Kristina Swallow

About Kristina

• I knew I wanted to be a civil engineer from a young age because my dad was a civil engineer, so I gained exposure to the work early on.
• I earned my bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, moved to Las Vegas because of the promising job opportunities, and started working in flood control, land development, and traffic.
• As I gained experience, I became curious about the regulations dictating civil engineering projects, so I applied for a fellowship in Washington, D.C., to learn more about transportation policy.
• My fellowship ended after a year but I stayed for two more years and worked in surface transportation authorization—I really learned how hard it is to get legislation through all the negotiations.
• When I came back home to Las Vegas, I worked for the City of Las Vegas and gained more experience in local municipal design.
• After years of involving myself in volunteer work, I ran for president of the American Society of Civil Engineers—I was only the fourth female president and the first president from Nevada!
• During the last nine months of my presidency, I decided to leave my job with the city so that I could focus all of my attention on the American Society of Civil Engineers.
• After my presidency ended, I received the opportunity to work as the director of the Nevada Department of Transportation—I’ve loved the work since my first day on the job!