Sue L. NiezgodaView profile
Professor
Dr. Sue L. Niezgoda is a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Gonzaga University's School of Engineering and Applied Science. She holds a Ph.D. from The Pennsylvania State University and is a licensed Professional Engineer. Her work emphasizes water resources engineering, with a focus on stream restoration, hydraulic modeling, and sustainable infrastructure. Education: Ph.D., Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 2004 M.S., Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 1998 B.S., Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 1997 B.A., Engineering and Physics, Elizabethtown College, 1996 Dr. Niezgoda's research centers on river and stream restoration, particularly the use of natural solutions like beaver dam analogs, risk and uncertainty assessment in design, and low-impact development technologies such as permeable pavements. She advocates for experiential learning, integrating field projects into her courses to engage students in real-world engineering challenges. Her teaching includes Fluid Mechanics, Watershed Modeling, and Stream Restoration. Her recent publications reflect a strong trend in applying process-based, risk-informed approaches to stream restoration, with increasing emphasis on monitoring, education, and professional standards. She has contributed significantly to the development of a national body of knowledge for stream restoration certification. Professional Affiliations and Leadership: ASCE Environmental and Water Resources Institute (EWRI), Hydraulics and Waterways Council, River Restoration Technical Committee Board of Directors, River Restoration Northwest Active contributor to American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Dr. Niezgoda has advised numerous undergraduate students on research projects related to stormwater, stream monitoring, and pavement systems. She has led externally funded research initiatives, including the Sharp Avenue Permeable Pavement Feasibility Study for the City of Spokane. She is also an experienced instructor of professional development courses on hydrology, hydraulics, and restoration modeling. She is currently on sabbatical during the 2024–2025 academic year but remains an active researcher and educator.










