Marsha Swatosh is a graduate student at the University of Washington seeking a Master's degree in Civil Engineering. She has tested braced frames under cyclic loading to examine failure patterns and experimented with retrofitting methods. She is currently writing a thesis with design guidelines for retrofitting braced frames. Previously, she taught mathematics in Namibia as a Peace Corps volunteer and conducted undergraduate research on concrete testing at the University of Minnesota.

1. Marsha Swatosh
2516 24th
Ave E phone: 507.319.6659
Seattle, WA 98112 mswatosh@uw.edu
QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY
Motivated professional who is capable of working in a team or independently. Persistence, attention to detail, and
follow through have resulted in completing projects on time and with high quality. Excellent communication
skills, both written and oral. Computer skills include AutoCAD, MatLab, Abaqus, Mathematica, LaTex and Microsoft
Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
GRADUATE STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Graduate Student Researcher, University of Washington, Seattle WA, Sept. 2014 – June 2016
 Tested 5 single bay, single story braced frames under cyclic loading to examine yielding and failure patterns
 Experimented with different retrofit methods for braced frames built prior to 1988
 Currently writing a Master’s Thesis with a design guide for retrofitting braced frames
 Gained valuable experience in designing and detailing braced frames
 Increased written communication and project organization skills
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Mathematics Teacher, Peace Corps, Namibia, Southern Africa, Aug. 2011 – Dec. 2013
 Taught mathematics to approximately 200 Namibian students in 6th
and 7th
grade
 Developed a 60 page teaching manual to help future volunteers adjust to working in Namibia
 Designed, implemented, and facilitated a weekend teaching workshop for 60 Peace Corps volunteers and
Namibian counterparts
 Gained experience in project design and management as well as presentation skills
 Expanded leadership skills
Undergraduate Research Assistant, Multi-Axial Subassemblage Testing Laboratory, University of Minnesota,
Minneapolis MN, Oct. 2010 – May 2011
 Constructed concrete column and floor slab specimens for earthquake testing
 Created and tested concrete cylinders as part of my own research project to test the high strength concrete used in
the Minneapolis, MN I-35W bridge
 Wrote a paper describing my methods and results from the concrete cylinder testing
 Gained experience in written communication and project organization.
RELEVANT COURSE WORK
Capstone Design Project, MnDOT, University of Minnesota, Jan. 2011 – May 2011
 Worked as a team of four to perform an option study of three different bridge types
 Designed a pre-stressed, precast concrete bridge and wrote a paper detailing the findings
 Gained experience in technical bridge design, as well as written and oral communication skills.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
 B.S. in Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota, May 2011, GPA: 3.68
 B.S. in Physics, University of Wisconsin, May 2010, minor in Mathematics, GPA: 3.74
 University of Washington, current graduate student working towards MS in Civil Engineering, expected
graduation: June 2015, GPA: 3.81