Outstanding Corporate Partner 2022: Jacobs Engineering Group

By Holly Hinson

Founded in 1947, and now one of the largest engineering firms in the world, Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (Jacobs) has been ranked by Engineering News-Record (ENR) as No. 1 in its list of Top 500 Design Firms for the fourth consecutive year. American Society of Civil Engineers has recognized Jacobs as one of the best-managed consulting engineering firms in the country, and they have been ranked on Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies List and Forbes Best Employers for Diversity.

Two of the company’s core values are diversity and education, which fall directly in line with Speed School of Engineering. In support of these ideals, Jacobs is partnering with Speed School to sponsor the Engineering is FUNdamental summer camp series.

The mission of the partnership is to advance educational equity by introducing engineering principles to students from historically underserved populations in greater Louisville. Those targeted for the program include African American, Hispanic, Native American, and female students who attend Louisville-area public or private high schools, but the program is open to all.

Through this collaboration, Jacobs is covering the cost of attendance for the students.  Additionally, Jacobs will provide 65 volunteer hours (totaling $5,200) in support of the partnership.

Jacobs strives to make the world better for all by actively engaging with local educational and workforce development initiatives. Jacobs Engineering Louisville office has hosted numerous Speed School co-ops since 2014, and their engineering team is comprised of 57% Speed School graduates.

“Jacobs Engineering Group is honored to receive recognition for our partnership with the J.B. Speed School of Engineering at the University of Louisville,” said Project Manager Joshua Rivard. “The summer camp program is commendable in its endeavor to introduce engineering principles to students from historically underserved populations in Louisville,” he said. “Jacobs is excited to build upon this partnership to expand the opportunities to advance educational equity in greater Louisville.”

Josh Rivard accepted the award on behalf of Jacobs Engineering Group during Speed School’s annual awards dinner at the Brown Hotel on Oct. 21, 2022.