Construction Management Department - Journeyman International: Case Study of an Academic - Philanthropic Partnership

Over the years university educators and philanthropic organizations have strived to come together to achieve the goals and objectives of both. Construction management programs are often seen as a prime potential partner to assist with community construction projects which benefit non-profit organizations. At the same time, construction management educators have strived to provide their students with service-learning opportunities that are construction related, interdisciplinary, and project-based. This paper presents and describes the origins and functionality of a new model which integrates a university construction management senior project program with an international non- profit organization to provide design, engineering, and pre-construction services to international community construction projects in third-world countries. This case study was developed through accounts provided by the authors (originators of the program) and a series of student evaluations and surveys from twenty-three construction management students who participated in the program over a four-year-time period. The results and analysis describe a highly successful program through a model which benefits both the non-profit and educational institution through interdisciplinary collaboration and service learning. This paper is beneficial to educators and non-profit organizations who are looking for new and effective ways of achieving similar goals and objectives for both institutions.