AECOM and SMU Launch Doctoral AI Fellowship to Shape the Future of Infrastructure Talent

AECOM and Southern Methodist University have announced a strategic partnership to advance AI-driven research, workforce development, and talent cultivation in infrastructure engineering. Formally launched on April 1, 2026 at SMU’s Industry Innovation Summit, the collaboration centers on a new doctoral fellowship program within SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering.

The fellowship targets PhD and Doctor of Engineering candidates researching AI applications in infrastructure, with co-mentoring by SMU faculty and AECOM technical leaders on real-world commercial engineering challenges. A joint advisory board comprising representatives from both organizations will govern the program, ensuring alignment between research priorities and industry demands while preserving academic independence.

Who Is Behind It

The partnership carries significant executive weight. AECOM Chairman and CEO Troy Rudd has been directly involved in the announcement, alongside Dr. Nader Jalili, the Mary and Richard Templeton Dean of SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering. AECOM leaders Lara Poloni and Janne Aas-Jakobsen — the company’s Head of AI for Engineering — are also driving the initiative. On the SMU side, Dr. Amin Salehi-Khojin and Dr. Usama El Shamy round out the academic leadership.

This level of C-suite engagement from both sides signals that the partnership is not a token academic sponsorship. When a CEO and a dean are jointly announcing a program, both organizations are putting their reputations behind its success.