NJIT Makes Water Protection Leaders

How a Civil and Environmental Engineering Master’s Student is Preparing to Safeguard Our Waterways

For Edward Grimsland, the path to becoming a civil and environmental engineer didn’t begin in a classroom or with a job posting.

It began at home, with family.

“My father is a quality control inspector at a plastics manufacturer. Before that, he was a machinist,” Grimsland says. “And my godfather is an architect. So, I’ve always been familiar with what these careers can bring.”

That, he says, includes making a difference through problem-solving, quality craftsmanship and a deep curiosity about infrastructure.

“I always wanted something honorable, something that made a real impact,” Grimsland says. “I wanted to become someone who develops infrastructure in a way that serves the community and helps protects our natural resources.”

To make it happen, Grimsland pursued two parallel paths. He built a career in water resources management and enrolled in NJIT’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) for postgraduate studies. His coursework has already translated directly to his role, giving him advanced skills to boost system efficiency, ensure regulatory compliance and drive data‑driven decisions.

Safeguarding Water & Communities

Grimsland is an assistant engineer at the Rockaway Valley Regional Sewerage Authority (RVRSA), a public wastewater treatment facility in Morris County, New Jersey.

RVRSA is no small operation. It treats 12 million gallons of wastewater per day for 10 municipalities, an essential service that protects public health and preserves environmental quality.

“It’s a big responsibility,” Grimsland says. “Every decision we make affects the environment and the health of our communities.”

His role encompasses a wide range of tasks, including:

• Permitting: Grimsland issues and reviews permits for anyone connecting to the sewer system, from large residential developments to commercial projects.
• Flow Data Analysis: He monitors and analyzes data from 31 metering chambers that track wastewater flow.
• Stormwater & Spill Prevention Management: He manages the facility’s stormwater and spill prevention plans to keep operations in compliance with state and federal standards.
• Regulatory Coordination: He helps facilitate the complex paperwork and data submissions required by state agencies for major projects.

“Being in water resources isn’t just about managing systems. It’s also about being a good steward of the environment,” he says. “I want to be part of building something that improves people’s lives and protects the natural world.”

Why NJIT’s CEE?

When Grimsland decided to pursue graduate education, he weighed his options carefully. He knew he needed a program that could elevate his technical knowledge. He also needed one that fit with his full-time career and aligned with his long-term goals.

“I took some time after my undergraduate degree before I went into my master’s,” Grimsland says. “I wanted to find what I wanted to specialize in. And as I grew in my career, I knew I wanted to do something a little more environmental and water-related—and only one school really had that.”

NJIT’s CEE quickly emerged as the clear choice. There were many reasons why. The following stand out:

1. Specialized Programs for Targeted Growth
   “NJIT offers so many specializations,” Grimsland says. “As I grew in my career, I knew I wanted to focus on water and environmental systems, and NJIT had exactly what I was looking for.”

2. Reputation for Technical Excellence
   NJIT’s long-standing reputation as a leader in engineering and technology education carried significant weight in his decision. “NJIT has a very, very good reputation,” he says. “I know a lot of personal friends who went to NJIT and had great success in their careers,” he says.

3. Convenience for Working Professionals
   “The classes are in the evening, which helps accommodate people who work full-time,” Grimsland says.

He also praised NJIT’s campus design: “It’s not like an entire sprawling campus where you have to be hoofing it from one side to the other. It’s compact, which I think is representative of the location it’s in, but it’s also convenient for the students.”

He considered other schools. But NJIT’s CEE identity as a technology-focused institution—with its laser focus on engineering, architecture and applied sciences—made it the best fit toward his goal of becoming a licensed professional engineer.

“I felt NJIT was better aligned with my engineering goals,” Grimsland says. “Engineering is what NJIT is known for. It’s what it does best.”

From Certificate to Master’s

Grimsland began his graduate journey with a certificate in hydrology and water resources engineering—a move that boosted his resume and carried a key advantage: every credit counted toward a master’s degree.

“Getting the certificate gave me an extra credential while working toward my master’s,” he says. “It was a built-in stepping stone.”

Grimsland is now working on his M.S. in environmental engineering. Classes like “Stormwater Management,” “Physical and Chemical Treatment,” and “Biological Treatment” await. Each will deepen his understanding of the systems he manages daily and equip him to make better‑informed decisions.

He’s ready to go. His NJIT certification has already prepped him for the work ahead. That’s why he says getting a certificate first, then your master’s, is worth considering.

“Not everyone is ready to jump into a full master’s program,” he says. “A certificate gives you a credential, a preview of graduate study and the flexibility to continue without losing any credits.”

Faculty Who Champion Their Students

Grimsland credits much of his success to NJIT’s dedicated faculty, who combine academic rigor with real-world expertise.

He names Professor Yuan Ding as a standout instructor: “She’s very knowledgeable and kind. I was fortunate to take two classes with her, which was great for continuity in my studies.”

He also highlights Professor Fadi Karaa, who serves as his academic advisor. “He’s been a strong advocate for me and I’m sure many other students. He fights for the students, and that means a lot.”

Like many NJIT grad students, Grimsland values the program’s focus on working professionals. “The professors understand that many of us aren’t full-time students,” he says. “They know we have jobs, families and lives outside of school. They’re flexible when it matters. That makes all the difference.”

Looking Forward

Reflecting on his experience, Grimsland is both grateful and excited.

“I’ve enjoyed my time at NJIT so far, and I’m looking forward to the upcoming semesters,” he says. “This program is helping me grow—not just as an engineer, but as a professional who can make a meaningful impact in water resources and environmental stewardship.”

His journey reflects what sets NJIT’s CEE apart. The curriculum is built to address real-world challenges. The faculty is deeply committed to student success. And the program’s structure empowers the ambitious goals of working professionals.

“I want to build something that serves the community and protects the environment,” Grimsland says. “NJIT is helping me do exactly that with its graduate certificate and master’s program.”

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