Exemplifying the spirit of service at the heart of the engineering profession, 2009 civil engineering alumna Elizabeth (Beller) Staryak has a deep sense of compassion and a desire to create a better world. 

Her commitment is showcased through 14 years of community service with the New York Junior League (NYJI), earning her the organization’s Outstanding Volunteer Award for 2024. 

As a director at large of the Junior League's Board of Directors, Staryak plays a pivotal role in identifying and implementing initiatives, like domestic violence advocacy or adult financial literacy, that create positive change within her hometown. She has been an advocate for survivors of domestic violence and has helped first-generation Americans open credit accounts. Additionally, she has completed two New York City Marathons since 2021 for the NYJL team. 

However, Staryak's passion for service extends to her work with Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a nonprofit organization that provides guide dogs to individuals with vision loss, which is even more inspiring.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind's mission is to connect exceptional dogs with individuals in need, empowering them with greater independence and mobility. Staryak has taken this mission to heart, dedicating herself to raising her eighth puppy for the program. Her training period with each dog lasts 18 to 24 months. This commitment reflects her profound understanding of the transformative impact these highly trained dogs can have on the lives of those they serve. It’s also how she met her husband, Adam, a fellow guide puppy raiser.

“I spend thousands of hours working to get these dogs ready to make a difference in other’s lives. These aren’t my dogs. They come into my world for a reason—to go out and change their future partner’s life,” she said. “It’s a small way of making the world a better place, which is my goal in my work as an engineer.”

She is also an active supporter of the Wildlife Conservation Society, demonstrating her commitment to preserving the natural world and protecting vulnerable species.

Professionally, Staryak's engineering expertise shines as a rail and transit senior project manager with STV Inc. Her leadership as the deputy construction manager on the East River Tunnel Rehabilitation project, a $1 billion endeavor, showcases her ability to tackle complex challenges and deliver impactful solutions. This project, which aims to rehabilitate a vital transportation infrastructure hub within New York City, exemplifies Staryak's dedication to improving countless lives through her engineering prowess.

Through her diverse personal and professional involvements, Staryak epitomizes the engineering code of service, using the knowledge and skills she gained at Rose-Hulman to create positive change in her community. She serves as a reminder of the profound impact that engineers can have when they embrace their calling to improve the lives of others.

“I learned to be a leader at Rose as I developed close personal friendships that I still have today,” says Staryak, who was actively involved in the Delta Delta Delta sorority and student chapters of the American Society of Civil Engineering and Society of Women Engineers. “If I was having a bad day, my friends and professors were there to support me and get me through it. They took time to care. That compassionate leadership was an important part of my Rose-Hulman experience.”