Justin Mills, a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, recently graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and is already working as an assistant engineer with the City of Beaumont’s Public Works Department.
Raised in California, Mills is contributing to infrastructure projects in the same communities where he grew up, including Beaumont Sports Park, where he once played youth football — bringing his education full circle through public service.
During his time at Cal Poly Pomona, Mills earned recognition as an Iana Williams President’s Scholar and received the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Donald G. Wells Memorial Endowed Scholarship. He also completed internships in public works and environmental engineering, and has remained committed to mentoring younger students, including returning to coach football at his high school alma mater.
“I’ve benefitted from people who supported me along the way, and I want to be that support for the next generation,” Mills said.
While his work is rooted in Southern California, Mills represents the growing presence and contributions of Choctaw citizens across the country, particularly in STEM fields and community-focused careers.
For more of Mill’s story, visit cpp.edu/news/ and entering Justin Mills in the search bar.