The Grainger College of Engineering
Illinois Center for Transportation

ICT graduate starts new chapter

4/25/2025 Interviewed by Sameer Sanadi

As graduation season arrives, we’re proud to highlight Namith Gangidi — an Illinois Center for Transportation graduating student. He shares his favorite memory, future plans and advice for those following in his footsteps.

From left: Gangidi, right, with advisor Imad Al-Qadi, Grainger Distinguished Chair in Engineering and ICT director, at the ICT Winter Open House on December 2, 2024. Gangidi, front row fourth from left, with ICT staff, students and faculty at the 104th Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting.
From left: Gangidi, right, with advisor Imad Al-Qadi, Grainger Distinguished Chair in Engineering and ICT director, at the ICT Winter Open House on December 2, 2024. Gangidi, front row fourth from left, with ICT staff, students and faculty at the 104th Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting.

What’s your favorite memory from your time as a graduate student?

One of the things I cherish most about my time at ICT is the incredible support system I found here. Whether it was my peers, professors or mentors, I always had people who encouraged and uplifted me — both professionally and personally. If I had to pick one favorite memory, it would definitely be the time my ICT colleagues organized a surprise birthday celebration for me. I had never had a real surprise party before, so it was completely unexpected and incredibly special. That moment reinforced how much ICT is more than just a workplace — it’s a community where people genuinely care for each other. It’s memories like these that make my time at ICT unforgettable.

What are your future plans?

I am excited to begin my professional journey as a Pavement Engineer at Terracon Consultants in Indianapolis, starting in June 2025. In this role, I will be working on pavement design, evaluation and rehabilitation projects, contributing to infrastructure development and sustainability.

What is your advice to future CEE transportation students?

Be prepared to face setbacks and unexpected challenges along the way. Not everything will go as planned, and that’s completely okay. The key is to learn from failures, adapt and keep moving forward. Stay curious, embrace opportunities to collaborate and never hesitate to seek guidance from your peers and mentors — your network will be one of your greatest assets.