better and more sustainable solution.
What do you hope students gain from their classroom experience with you?
I hope students leave my classes with the confidence to take on complex engineering challenges and the understanding that learning does not stop at graduation. Engineers must continually adapt, grow, and develop new skills throughout their careers, and I want students to embrace that mindset. I also emphasize the importance of professionalism, integrity, and leadership, with the goal of helping students become not only strong engineers, but respected leaders within their organizations and communities.
What does it mean to you to hold the Juneau Construction Company Professorship in Civil Engineering? How has this influenced your view of philanthropy and its impact on higher education?
Holding the Juneau Construction Company Professorship in Civil Engineering is both a tremendous honor and a reminder of the impact that generous philanthropy can have on students, faculty, and our college. I am incredibly thankful to Nancy, Les, and the entire Juneau Construction Company family for their support of me, the College of Engineering, and the University of Georgia. Having known Nancy and Les since I arrived at UGA in 2012, I have seen firsthand their commitment to giving back and investing in the success of others. Their generosity has introduced me to the role philanthropy plays in higher education. Philanthropic support creates opportunities that would otherwise not exist, allowing colleges to invest in students, faculty, academic programs, and new initiatives. Serving as the Juneau Construction Company Professor has reinforced my appreciation for the lasting impact that generous individuals and organizations such as Juneau Construction Company can make.
If you could say one thing to engineering donors, what would it be?
I would simply say THANK YOU! The support of donors creates opportunities that would not otherwise exist and has a direct impact on our students, faculty, and programs. In my role as Assistant Dean for Student Success and Outreach, I see how philanthropy helps provide leadership, engagement, and experiential learning opportunities that shape our students’ college experience and future success. As our college continues to grow rapidly, philanthropic support is more important than ever, not only for enhancing student experiences and success, but for building teaching research laboratories, expanding learning environments, and providing the spaces where we teach, learn, and conduct research.
Describe your ideal student.
To me, the most important qualities of a successful student are a strong work ethic and professionalism. Students who are dependable, take ownership of their responsibilities, and consistently put forth their best effort are well-positioned to take on challenging problems and achieve their goals. Aspects of professionalism such as being a good communicator, listening to and respecting others, learning from mistakes, acting with integrity, and striving to make a positive impact as a servant leader will benefit students not only in the classroom but ultimately throughout their personal lives and professional careers.
Favorite place to be/thing to do on campus is…
Whether in the classroom, my office, or passing through the hallways of Driftmier Engineering Center, some of the most rewarding moments come from conversations with students. I enjoy hearing about their experiences and helping them think through their future career paths. Those informal interactions often have just as much impact as the lessons taught during class. And, of course, I also enjoy spending Saturdays cheering on the Dawgs!
Beyond the UGA campus, I like to…
Outside of school, I enjoy spending quality time with my wife and boys. I enjoy being outdoors and hiking in the North Georgia mountains, exploring trails, and seeing new places.
Favorite book/movie, and why?
My favorite book is “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell. I am intrigued by phenomena that affect social behavior and what factors determine the success or failure of companies, organizations, etc. My favorite movies are “The Bourne Trilogy.” These movies are full of action. I’m sure my liking of these movies has nothing to do with my desire to be a secret agent/spy.
The one UGA experience I will always remember will be…
I will always remember the first day of our “Introduction to Civil Engineering” class in the fall 2012 semester. This was the first class of civil engineering students at UGA since the 1930s, when the program was consolidated. In fact, I have a photo from that day that hangs on my office wall. I hope the students realized the significance of the moment as much as I did. What an exciting day!
