WSU Engineering Students Build Awning for Disability Center

Students gain real-world experience while helping their local community.

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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A group of Washington State University engineering students are working with the Disability Action Center Northwest in Moscow, Washington to design and build an awning for the center's offices. The project provides the students with hands-on experience in areas like developing construction plans, obtaining city approval, and working with contractors, while also allowing the disability center to save costs by partnering with the student team.

Why it matters

This project allows WSU engineering students to apply their classroom knowledge to a real-world community service initiative, giving them valuable practical experience. It also benefits the local disability center by providing an upgraded facility at a reduced cost. The collaboration highlights the important role universities can play in supporting their surrounding communities.

The details

The students, who are part of the WSU chapter of Engineers in Action, developed plans for the awning, obtained city approval, and are now working with contractors to fabricate and install the new structure. The project was originally a senior design project for mechanical engineering students who graduated in 2024, and the current student group decided to take it on and see it through. The students had to convert the original work into formal construction plans and navigate the approval process with the city.

  • The students will begin installing the awning at the Disability Action Center on Monday, February 16, 2026.
  • The original senior design project that led to this community initiative was completed in 2024.

The players

Haley Boileau

A senior in civil engineering at Washington State University and the project lead for the disability center awning.

Nandita Biswas

An associate professor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Washington State University who serves as an advisor to the student Engineers in Action club.

Jonathan Steffens

An assistant professor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Washington State University who also serves as an advisor to the student Engineers in Action club.

Jesse Weaver

An instructor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Washington State University who became a mentor for the disability center awning project.

Disability Action Center Northwest

A community organization located in Moscow, Washington that provides resources and support for individuals with disabilities.

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What they’re saying

“I tell my students that every engineering project — even the smallest ones — have some level of complexity, and you need to use your engineering skills and judgement.”

— Jesse Weaver, Instructor

“It gives you out-of-class experience, especially with communicating with a lot of different stakeholders.”

— Haley Boileau, Civil Engineering Student

What’s next

The students will continue working with contractors over the next few weeks to complete the installation of the new awning at the Disability Action Center Northwest offices in Moscow, Washington.

The takeaway

This project demonstrates how university engineering programs can partner with local community organizations to provide valuable hands-on experience for students while also delivering tangible benefits to the surrounding area. The collaboration highlights the important role universities can play in supporting their local communities.