UA Little Rock Engineering Student Earns Second AISC Scholarship While Building Experience in the Field
Tyler Burns, a senior civil and construction engineering major at UA Little Rock, is making the most of his college experience, all while balancing leadership roles, research opportunities, and hands-on industry experience.
This fall, his hard work and dedication were recognized once again when he received a $5,000 scholarship from the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Education Foundation for the second year in a row.
A native of Van Buren, Arkansas, Burns is also pursuing a minor in mathematics and is a member of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program. He plans to graduate in May 2026 and pursue a career in structural engineering after passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Structural exam.
“I’m deeply honored to receive this scholarship for the second year in a row,” Burns said. “It’s encouraging to know that my hard work is being recognized, and it motivates me to continue striving for excellence in my studies.”
The scholarship has allowed him to focus more on his coursework and campus involvement. At UA Little Rock, Burns serves as an officer in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) student chapter, where he contributes to student professional development and networking opportunities.
Outside the classroom, Burns has gained valuable industry experience through internships and research. For the past three years, he has interned with W&W|AFCO Steel, performing weld inspections, calculating project estimates, and drafting structural designs. Last summer, he traveled to Ontario, Canada, to conduct research under Dr. Khashayar Ghandi at the University of Guelph in collaboration with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Canada, where he studied materials used in nuclear reactors.
Burns credits his success to consistency and the support of UA Little Rock’s dedicated faculty members and his mentors at W&W|AFCO Steel.
“Showing up every day and consistently putting forth the effort to succeed has been key,” he said. “It also helps having exceptional faculty at this university, such as Dr. Jessica Scott and Stuart Scheiderer, P.E., who have provided recommendation letters the past two application cycles. I would also like to extend a thank you to Rick Cooper, chairman and CEO, and Grady Harvell, president and COO, of W&W|AFCO Steel.”
The AISC Education Foundation awarded $235,000 in scholarships this year to 58 students nationwide. These awards support juniors, seniors, and graduate students studying civil engineering, architectural engineering, construction engineering, materials/metallurgical engineering, construction management, and architecture.
“Thanks to the generosity of the industry and the AEC community, we were able to distribute roughly $35,000 more than last year, and we’re providing support for three more students,” said Maria Mnookin, AISC director of foundation programs. “But these students are more than numbers, and the impact of our donors goes far beyond dollar signs. This generation will make a difference in the world, and it’s always an honor to help them get started.”