Class of 2026: Tyler Tierney builds with purpose through service in construction

Name: Tyler Tierney

College: College of Engineering

Major: Building Construction

Hometown: New York City, New York

Plans after graduation: Working in Fredericksburg, Virginia, as an assistant superintendent/engineer with Turner Construction

Favorite Hokie memory: Earning first place as part of Virginia Tech’s heavy civil team at the Associated Schools of Construction competition in Greenville, South Carolina, in November 2025. “After months of preparation, it was exciting to bring everything together in a high-pressure setting and deliver strong results. Competing alongside my teammates, while engaging with sponsors and professors, made the experience even more meaningful.”

As the outstanding senior in building construction, part of the Myers-Lawson School of Construction, Tyler Tierney has no doubt Virginia Tech was the right choice. “I became a Hokie because of the strong culture and traditions that make Virginia Tech unique,” he said. “The spirit of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) stood out to me during the application process. Coming from New York City and having experienced the pandemic there, I saw Virginia Tech as an opportunity to step outside my comfort zone, challenge myself, and grow independently in a close-knit community.”

That commitment to Ut Prosim ultimately shaped his academic path and reinforced his decision to pursue construction, where service leadership is woven into the curriculum.

Laying the groundwork 

In Tierney’s second year, he saw a flyer on the wall of Bishop-Favrao Hall advertising an Associated Schools of Construction competition team. He had just completed an internship in heavy civil infrastructure in New York and thought joining the heavy civil team would be a perfect way to build on what he learned there. Projects on the heavy civil team include lift planning, scheduling, estimating, and executive procedures. Students also have the opportunity to go on regular site visits to help sharpen their skill and gain real world experience.

Tierney joined the team at a transitional moment, when only six students were involved after many from the previous team graduated. When the new team participated in their first competition together, it was the first time for everyone. “We didn't do the best, but we learned a lot along the way,” he said. “And we kind of just kept improving and getting better to where we are now.”

This spring, Tierney competed in his fourth competition, and it was his first time as the team captain. During the competition, teams are challenged with quick turn-around bid proposals and in-person presentations. Tierney delegated tasks, executed check-ins every hour during the 16-hour competition, and supported the team in putting together a high-quality presentation. Ultimately, the heavy civil team placed third out of seven, and Tierney placed first as an individual presenter.

“I think it honestly just came with time and experience that I had been working towards this as far as coursework, internships, and different opportunities I've taken on within the School of Construction to get me to that place where I was able to win that award,” Tierney said. “But it definitely didn't come easy. And I have to thank my whole team as well for supporting me and working together collaboratively towards our final presentation.”

The next competition is in November, and even though Tierney won’t participate, he’s focused this semester on mentoring the next team captains and setting them up for success.

“The team has made a huge impact on me as a person, but also, I hope to have made an impact on my peers and the people around me through my leadership, recruiting, and the mentorship that I'm trying to offer. That's been my goal for this last year of my college experience — Ut Prosim, serving others.”

Since the 2025 fall semester, Tierney has also served as a student ambassador for the building construction program. He led tours, participated in open house events, and spoke about his experience as a student to prospective students, families, industry partners, and university guests.

“Serving as an ambassador has strengthened my confidence, professionalism, and public speaking abilities, while also allowing me to give back to a program that has given so much to me.”

Reinforcing fundamentals in the classroom

One of the most impactful aspects of Tierney’s academic experience has been serving as a teaching assistant for several building construction courses. In this role, he has supported faculty by assisting with lectures, leading review sessions, grading assignments, and helping students navigate complex course material.

“Acting as a liaison between professors and students has strengthened my communication skills and reinforced my own technical foundation. More importantly, it has allowed me to mentor younger students as they adjust to the demands of the program.”

Annie Pearce, associate professor of building construction, first taught Tierney as a student in her construction materials course, then made him the course’s undergraduate teaching assistant. At the time, Pearce was struggling to convert the course into a hybrid version.

“Tyler played a pivotal role in helping redesign the course during a challenging post-COVID period,” Pearce said. “He provided candid, thoughtful insight into the student experience and offered practical, innovative solutions that significantly improved student engagement and course effectiveness.”

Scholarship support frames a career

As a junior, Tierney received the Terra Internship Scholarship, which allowed him to take an internship in summer 2025 with Turner Construction in their Reston office. Through internships and industry engagement, Tierney has gained hands-on exposure to project coordination, field operations, safety management, and subcontractor communication. Now he’s poised to start full-time with Turner Construction in Fredericksburg after graduation.

“I have seen firsthand how effective leadership directly impacts project success and team morale,” he said “These experiences have strengthened my desire to contribute to projects that make a lasting, positive impact on communities where infrastructure plays a vital role in daily life.”