‘Authenticity, Relevance and Compassion’

Funding supports humanitarian engineering projects within Navajo Nation

Villanova’s Center for Humanitarian Engineering and International Development (C4HE) is recognized for its international service-learning programs, which are active in 12 countries. Thanks to the ongoing support of Northrop Grumman, C4HE established its first domestic program with partners from the Four Corners region of the Navajo Nation.

Since 2021, C4HE has worked with the Buell Ranch community to explore potential solutions to water scarcity issues. More than two dozen Villanova Engineering students and faculty members have contributed their expertise to projects, including the design of an elevated water-intake system, a surface reservoir for storing water and a high-efficiency drip irrigation system.

The partnership with the Buell Ranch and the nonprofit Horses for Heroes–New Mexico Inc. seeks to address water shortages through educational workshops, technical assistance and materials to construct sustainable water systems. Owned and operated by Alroy Billiman and his extended family, the Buell Ranch is home to 250 members of the Navajo Nation. Billiman, a veteran of the Iraq War, graduated from Horses for Heroes–NM, which supports veterans working toward post-traumatic growth.

“Working with the students from Villanova reminds me of being a squad leader in Iraq,” Billiman says. “When you work on a project together, the relationships and camaraderie that get developed are very authentic.”

The underlying objective is to engage the communities in Sawmill, Navajo Red Lake and Crystal, on the borders of New Mexico and Arizona, in sustainable agricultural practices, specifically the production of indigenous livestock and crops. This sustainable agricultural initiative is strongly aligned with the funding priorities of Northrop Grumman, which include military and veterans, the environment and STEM education.

In 2021, Northrop Grumman provided seed funding to launch the partnership, augmenting its support with an additional grant in 2022. After C4HE was invited to submit a follow-up proposal in 2023, Northrop Grumman tripled the size of its initial grant award, allowing for growth in the program’s scope and impact.

Over the Fall 2023 semester, Bridget LaSala ’21 CE, ’22 MSCE volunteered to serve as an on-site project lead for the initiative. LaSala led a team of Engineering students and community members who optimized the inlet system and assessed the potential of four wells on the ranch—two of which were deemed viable for agricultural use. Next steps include the installation of solar panels and solarpowered pumps at these two wells. The team believes the wells and inlet system will be sufficient to support the planned alfalfa fields and 60 head of cattle.

“Operation Wildcat—the team from Villanova—is like family,” says the Rev. Rick Iannucci, OCF, former Green Beret and founding executive director of Horses for Heroes–NM. “They have all the elements of success: authenticity, relevance and compassion. When you start with the heart and trust your gut, then you are on the right path and have the courage to act. Only then can you use your intellectual ability to make a difference.”

LaSala, who participated in similar international immersion projects in Ghana and Ecuador as an undergraduate, says this domestic service-learning initiative was truly a unique experience.

“There are communities closer to home, like the Navajo Nation, that face similar resource constraints as our international partners,” she says. “Working with Alroy and his clan, with Rick and other community members was incredible and eye-opening. The entire experience allowed me to apply what I’ve learned in engineering courses and have greater, lasting impact.”