Beyond the Industry Advisory Board: Increasing the Role of Industry Engagement to Support Program Quality

During the last number of years, States’ support for higher education has declined significantly. Over the next decade, higher education will continue to face the challenges of state revenue funding constraints, changes in the public perception of higher education, and the effectiveness of higher education in preparing young men and women for a career after graduation. With their natural connection to industry, engineering and construction education programs are poised to lead the way in a new model for the future of higher education. Construction management education by its nature is connected to the construction industry. In fact, construction management was created by the construction industry. As a result, today graduates from construction management programs across the U.S. enjoy almost 100% employment, higher salary than many other disciplines, and a great career. Construction management however does not truly fit the traditional model of higher education. Now, the traditional model of higher education is being challenged and this creates an opportunity for engineering and construction management education to introduce a model that connects the needs of the marketplace to the education provided to the students. This paper examines one construction management program’s approach to industry engagement throughout the program in order to increase the quality of education provided to the students. It highlights a cooperative partnership model between the academic program and the construction industry that goes beyond the limits of the traditional Industry Advisory Board of most engineering and construction programs. The results have been impressive for the program, the students, and the industry. The program has been able to stabilize its funding, improve the quality of the education for the students, and make a difference in the lives of those in need in the community. Students have received an excellent education with real-world applications not only on topics required by accreditation but in areas well beyond. Industry partners are hiring jobready graduates who are poised to become the future leaders of the construction industry.