¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ

Skip to Main Content
Campus Announcements

¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ launches new Construction Management minor, course offering, and scholarship

Miami’s new Construction Management minor prepares ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs across disciplines for careers in construction

Benton Hall
The new Construction Management minor is available through the Department of Architecture and Interior Design, in partnership with the College of Engineering and Computing.
Campus Announcements

¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ launches new Construction Management minor, course offering, and scholarship

Miami’s new Construction Management minor prepares ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs across disciplines for careers in construction

¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs interested in careers in construction now have a new academic pathway and financial support to get there, thanks to a new , a dedicated introductory course, and a scholarship in partnership with the Spirit of Construction Foundation.

The minor is available through the Department of Architecture and Interior Design, in partnership with the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC). Colleen Bush, assistant dean of external relations and communications for CEC, proposed the minor in 2023.

In her work connecting CEC with industry partners, Bush heard firsthand what construction companies were looking for in new hires.

"I heard from many construction companies that they love to hire engineers for project managers and that made me realize that many of the ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs at ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ would thrive in the construction industry," Bush said.

The minor would appeal to many ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈs interested in entering the construction field after graduation. and majors can evaluate and automate construction processes, while majors can use drones to map sites and document construction progress.

Those majoring in , , , Geographic Information Science, , and can also find success in construction.

“Really anyone who is interested in working in the construction field can benefit from this minor and the Introduction to Construction Management class,” Bush said.
John Sodergren
John Sodergren, a Mechanical Engineering major, received a scholarship through the Spirit of Construction Foundation.
Additionally, CEC and the have partnered to establish a scholarship supporting the next generation of construction professionals and engineers. The Spirit of Construction is a coalition of individuals and companies committed to the construction industry’s growth and prosperity, with a mission to create career opportunities through charitable giving, education programs, advocacy, and professional guidance.

Junior John Sodergren and senior Coen Reed, both majors, were the inaugural Miami recipients, honored at the Spirit of Construction Foundation’s inaugural Scholarship Breakfast on Sept. 24.

“The scholarship has allowed me to focus on my studies and NROTC commitments while worrying less about my finances. It’s helped me prepare for the future as well,” Sodergren said.

Sodergren is in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) and has signed off to be a Nuclear Power Officer for the Navy after graduation, working to improve nuclear reactors on aircraft carriers.

Reed is part of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate (NUPOC) program, where he is preparing for a role in managing the lifecycle of the Navy’s nuclear fleet after graduation. He’s also a member of the Lilly Leadership Institute, a multi-year certificate program focusing on personal and strategic leadership.

Accompanying the new minor is the CEC 325 Introduction to Construction Management course. The main topics of the course include learning to read construction drawings and terminology, as well as studying safety protocols, construction law, and contract management.

Students will also learn about essential construction methods, equipment, estimates and costs, financial planning, scheduling, project control, quality assurance, structural systems, and mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) systems. Construction professionals will join the class to talk about their careers, specific projects, standard construction activities, and provide site visits.
Established in 1809, ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg. Interested in learning more about the College of Engineering and Computing? Visit the website for more information.