Tufts students attend Engineers Without Borders National Conference

In March 2025, ten members of Tufts Engineers Without Borders (EWB) packed their bags and headed to Charlotte, North Carolina, for the 2025 EWB-USA National Conference. What they returned with was more than inspiration—it was a renewed sense of purpose, technical insight, and the reminder that real change is rooted in collaboration.

The three-day conference gathered students, professionals, and humanitarian engineers from across the country to explore the intersections of climate action, environmental justice, and sustainable development. For the Tufts team, it was an energizing opportunity to present their work, share ideas, and connect with a national network of like-minded changemakers. 

A special highlight was the presentation by Adda Hennessey, E26, and Matias Corona, E27, undergraduates in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Greenhouse Project Leads. The two spoke alongside the Texas A&M chapter about Tufts EWB’s “Three Ship Model,” a framework grounded in friendship, ownership, and leadership to promote member retention and deepen project engagement. “Presenting our strategies, exchanging ideas, and receiving feedback from fellow students was an incredibly rewarding experience,” said Bergen Kane, E26, an undergraduate in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and president of the EWB Tufts Chapter.

Beyond the blueprints: building community and confidence

The conference wasn’t just about projects—it was about people. Events included a poster session and career fair that fostered dialogue and deepened connections between chapters. “We gained critical technical insights and left feeling more motivated than ever,” said Kane. “It was amazing to be surrounded by passionate individuals who share our mission of using engineering expertise to support communities worldwide.”

Panel discussions and peer conversations provided insight into the diversity and unity of the EWB community. “I was deeply inspired by the Women in Engineering panel, which highlighted the experiences of young women in Nicaragua aspiring to enter the field,” shared Tufts EWB Vice President Dani Price, E26. “Their resilience and pride in pursuing engineering were a powerful reminder of why I’m passionate about this work.” 

“Attending the conference showed me just how big and supportive the EWB network really is,” added Maddy Molloy, E27. “Everyone I met was eager to help or connect me to someone who could. It was exciting to see so many people driven by the same goals.”

From conference to campus—and beyond

Tufts students not only exchanged technical approaches but also explored what sets their chapter apart—balancing global engineering projects with meaningful local action. Currently, the team is engaged in three active projects:

• Implementing a borehole and handwashing stations to bring clean water and sanitation to a community in Makwelani, Malawi
• Designing a water catchment and distribution system to deliver clean water directly to households in Santa Estefania de Malta Pura, Ecuador
• Building a local greenhouse while also improving infrastructure for the Somerville Homeless Coalition.

Attending the conference gave students new tools to apply to their ongoing projects. “One technique I learned about was a spring box—an effective method to reduce water turbidity by allowing particles to settle,” said Ecuador Project Lead Olga Dernova, E26. “This could be a game-changer for our Ecuador project, where the local water source is currently too turbid for safe use.”

Engineering impact through partnership

The theme of this year’s conference, “Power Through Partnership,” deeply resonated with the Tufts team. As Kane reflected, “At the core of our mission is the understanding that true sustainability isn’t just technical—it’s built on lasting relationships with the communities we serve.”

Engineers Without Borders USA is part of a global network committed to meeting basic human needs through sustainable engineering. Whether it's building footbridges, installing solar panels, or improving access to clean water, each project reflects a shared vision: to create opportunity and dignity through engineering solutions that last.

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