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Congratulations to Ashley Mendoza who received the 2026 SMPS Foundation scholarship. Through the Society’s partnership with ACE Mentor, the scholarship provides support to ACE alumni pursuing undergraduate degrees in AEC fields. Recently, SMPS chatted with Ashley who attends the University of Washington and is majoring in Construction Management.
Please tell us more about your studies or internships and how they’re preparing you for your career? Over the past year, I have continued to grow in my pursuit of a career in the construction management industry. I am currently completing my second internship with Walsh Construction, where I am working on an affordable housing project serving seniors and individuals in the foster system. This experience has strengthened my technical skills and deepened my commitment to community-focused development.
Are there any other activities you’d like to share? Beyond my internship, I serve as secretary of my university’s Associated General Contractors student chapter, where I support professional development initiatives and help connect students with industry opportunities. Additionally, I also serve as a lead coordinator for Youth in the Built Environment at the University of Washington where I am helping middle and high school students learn about landscape architecture, architecture, and construction management.
What are you looking forward to? I look forward to continuing my professional growth and mentoring the next generation of students pursuing careers in AEC.
Congrats, again, to Ashley! For more information about the Society’s partnership with ACE Mentor, visit our webpage. Questions about the SMPS Foundation? Reach out to foundation@smps.org.