Robert Prince, vice president of transit business development at AECOM Transportation, spoke with transportation students at NDSU April 30 about a variety of transit issues. He also incorporated a message about diversity.
Drawing from his experience in the transit industry, Prince discussed the challenges of leading transit organizations, the state of good repair in our nation’s transportation systems, and differences between working in the public and private sectors of transportation. In addition to his time at AECOM, Prince has 25 years of experience with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority where he held numerous positions, including the role of general manager. Prince also discussed his experiences working his way up the ranks at MBTA and difficulties he faced as the agency’s first black general manager.
With AECOM, Prince is involved with national transit issues, focusing on the state of good repair, bus rapid transit development, capital needs assessments, security analyses and new-system operations start-up. AECOM is an international company, providing professional technical and management support services to a broad range of markets, including transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, water and government. The company employs about 45,000 people in 130 countries.
“His insight is very helpful for the students who are planning to get a job in any transportation field, said Nimish Dharmadhikari, an NDSU transportation and logistics doctoral candidate. “He discussed how to perform everyday tasks, how to manage the workforce as a manager and finally how to work ethically and exhibit leadership qualities.”
Prince made the presentation as part of TL 786, a public transportation course taught by Jill Hough, director of the Small Urban and Rural Transit Center at NDSU. Prince also was a part of the mentor program for NDSU students in the course. The program pairs industry experts with students, and Prince mentored Ankush Agrawal, a doctoral candidate in transportation and logistics.
“I understand the challenges the industry and workplace pose and now I find myself better equipped and ready to face them,” Agrawal said. “Talking to mentors rewards you with a new perspective.”
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.