Major Minor
Major in Civil Engineering
Build the future • Design innovative structures • Lay the foundation for an impactful career
John Brown University
2000 W. University St.,
Siloam Springs, AR 72761
479-524-9500
jbuinfo@jbu.edu
What are you looking for?
In the civil engineering major, you'll acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to design, build, and maintain the infrastructure that shapes our world. With a focus on hands-on learning, cutting-edge technology and problem-solving, you'll graduate prepared for a fulfilling career in civil engineering.
Start your applicationYou'll engage in practical projects and internships that provide firsthand experience in designing roads, bridges, buildings and water systems. You'll learn about structural analysis, geotechnical engineering, and environmental sustainability, equipping you with the tools to meet industry demands.
The Balzer Technology Center houses over 40,000 square feet for classroom, lab and fabrication areas. Students have access to a laser cutter, a new mill, a carbon fiber 3d printer and more.
Through rigorous coursework and practical applications, you'll master engineering principles, project management and sustainable design. You'll also cultivate leadership and critical-thinking skills essential for solving complex challenges in civil engineering.
Learn more about our other engineering and computer science programs.
The demand for skilled civil engineers remains strong as infrastructure projects continue to grow globally. According to industry reports, the need for civil engineers is expected to rise over the next decade, creating abundant opportunities in transportation, environmental and structural engineering.
You'll gain practical experience through design and construction projects that mimic real-world engineering challenges. These hands-on opportunities allow you to apply concepts like structural analysis, surveying and sustainable design in a controlled learning environment.
Courses are taught by experienced engineers and faculty with extensive backgrounds in academia, industry, and government projects. You’ll receive guidance that blends theoretical knowledge with real-world applications and professional mentorship.
Design and oversee the construction of buildings, bridges, and other structures, ensuring they are safe, sustainable and meet regulatory standards.
Plan and design efficient transportation systems, including highways, railways and airports, to improve mobility and connectivity in urban and rural areas.
Focus on sustainable solutions by designing water treatment systems, managing waste and mitigating environmental impacts for public and private sectors.
JBU offers a variety of minors related to the engineering, computer science and cybersecurity fields.
Dr. Ted Song has served as Chief Intercultural Engagement Officer since 2021, as a member of the President’s Cabinet. He joined JBU in 2012 as a professor of electrical engineering and has held several leadership roles, including Chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee, Director of Innovation, and Chair of the Engineering, Computer Science, and Cybersecurity Departments. In 2023, he was also appointed as Chief Innovation Officer, helping lead the university’s academic innovation and strategic program development.
Ted grew up in both the U.S. and Korea and is a certified facilitator in Cultural Intelligence (CQ®). He was an ROTC cadet during his undergraduate years and later served as an Air Defense Artillery Officer in the Republic of Korea Army. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, an M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and an M.S.L. (Master of Studies in Law) from Samford University with a concentration in higher education law and compliance.
Outside of JBU, Dr. Song serves as a Peer Reviewer and Team Chair for the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), is an Appointed Member of the AI & Analytics Center of Excellence of the State of Arkansas, and serves on the board of the Western Benton County Partnership. He also chairs the Diversity & Inclusion Commission of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU). A passionate educator and leader committed to Christ-centered higher education, he is the recipient of the 2012 Texas Exes Teaching Award, the 2018 JBU Faculty Excellence Award, and the 2022 Leading with Excellence Award from the Black Action Collective. In 2023, he was selected as an inaugural CCCU Presidential Fellow.
Ted and his wife, Michelle, live in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, with their three daughters. They are active members of Siloam Springs Bible Church (Evangelical Free Church), where Ted leads the College Ministry and serves as an elder.
Professor of Electrical Engineering; Chief Intercultural Engagement Officer, Chief Innovation Officer
Dr. Justus Selwyn holds a Doctorate in Computer Science with a specialization in Software and Knowledge Engineering. Before joining John Brown University, he spent two decades (2001–2021) contributing to academia, industry, and research across several Indian universities.
His research areas of interest include: Software Design & Engineering, data modelling, artificial intelligence in software system design & development. His scholarly work has been published in reputable international journals, and he has presented his research conferences in Germany, Israel, and the United States.
Alongside his academic career, Dr. Selwyn serves as a part-time software consultant, delivering software solutions to technology companies, non-profit organizations, small and medium businesses, Christian ministries, and former employers.
‘Keep things simple to build big’—a philosophy that guides his approach to teaching, research, family life, and community service, where he affirms that little things matter the most.
External links: http://justus.chordiels.com
Department Chair of Computer Science; Professor of Computer Science
Dr. John Lee joined the Engineering Faculty at John Brown University in the fall of 2018. Dr. Lee received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Oklahoma Christian University in the spring of 2008 and his Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering with an emphasis in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in the spring of 2018. His doctoral dissertation is in fluid phase separation via nanochannel arrays for space propulsion. During his academic career he was afforded the opportunity to participate in numerous internships, including a research experience for undergraduates at the University of Arkansas, process engineering at Eaton Corporation, and a dynamics lab at Los Alamos National Labs. While finishing his dissertation research, he worked for WattGlass, a solar panel coating start-up at the University of Arkansas Engineering Research Center.
Dr. Lee and his wife, Nicole, enjoy spending time with their wonderful daughter, Zoey, and amazing son, Zane. They enjoy traveling as a family and experiencing other cultures, cuisines, and foreign landscapes. In his free time, Dr. Lee enjoys sporting events, golf, and woodworking. He and his family are members at Cross Church, Fayetteville.
Department Chair of Engineering; Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Michelle Kim grew up in South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United States and received her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Kim moved to Siloam Springs, Arkansas, in 2012 with her husband, Dr. Ted Song. Before joining JBU, she served as a faculty member in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Arkansas for seven years. Dr. Kim and Dr. Song have three wonderful daughters—Leanne, Erin, and Kori.
Associate Professor of Engineering and Biology
Dr. Tim Gilmour joined the engineering faculty in August of 2012. He teaches electrical engineering and computer science courses. He received his B.S.E.E. from Cedarville University in 2003, his M.S.E.E. from Penn State University in 2005, and his Ph.D. from Penn State University in 2012. In his master's research, he applied artificial intelligence methods to brain-computer interfaces. In his doctoral work, he applied signal processing techniques to investigate the impact of cell transplants on brain electrical activity in Parkinson’s Disease. He has published seven journal papers and presented several conference papers, and is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Arkansas. In his free time he enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and music. He is passionate about apologetics and spreading the good news about Jesus Christ.
Professor of Electrical Engineering
Mrs. Kimberly Cornett has been a dedicated member of the Engineering Department faculty since 2015. A proud alumna of John Brown University, she earned her B.S.E. in Electrical Engineering in 2007 before pursuing her MSEE from the University of Arkansas in 2009. Her master's research focused on the cutting-edge field of integrated circuit design for extreme environments, including applications in space, on the Moon, and Mars. Notably, some of the circuits she contributed to have even orbited aboard the International Space Station.
Prior to her return to academia, Mrs. Cornett gained valuable industry experience as a Servo Systems Engineer at Texas Instruments. There, she developed application-specific integrated circuits for the hard disk drive industry, cultivating her expertise in circuit design and verification, as well as project management.
Passionate about encouraging the next generation of engineers, Mrs. Cornett has served as the faculty advisor for the JBU Chapter of the Society of Women Engineers and actively participates in outreach events for young girls. Her commitment to excellence in teaching was recognized with the JBU Faculty Excellence Award in 2024.
Mrs. Cornett and her husband, Nick Cornett (a faculty member in JBU's Graduate Counseling program), have called Siloam Springs home since 2012. They are actively involved in their local church and cherish spending time with their daughter and two sons. In her free time, Mrs. Cornett enjoys baking, outdoor activities, hosting students for meals, and watching a variety of sports.
Assistant Professor of Engineering
Dr. Greg Graves’ research and teaching interests include decision-making, engineering economics, and system design. A graduate of West Point, Dr. Graves served for 27 years in the U.S. Army. During his Army career, he earned his doctorate from Texas A&M University, and later returned there as a faculty member in the industrial & systems engineering department. He joined the JBU faculty in 2025.
Dr. Graves enjoys covering distances, whether traveling with his wife, completing three marathons, hiking over 800 miles on the Camino de Santiago in Spain, or logging thousands of miles on his bike. He is especially partial to Army West Point sports teams.
Professor of Engineering
Equip yourself for a successful career and a life of purpose.
JBU does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, military status, or age in the administration of its educational policies, admissions, financial aid, employment, educational programs, or activities.
John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 42 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Eighteen graduate degrees are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, and education.