Just nine years after graduating from the University of Arkansas with a degree in mechanical engineering, Jessica Hollinsworth is leading the construction project for one of the most important facilities on the university's campus — the new home of the Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research (I³R).

Since graduating from the U of A, Hollinsworth has spent her career working with CDI Contractors where she has served in numerous roles as a project engineer, field engineer, project manager and now project superintendent. She said she knew at a young age that she liked using her creativity to solve problems and wanted to be a hands-on worker.

"My dad was a carpenter. He made cabinets and stuff growing up," Hollinsworth said. "I always just watched and got to experience it behind him. I found it fun to be like, 'this is the tool he needs next.' And I think that just comes naturally and allows me to watch the building come together and know what needs to come next, too."

Today, the innate desire to see something come to fruition from just an idea and materials is fuel for Hollinsworth — as well as the engineers and architects on her team — during the process of creating the 144,000-square-foot building for I³R. She said there is also an element of pride when overseeing construction of a state-of-the-art facility where research that improves lives will happen.

In fact, Hollinsworth and her team have real and tangible sources of motivation. The innovative research that I³R is striving to achieve is already making a positive impact — even before the new physical space opens. In May, I³R announced that the first Arkansan — and only the second person in the world — had received a neuro-enabled prosthetic hand system implant. The ground-breaking investigational device invented by I³R engineers restores a meaningful sense of touch and grip force to individuals with upper limb amputations. 

Neuro-Enabled Prosthetics

Scientific achievements like the neuro-enabled prosthetic hand system illustrate the positive effects that I³R can have in addressing today's challenges. The institute strives to pioneer solutions to wicked problems through convergence research across academic, industry, government, and non-profit sectors to make a positive societal impact by creating and deploying innovations to scale. And Hollinsworth said that important purpose makes it even easier to be motivated and determined to make the I³R building a structure worthy of the research that will go on inside of it.

At the same time, Hollinsworth said she brings a personal lens to every project she manages in order to deliver the highest quality product she can. And she encourages her team to adopt the same mindset every time they work on a project together.

"I always think, 'If you were building your mom's kitchen, how would you build it?' You might have a little more passion for it because it's for your mom. If I was building my mom's kitchen, I would want her to have the best kitchen possible," Hollinsworth said.

Hollinsworth is part of the 2023 Class of Honorees for the Arkansas Business 40 Under 40 list, which recognizes intriguing business and political leaders in Arkansas under the age of 40. She previously worked on the Civil Engineering Research and Education Center at the U of A, renovations at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium and even the Walmart AMP. 

Kristen Knight, U of A associate director of contracted services, said Hollinsworth's expertise and familiarity with the university — as both an alum and working on other projects on campus — have been an asset to the construction for the I³R facility.

"It is so refreshing to have someone like Jessica at the helm of this process," Knight said. "She is an exceptional problem-solver and critical-thinker, able to adapt to the variety of obstacles that present themselves. Projects like these need people like Jessica."

Focus on Problem-Solving

As a problem solver, Hollinsworth said she brings a black-and-white outlook on the challenges that arise while working on projects, which has also helped her remain focused and straightforward when deciding next steps. And that approach has been crucial in a project the size of I³R and will continue to be an asset in the months to come.

Knight represents the U of A's department of Facilities Management and its role in the process of building the new I³R facility, alongside James Milner, construction project specialist. Both Knight and Milner have worked extensively with Hollinsworth since 2021, teaming up with I³R, the university and CDI to ensure the facility is an exceptional finished product.

"Jessica has taken on this massive project and brought a poised and steady demeanor that has allowed everyone involved to feel comfortable and confident to play their part," Milner said. "It is her leadership, direction and honesty that has kept this project on track and will lead to its successful completion."

Hollinsworth agreed with Knight that the experience she has gained in the many different roles she has taken on is part of why her coworkers respect her decision-making and have confidence in her leadership.

"I've found that being myself naturally, the respect from others just came out on its own," she said. "I've found my career has grown by not making myself singled out by being a woman."

Though she is the first female superintendent in CDI's history, Hollinsworth said she is not alone in the process. Several of the engineers and architects on her team are also women, something that was largely uncommon in the past for construction projects. But as more female engineers and architects earn their degrees and enter the workforce, the male-dominated field will most likely see management and design teams looking more and more like Hollinsworth's.

"This team, which includes several outstanding women, has taken on the challenges of building this institute with confidence and ambition," Knight said. "They have worked together to achieve a design and execution strategy that will result in one of the finest research institutes in the country, while refusing to be intimidated by the task and instead embracing the opportunity to create some phenomenal work."

An advantage that Hollinsworth has found in being superintendent is her ability to encourage and support others on her team. Hollinsworth mentioned her admiration for Razorback softball coach Courtney Deifel and how her leadership style both encourages and pushes her team to perform at its best — a strategy Hollinsworth hopes to deploy with her team.

"To me, I find it valuable to lift other people up — to have their backs," she said. "This seat that I've grown to be in, I'm able to help remove the culture of women against women and instead work on building each other up."

When considering the potential shift of seeing more females in the industry she works in, Hollinsworth said she strives to do her part to encourage young women to work in design and construction management. One way she does it is by going to U of A career fairs to introduce the idea of construction work and design to young, female engineering students.

"There is so much opportunity when you're that age," Hollinsworth said. And she finds value in showcasing her side of engineering that a lot of students might not be aware of when trying to decide on a career route.

Comaraderie Among Team

As for her current team working on the I³R building, Hollinsworth said there is great camaraderie among all members of the team. She added that her team has received great support from I³R Executive Director Ranu Jung and the entire I³R team, as well as the university's Facilities Management department, noting specifically Knight and Milner.

"Jessica and the entire CDI construction team have been outstanding in giving shape to the institute's future physical space," said Jung, who is tasked with bringing the institute's vision to life. "Jessica's leadership has been integral to the project's success to date.

Likewise, U of A Facilities Management is appreciative of Hollinsworth and her dedication to the project, both Knight and Milner agree.

"The partnership between U of A Facilities Management, CDI and I³R has been vital to the success of building this structure," Milner said. "Jessica, in particular, has been a valuable connection during this process, and we are very appreciative of her efforts to make I³R the best it can be."

I³R recently hosted a topping out ceremony, marking a significant construction milestone achieved through the collaboration between the institute, the university and CDI. The work continues for Hollinsworth, Knight, Milner and hundreds of other workers, eager to see the day their efforts result in a facility where its work will have significant impact in the scientific world. The I³R building is expected to be completed in late 2024.