By Daniel Wilson

December 16, 2024

Madison Damman loves helping others.

From taking care of her grandmother, to teaching people how to swim, helping disabled individuals ride therapy horses, and conducting transportation infrastructure research for Caltrans, Damman has dedicated her time and energy to making sure those around her thrive.

She, too, is thriving. Damman was among the approximately 3,100 Sacramento State graduates eligible to walk the stage during Winter Commencement on Dec. 14. The 23-year-old first-generation college student earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.

The ceremonies, held downtown at Golden 1 Center, were part of Sac State’s first Winter Commencement since 2017. The daylong event also included a “Graduation Rewind” celebration for 2020 and 2021 graduates whose ceremonies were canceled during the pandemic.

Damman’s natural inclination to help others revealed itself from an early age, when as a child she helped her father with household tasks. The work taught her to challenge herself and step outside of her comfort zone.

“It kind of triggered this thing in my brain where now I push myself and I'm able to do it,” she said. “I keep pushing myself. Pushing myself to prove that I can do it. Even coming here to Sac State and graduating with a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, I pushed myself and I wanted to see if I could do it. And I did it.”

Always a strong student, Damman took college classes while in high school and graduated early. She attended community college before transferring to Sacramento State.

“I've been interested in civil engineering for a very long time,” she said. “My high school really got me educated on the topic and inspired me to become a civil engineer.”

Damman’s time at Sac State helped her along that path, providing real-world experience. She was among several of Civil Engineering Professor Ghazan Khan’s students who worked with Caltrans on various projects. Damman researched safety improvements in construction zones and license plate reader technology that could help the company improve road conditions where semi-trucks frequent.

Her time working with Caltrans was yet another place where Damman’s desire to help others came to light.

“One thing that has consistently stood out for me about Madison is the number of her peers who have mentioned her to me multiple times as someone who has offered them support, help, advice and guidance throughout their academic journey,” Khan said. “Her passion and commitment not just to excel as a student, a future civil engineer, but as a leader amongst her peers and as a productive member of the community has been exemplary.”

Damman said a key to her success has been her involvement with clubs and organizations, which have helped her make friends, network and connect with women in a field that is typically male dominated. Among the groups she has been involved in are Women in Stem, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Concrete Canoe Club, where students design and build canoes using strategically chosen cement mixtures in hopes they will float.

“One thing that has consistently stood out for me about Madison is the number of her peers who have mentioned her to me multiple times as someone who has offered them support, help, advice and guidance throughout their academic journey. Her passion and commitment not just to excel as a student, a future civil engineer, but as a leader amongst her peers and as a productive member of the community has been exemplary.” -- Professor of Civil Engineering Ghazan Khan

Her academic and professional life aren’t the only places where her passion for helping others shines. She has given back to her community as a lifeguard for the city of Vacaville, where she lives with her parents, providing swimming lessons for children, adults and the elderly. She also spent time as an intern working on traffic studies for the city, writing manuals that will make it easier for future interns to understand the tasks. She also gives back to her family, caring for her grandmother in Clear Lake Oaks.

And her passion for horseback riding is no exception, either. In high school, she volunteered at a therapeutic riding academy, helping physically and mentally disabled children and adults ride horses for therapy.

Damman said she enjoys helping others because it brings her a lot of satisfaction and she strongly believes in treating others as you would want to be treated.

“I do absolutely find value in helping others,” she said. “Not only does it help them, but it helps me. It makes me feel like I'm a good person, and it really teaches you a lot of empathy.”

After graduation, Damman will join a Northern California civil engineering firm, working on land development projects to provide more housing for Californians.

Beyond that, she plans to obtain further licensing in civil engineering, follow a childhood dream of becoming a pilot and possibly return to Sac State for a master’s program.

Damman, who is proud to graduate debt free with the help of financial aid and scholarships, said her education wouldn’t have been possible without strong support from her family and the University.

“I am very grateful that I have support from my parents,” Damman said. “They have been immense help for me throughout this whole thing and I would not be able to get the education that I have now if I didn't have that support from my parents and my grandparents.”