Transforming Ideas into Reality

Valpo’s College of Engineering brings together top tier educators who truly thrive when placed in a classroom setting. Flavia Mendonca, Ph.D., assistant professor of civil engineering, combines her passion for teaching and her expertise in the field of civil engineering, as the first female Latin American professor in the College.

“My start in Valpo is interesting because I interviewed two separate times,” Professor Mendonca says. “The first time was when my husband got a job in Chicago and I started looking for a position in a small school environment then I found a visiting position, applied, interviewed and was offered the role, but then I got pregnant and Valpo was a one-hour commute from Chicago, so I had to refuse the offer. Luckily, the next year I applied again and got the offer and this time I accepted.”

Professor Mendonca first taught at a small school in Virginia and found that the setting was one that she could thrive in, so she pursued that feeling until it led her to Valpo. The community she found at Gellersen is what convinced her that she belonged among the College of Engineering educators.

“One thing that I didn’t see in any other university is how helpful people are at Valpo. If you have the smallest question people will move mountains to help you out,” Professor Mendonca says. “People are really helpful and kind and it’s like a big family. I remember thinking during my interview ‘are these people really this lovely and nice?’ and yes, they are!”

Aside from the welcoming environment and advantages that come with a small school, Valpo represented an opportunity for Professor Mendonca to expand her knowledge, continue teaching and be in the classroom doing what she loves.

“I considered working in industry but once I got into my master’s program and worked as a teacher’s assistant I fell in love with teaching,” says Professor Mendonca. “I’m teaching a class and a lab right now, so when a student is able to point to something we learned in the class and implement it in the lab that is one of my favorite moments of teaching.”

Professor Mendonca looks forward to improving her courses each year and learning from her students on what works and what doesn’t. She also hopes to be more involved with research and getting involved in more programs to help with retention of engineering students.

Her extensive knowledge of civil engineering comes from years of dedicated study and research including several internships in Brazil, one of which included being a part of a hotel construction from the very first days of soil testing until construction was underway.

“In Brazil we have to choose our major before entering university, so I took the exam for engineering and economics,” Professor Mendonca says. “I passed both but then I had to choose and engineering is everything that I always wanted, so it was an easy choice for me. I never did any type of research in my undergrad, but when I came to the U.S., I had the opportunity to do some research and had the opportunity to teach. That’s when I knew that this is what I want to do.”

According to Professor Mendonca, the field of civil engineering is highly competitive but is attainable with the right mindset. As a female professor in the field of engineering, Professor Mendonca realizes the pressure and stress that is placed on women in the field and offers a few words of advice.

“My advice to women in engineering, and to women in general, is to not be intimidated. Believe in yourself, believe in your strength and intelligence and move forward. You are meant to be here.”