Building Momentum in Construction Management

Washkewicz College of Engineering’s Construction Management Program and Project Delivery Institute (CM/PDI) are closing their first year with notable growth, including strong enrollment, new faculty, hands-on project-based learning, and the launch of the Digital Modeling Lab. This summer, the inaugural CM/PDI Summer Co-op Program will give students multidisciplinary experience supported by more than twenty industry and community mentors.

As the Construction Management Program and the Project Delivery Institute (CM/PDI) at Cleveland State University conclude their inaugural year, we are proud to celebrate a period of significant growth and momentum. Since launching one year ago, the program surpassed its enrollment plans for the first academic year, expanded its faculty with the addition of two dedicated Construction Management faculty members, and established a strong foundation for experiential and industry-connected learning. Throughout the academic year, Construction Management and Civil Engineering students engaged in project-based learning activities that simulated real-world capital project delivery challenges, working collaboratively on integrated design, construction, sustainability, and project management scenarios. These experiences have strengthened the connection between classroom learning and professional practice while advancing CSU's mission of preparing the next generation of industry leaders.

The first year saw the establishment of the Digital Modeling Lab. The lab provides students with access to industry-standard technologies for Building Information Modeling (BIM), digital simulation, project visualization, and collaborative project delivery. Developed through a shared-resource model with CSU’s Energy Simulation and Building Performance research group, the facility enables students to leverage advanced computing resources, and access energy modeling expertise, and immersive visualization technologies. Students are gaining hands-on experience using BIM platforms, simulation tools, Unity-based visualization environments, and VR/AR technologies to develop, analyze, and communicate project solutions. This collaborative ecosystem promotes interdisciplinary learning while exposing students to the digital technologies that are increasingly transforming the design, construction, and operation of the built environment.

Another major milestone this summer is the launch of the CM/PDI Inaugural Summer Co-op Program, a multidisciplinary experiential learning initiative bringing together students from Construction Management, Civil Engineering, and Finance. The 12-week program is structured in three progressive stages. During the first stage, students develop fluency in industry-leading digital tools, including BIM, Autodesk Forma, Procore, Primavera, and Revit-based modeling applications. The second stage focuses on ideation and the formulation of multidisciplinary project concepts that can serve as the nucleus for future senior design capstone projects addressing industry and community challenges. In the final stage, students prepare research methodologies, technical communications, and implementation frameworks that establish the groundwork for future project development. The program has received strong support from more than twenty industry and community mentors from across the Cleveland region, whose guidance and expertise are helping students connect academic learning with the realities of professional practice while strengthening partnerships between the university, industry, and the broader community.

To learn more about the Construction Management Program, please visit https://engineering.csuohio.edu/civil/construction-management.