Heather Collins ‘95 is a proud alumna of Loyola Marymount University. She currently serves as the Assistant Chief of Operations at the Metropolitan Water District, a major water wholesaler in Southern California. She was also just elected to the volunteer role of President of the American Water Works Association. Her secret? The transformative power of her LMU education, where she had a practical, hands-on experience that benefits her to this day.
Collins graduated from LMU with her master’s in civil engineering in 1995, after completing her undergraduate studies in the same field at Cal Poly, Pomona. She was drawn to LMU for its unique blend of foundational education, research, and practical applications, facilitated by professors from the industry. The flexibility of the program allowed her to work full-time while pursuing her degree, applying her learnings immediately to her work.
The LMU program fostered a networking environment from the outset. Collins’ classmates were not just academic peers but also professionals in her sector. Many of them have remained in touch — there are even a handful of Seaver College alumni at the Metropolitan Water District.
“In essence, we’re all here, working together collectively, which benefits not only us but also the sector. We often discussed current events and local projects in our classes, which made the learning experience more relevant and engaging. The program’s focus on immediate practical application is one of its main attractions,” she said.
Collins emphasizes the importance of developing a range of skills in one’s career, from having an elevator speech to understanding the workings of one’s sector or industry. She believes in the power of networking, which she perfected as a Seaver student.
“With my network, I can solve problems in just a couple of phone calls,” she said. “You learn many skills in school, especially when working in teams. These skills are applicable throughout your life. You always want an effective team, but sometimes there might be a member who isn’t stepping up. This is no different in college than in other places. You learn how to deal with it, how to communicate about it, and how to navigate it collectively with your teammates and professors.”
Her passion for leading the American Water Works Association stems from its importance in the sector and its role as an authoritative voice on water sector areas and needs. But maybe most importantly, she believes in giving back to the industry and the folks making it run, who she refers to as her “water peeps.”
“We’re refilling the pipeline because we have so many generations in the workforce these days. We’re letting them know about the various careers in the water sector, whether they want to be an emergency response person, a lawyer, a doctor, a communication specialist, or an outdoor worker,” she said.
In recent years, Collins has been involved with the LMU Civil and Environmental Engineering Department’s Council for Industry Partnerships (CIP), mentoring Seaver students working on various research and academic projects. She said it has been a rewarding way to stay connected with the academic community. She has also adapted to significant evolutions in communication and networking tools, helping current students navigate this new environment with technology versus in-person networking skills.
“People often ask how I manage to take on so much. I tell them it’s not about taking on more; it’s about doing what complements what I already do. If you love what you do and are passionate about it, everything else seamlessly falls into place.”