CMAdvisor May/June 2010 - 4

Interest in CMAA Student Chapters Soars
Five new Chapters Formed Recently
Many students working toward Construction Management or industry-related degrees are adding value to their academic experience by joining the growing network of CMAA Student Chapters—which has expanded to 23 from 17 student chapters since last year. The New York University Schack Institute of Real Estate is one of the newest schools to form a student chapter, under the direction of NYU Clinical Associate Professor and author John Eschemuller, PE. “The NYU CMAA Student Chapter has a cross section of CM professionals who want to improve their education, experience, and professional credentials to be able to meet the needs of the ever-changing and dynamic world of Construction Management locally in the New York City metropolitan area, the U.S.A., and internationally,” Eschemuller says. The first official chapter meeting, and dedication ceremony, was held in April, with a full agenda designed to promote participation in the chapter as well as the CMIT process. About 25 people, including faculty members, chapter officers, and members from the regional Metropolitan New York/ New Jersey Chapter—including Jeffrey Hitt, PE, CCM, and Isaac Washington, CMIT—attended the meeting to support the launch of the chapter. Another young chapter, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, recently had a rebirth of sorts. A downside to operating within the academic cycle is maintaining chapter leadership. This chapter, following a strong start in 2008, became inactive after its officers and administrators graduated. A recent initiative by current Chapter President David Sievers and his colleagues has resulted in the chapter’s formal recognition as a campus organization. The University of Illinois Student Chapter has a target of 40 members by next year. So far, the chapter has held one recruiting event and a meet-and-greet, and plans to feature guest speakers and a field trip during the upcoming semester. Students have expressed interest in incorporating the CMIT training into their curriculum, and Sievers notes that they will pursue it next fall. “Tom Nutter (Chicago Chapter) has been a great help mentoring our chapter and answering questions,” Sievers says. “The high interest among students within the first couple of months has been the most exciting aspect of the chapter so far.” The Colorado State University CMAA Student Chapter also formed in 2008. There were eight other student chapters relating to the construction industry at the time, but Assistant Professor Mehmet Ozbek “felt that such a chapter was essential for a Construction Management department to promote the CM profession, and thus I established the chapter.” His experience as a founding officer of the Virginia Tech Student Chapter, as well as assistance from a cadre of undergraduate and graduate students, helped in initiating the one at Colorado State University. According to Ozbek, the success of the chapter depends on the commitment of student officers and the faculty advisor. “My suggestion for a faculty advisor who is willing to create a student chapter is to hand pick dedicated students and guide them along the way until the chapter becomes self-sustaining,” he says. Colorado State University’s chapter maintains active. Officers meet every week to plan the monthly event, which is open to all students and typically attracts 30-40 students. As many as 100 students attend special events, such as the distinguished speaker series. Students have opportunities to interact with the regional Colorado Chapter. Mitch Arndt, CCM, of the Colorado Chapter serves as student chapter liaison to help organize some of the student chapter events. Introducing students to the CMIT program and providing guidance in achieving certification are important chapter goals. Two students at Colorado State University have earned the CMIT and many more are pursuing it. Additional core values of the chapter include engaging in community outreach activities and fostering leadership skills in CMAA student members. At the Construction Management Club at Wentworth Institute of Technology, Faculty Advisor and Associate Professor Scott Sumner, CCM, echoes Ozbek’s sentiment that faculty involvement is critical in providing students with the appropriate tools to shape their student chapter. “The co-op program at Wentworth usually means the club loses its impact as the students near graduation,” Sumner explains. “What I have done was ensure that the club does activities using students to lead these activities.” Each school year, the club: Holds a minimum of four meetings; features two guest speakers; offers two field trips; conducts a fundraiser; sponsors the CM mentoring program; and hosts a reception to honor graduating seniors and the professionals who participated in the students’ capstone projects. The CMAA New England Chapter participates in the mentoring program. “The best part of the club,” Sumner says, “is watching the students meet CMAA members and begin the networking process.” More information about CMAA Student Chapters and details on their respective programs is available here.

CMAdvisor May/June

CMAdvisor May/June 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CMAdvisor May/June 2010