Graduate students -- many of them international – often arrive on campus without a built-in support system, making it difficult to navigate the academic, professional and personal challenges of graduate school. 

When Alireza Mashreghi began his doctoral studies at the University of South Carolina, he quickly experienced those challenges firsthand after his advisor left the university during his first semester. While faculty and department leaders helped him find his footing, the experience inspired Mashreghi to help create the Civil and Environmental Graduate Association (CEGA), a student-led organization dedicated to helping graduate students build connections, find support and succeed together.

"Our main purpose is to help members grow and improve their futures through community," says Mashreghi, a second-year doctoral student in water resources who now serves as CEGA's president.

The first-ever graduate association at Founded by graduate students in the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, CEGA launched its first full semester of programming in spring 2026. The organization brings graduate students together through professional development, networking and social events while creating a stronger sense of community.

The idea grew from conversations with USC's Graduate Student Association and support from Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Chair Juan Caicedo, who recognized the need for a space where graduate students could connect, ask questions and support one another.

"I hope that through the work the CEGA is doing, graduate students see USC as a place they belong – their place," Caicedo says. 

Open to all graduate students in the department, the CEGA has about 15 active members and hopes to continue growing. Ayman Nemnem, a fourth-year doctoral student in water resources and the organization's treasurer, helped build CEGA from the ground up and continues working to create networks and connections that will help all members.

One of CEGA's biggest goals is connecting graduate students with faculty, alumni and industry professionals. The organization hosts guest speakers, career development events and networking opportunities where students can ask questions and learn from engineers working in the field.

"This is an opportunity for the graduate students to receive mentorship from peers and alumni," Mashreghi says. "They can guide the students with their experiences."

Members also help shape CEGA's programming by recommending seminar topics and speakers. For Nemnem, those events often introduce students to career paths and opportunities they might not have considered.

"It's an eye-opener for lots of students," he says. "It's also good for the professors to announce openings at their universities."

CEGA also helps students present their research by identifying funding opportunities for conferences and hosting poster sessions with industry partners.

"Sometimes people are very interested and passionate about going and presenting, but they don't have the funds," Nemnem says. "When CEGA can give you these funds, that's really amazing."

Earlier this year, the organization helped fund Nemnem's travel to a conference where he presented his research and connected with potential employers. "That was one of the moments I felt most proud of CEGA," Mashreghi says. "Without our support, the opportunity might not have happened."

Beyond professional development, CEGA focuses on helping students feel like they belong. Many graduate students in the department are international, and having a network of peers can make adjusting to a new university and culture much easier.

"They can learn about each other's cultures, build friendships and learn from each other's research and personal interests," Caicedo says. "These connections are important for student resilience. Suddenly, you know someone who can help in a moment of need."

The organization also hosts bowling nights, hikes and other social events that give students a chance to step away from research and socialize outside the classroom.

Looking ahead, Mashreghi is working with students, faculty, alumni and industry partners to expand CEGA's programming and secure additional support for conferences and future events. The organization also plans to strengthen its partnership with the Midlands Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers while continuing to welcome new members.

Caicedo believes CEGA has laid a strong foundation and hopes more alumni and industry partners will get involved.

"There are tremendous opportunities to support CEGA, and I believe there are plenty of graduates that would love to give back to USC and support CEGA," Caicedo says.

For Mashreghi, the organization's success won't be measured by the number of events it hosts but by the community it leaves behind.

"CEGA is an investment in people," he says. "The students we support today will become the engineers and leaders of the future."