Rate My Professor Christina Curras

Dr. Christina Curras serves as a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, part of the College of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science. She earned her PhD in Civil Engineering, specializing in Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering, along with a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, all from the University of California, Davis. Before joining UW-Platteville, Dr. Curras worked at Woodward Clyde Consultants in Oakland, California, and at the California Department of Water Resources, where she applied her expertise in geotechnical engineering to real-world projects.

Dr. Curras's research and teaching interests focus on geotechnical engineering, pedagogy, and student success initiatives. She is the Principal Investigator for the NSF STEP grant that funds the CenterPOINT program, supporting engineering students through jobs, mentoring, stipends for research, and professional travel opportunities. Additionally, she leads the NSF S-STEM grant for the SPACES program, which awards scholarships and comprehensive support to civil and environmental engineering majors, including a $1.5 million initiative to bolster scholarships in the department. Her leadership in these programs highlights her dedication to improving retention and academic success in engineering disciplines. Dr. Curras is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the GeoInstitute, and she contributes to the ASCE Civil Engineering Education Innovation Working Group, advancing innovative practices in civil engineering education. Through her combined industry experience and academic roles, she effectively integrates practical geotechnical applications into her teaching and research efforts.