Herff alum constructs Memphis skyline while building up the next generation of engineers
June 1, 2026
Ashely Woodall got her first job in construction at a Herff College of Engineering career fair. Now, she’s building Memphis’ skyline and mentoring the next generation of engineers.
The Herff College of Engineering alum graduated from Herff’s Department of Engineering Technology with her bachelor’s degree in 2020 and her master’s in 2026. Now a scheduling manager at Flintco, she spends her days overseeing the construction of two 15-story towers and an underground parking garage at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“This project will help provide more space for research and care to the children and doctors working on campus. The campus is constantly growing. I look forward to the future,” Woodall said.
Her career is one built on the foundation that Herff laid. Shelia Moses, Herff’s Assistant Director, Engineering Experiential Learning and Industry Partnerships, helped Woodall secure her first internship with the City of Memphis through the Urban Fellows Program. After a second internship with National Guard Products, Woodall found her future at a Herff College of Engineering career fair when she met members of Turner Construction Company.
“I will say, one of my biggest takeaways is how far a handwritten note will take you in life,” Woodall said. “That’s what started my journey in the construction industry. I wrote a thank-you letter to an executive at Turner for taking the time to speak to me at the career fair, and that got me that internship. I didn’t have to interview or anything. They sent me an offer letter shortly after that. Since then, anytime anyone is trying to help me or assist me, I try to take the time to say thank you. Networking is another thing that Herff College helped me to understand. It’s so easy to have this degree and let it take you places, but knowing the right people can take you further. I’m very thankful for the people at Herff and how it’s helped my career path as I continue to grow.”
That internship soon became a career as Woodall worked her way from intern to superintendent. She left Turner in 2023 to become a scheduling manager with Flintco, keeping teams on track and tracking some of Memphis’ biggest projects from foundation to completion.
“I enjoy driving around the city of Memphis and seeing all of the projects I’ve been a part of. There are several buildings that, when I see them, I feel proud to have been a part of the building standing tall,” Woodall said.
While she, figuratively and literally, climbs the ladder of success, Woodall takes time to mentor the next generation of engineers. The former National Society of Black Engineers president and Herff College of Engineering ambassador participates in Herff Horizons, a mentoring program sponsored by the U.S. National Science Foundation that pairs Herff students with local engineering and technical professionals who serve as mentors for one academic semester.
And Woodall may even be able to help some of those students follow her path into the construction industry. Flintco hires interns during the summer. Though Woodall does not work directly with them, they do sit in on her scheduling meetings and relay scheduling information to her, as well as communicate with trade partners regarding the status of work and progress and gain firsthand knowledge of the construction industry.
Through her mentorship, Woodall said she’s trying to replicate the experience her instructors provided.
“The experience and the faculty—Dr. Surbrook, Ms. Moses, Dr. Banning, Professor Hewitt—I could go on and on. So many people within engineering in general were part of my development. They helped me. They coached me and there were a lot of mentorship opportunities there and growth as far my professionalism. The Herff College of Engineering provided me with a lot of preparation for what I’m doing today,” Woodall said.