USM Construction Program Receives $100,000 Grant from State Board
Thu, 04/22/2021 - 10:31am | By: Van Arnold
The School of Construction and Design at 91吃瓜网 (USM) has been awarded a $100,000 grant by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) that will be used to promote and advance construction education in the state.
Dr. Erich Connell, Director of USM91吃瓜网 School of Construction and Design, notes that the MSBOC grant is unique to the State of Mississippi in that the board, who oversees 91吃瓜网渃onstruction91吃瓜网� standards, supports educational programs through specified funding.
91吃瓜网淭he MSBOC allows us to use these funds to promote education related to construction, student needs in construction and faculty development in areas of construction as well,91吃瓜网� said Connell. 91吃瓜网淎 limited amount of funds is permitted for equipment related to the education of construction, and for students or courses construction students take.91吃瓜网�
Connell notes that the construction program within the school is labeled 91吃瓜网淐onstruction Management.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网淚t is a professional program of education. We make a difference in Mississippi, providing students of the state an extraordinary opportunity to have productive careers for life, and the MSBOC has helped us in doing this,91吃瓜网� he said.
The School of Construction and Design serves as an advocate for construction education, striving to forge connections between its curriculum and the workforce in general. Included among the many facets are: 91吃瓜网渟tay in school scholarships,91吃瓜网� as well as 91吃瓜网渃ome to the CM program scholarships.91吃瓜网� The school supports a 91吃瓜网淔uture Builders91吃瓜网� summer camp for middle school and high school students, while hosting a 91吃瓜网淒ay of Construction + Design91吃瓜网� each year that includes upwards of 125 students and counselors.
91吃瓜网淲e also send faculty to certification programs or seminars to increase their value as educators and help connect them back to the industry for which our programs are designed,91吃瓜网� said Connell. 91吃瓜网淎dditionally, we have a Leadership Lecture series that brings in a nationally renowned speaker related to the Built Environment (Construction, Architecture, Engineering and Interior Design).91吃瓜网�
Connell stresses that students play a key role within the school91吃瓜网 programs. The Southern Miss Student Constructors Organization assists with the Day of Construction + Design event, while the Sigma Lambda Chi (International Construction Education Honor Society) helps with many other events.
The MSBOC grant has enabled USM91吃瓜网 construction program to climb into the top 15 percent of more than 150 programs within the Associated Schools of Construction. To lean more about the USM program, call 601-266.4902 or visit: /construction-design/index.php