History
A brief history of the Minnesota State University Moorhead Construction Management program. (i.e. -where we were, where we are now, and where we want to be)
The construction management program was originally developed as an option under the industrial technology degree in 1980. Dr. Jim Barnett was a program coordinator through the 1980s. The CM program was not a main focus of the department during this period and program enrollment range from 15 to 25 students. Mr. Scott Seltveit became program coordinator in 1990. Curriculum changes were made in the early 1990s the focus the CM coursework poured commercial building construction and heavily integrated the use of computers. By the mid-1990s, enrollment had grown to approximately 40 students.
The CM program applied for candidate status seeking accreditation from both the American council of construction education (ACCE) and the national association of industrial technology (NAIT). NAIT accreditation was earned in the fall of 1996 while ACCE accreditation was granted in the summer of 1999. In the latter part of the 1990s, program enrollment is grown to approximately 65 students. Also, during this time period the department made significant strides in updating computer facilities and the technological delivery of the curriculum.
In the summer of 1999, Dr. Norma Andersen joined the CM faculty. That increased the number of full-time faculty dedicated to the CM program to 2 1/2. Mr. Scott Seltveit and Dr. Norma Andersen are our full-time CM faculty, while Dr. Ron Williams is 1/2 time dedicated to construction management. Most of the classes taught in the department range from 20 to 30 students. Minnesota State University Moorhead has made it clear that their mission is teaching students and therefore the faculty can devote their time and energy toward this and period.
As we look to the future, it is our desire to create a ditch for ourselves in CM education. We want to be known for quality of instruction (focus on teaching) and we would like to modify the curriculum to encompass more of a heavy/highway and industrial focus. We certainly w will continue to incorporate commercial building within the curriculum, but there is a significant demand in the construction industry towards heavy/highway and industrial. We believe this can differentiate our program from other CM programs in the region. Please be aware that we are not an engineering program and do not wish to be one. But we do have the faculty expertise to teach any technical component that is needed.
Dr. Ron Williams has a Ph.D. in civil engineering with an emphasis in environmental and WT/WWT. Mr. Scott Seltveit is working on a Ph.D. in civil engineering with the transportation emphasis. With support from the advisory board, I believe we have the resources available in the capability to teach some construction topics not available in other CM programs.
The CM faculty would like to see the program grow to between 100 to 120 students in the next five years. At this level of enrollment, there would be a sufficient number of graduates each year that would drop construction companies to interview on-campus. Furthermore, this level of enrollment would enhance our position within the university and enable program to bring in additional faculty. The should be primary goal of the CM faculty and the advisory board.
Another goal of the CM program would be to significantly increase the interaction between industry and the CM faculty/students, both the classroom and out of the field. The more we can incorporate field experiences as part of the curriculum, the more students will benefit.
This narrative was meant to be an overview of war the program was and where it might goal in the future. Your involvement, as an advisory board member, will have a dramatic impact on the future of the CM program at Minnesota State University Moorhead.