As a civil engineering student at the University of South Florida, James Nesbitt learned what a difference a scholarship can make. A College of Engineering “Heart of Gold” scholarship helped him earn a bachelor’s degree in 2006, and he went on to build a successful career in a profession he loves.
Now, as a senior associate and the Tampa office operations manager for Terracon Engineering Consultants, Nesbitt has found a way to do the same for generations of future engineers.
Working with the USF Foundation and the Terracon Foundation, he helped establish a $50,000 endowed scholarship — the Terracon Mentorship in Community (MIC) Scholarship for the USF College of Engineering. Because it’s endowed, the funds generated by the Terracon Foundation’s grant will provide financial support for students forever, whether as tuition assistance or to pay for essential extracurricular experiences, such as conferences, competitions and certifications.
"James truly was the champion of this effort," said Levi Thompson, dean of the College of Engineering. "As someone who benefited from scholarships while earning his degree, he understands firsthand how transformational that support can be. Now he's helping open those same doors for others."
The scholarship will recognize engineering students whose leadership, academic achievement and commitment to community reflect the values shared by Terracon and the college.
Nesbitt, who earned a master’s degree in civil engineering from USF in 2016, was raised in a family that faced financial hardship, an experience that helped shape his determination and work ethic.
“My mom, an immigrant to this country, raised my older sister and me as a single parent” he said. “My dad, American-born, passed away when I was 5 years old. Throughout the challenges growing up, my mom always stressed faith and education — faith giving us confidence to address the day to day and education as a focus or means to help change our future.”
Nesbitt’s sister, also a USF graduate, works as an epidemiologist for the Florida
Department of Health.
Since his student days, Nesbitt has worked to build relationships and foster communication between the college, its students and local industry. In the early 2000s, he helped organize the college’s annual Engineering EXPO, a free, multi-day science and technology showcase that has educated Tampa Bay area K-12 students for 54 years.
“We connected with engineering firms, we raised money,” he said. “It was really my first taste of ‘building’ something, and I enjoyed it.”
He saw how good communication among students, the university and businesses can benefit
all three —through additional financial support, professional guidance and experiential
learning opportunities for the former, and community involvement, increased visibility
and a hand in developing their future workforce for firms.
The Terracon MIC Scholarship’s very name is intended to amplify community voices through education and highlight Terracon's commitment to investing in the communities where its employees live and work.
The investment represents Terracon and USF’s growing partnership, built on a shared dedication to education, mentorship and preparing engineers to make a meaningful impact in their communities. Terracon is a nationwide company, with more than 8,000 employees in 200 locations serving all 50 states. It has two offices serving the Tampa Bay area.
For the College of Engineering, the scholarship reflects the lasting impact of alumni who invest in the institution that launched their careers — and the students who will lead the profession they love.