Course Assessment Data
Assessment data from CMGT courses are automatically gathered during course grading in the Canvas learning management system. Key assignments are identified in each course, and assessment results are used to track student progress toward mastery of program outcomes and competencies. Aggregate reports of assessment data allow the program to review and maintain grading standards across the curricula.
Assessment data from Canvas are aggregated in the University’s assessment tool, HelioCampus, and assist in providing metrics to the University’s accrediting body, the Higher Learning Commission. HelioCampus integration allows curriculum mapping and outcomes alignment from either HelioCampus or Canvas. Data is available real-time as soon as course-level ratings of student learning mastery are completed by faculty in Canvas.
Study Abroad 2024
In January 2024, the tenth Pura Vida Study Abroad program in Costa Rica completed a comprehensive facility and business evaluation proposal for AGECO, an organization that provides opportunities for engagement, activities and career transitions for the older Costa Rican demographic. Students completed a facility and business operations proposal—in Spanish, in colones (currency), and in metric—in two weeks. This report was presented to the Board of AGECO with many actionable items, along with solutions to some particularly challenging facility issues, including Code violations, flooding and drainage problems and major pool repairs. The experience is not merely academic, but also cultural, incorporating various local events and site visits that make the experience unique.
Further information: Costa Rica: CCAPS Pura Vida Tour
ACE Mentor Program
The ACE Mentor program is a national program founded in the early 1990s, geared toward mentoring high school students into the industry. In addition, it provides academic scholarships and is widely supported by local industry. As part of our program’s outreach, we sponsor the ACE mentorship final presentations on the University of Minnesota campus, last hosted in-person March 2024.
In 2020, the CCAPS video technology team prepared a video in conjunction with Mortenson Construction focused on ACE students applying for the ACE scholarship. The video featured alumna Karli Schmitt and a former ACE participant, along with a national scholarship recipient, both of whom worked for Mortenson as interns. The video is now hosted on the ACE Twin Cities YouTube channel.
Construction History Society of America Academic Collaboration
CHSA is an international organization dedicated to the study of the history of construction, and the University of Minnesota Construction Management program supports CHSA with time and talent. Serving on the American organizational board of this British-based group, Peter Hilger continues to coordinate affiliation with other organizations, including the American Institute of Architects (AIA) MN State Convention, and regional CMAA meetings. Our construction history course, The Construction Industry Through Time and Tomorrow, is one of the few such courses in the nation, co-taught with Mr. Brian Bowen, a national expert from Georgia Tech.
Inspired by the now historic lockdowns, a series of webinars were hosted by Peter Hilger supported with technical talent provided by Paul McLagan of the Academic Technology team, all of which attracted a record number of registrants and is now an annual event. The webinars were:
- Quaranta Giorni and Other Tales of Construction History (May 29, 2020)
- Brick by Brick and Other Tales of Construction History (December 4, 2020)
- Metals Through Time and Other Tales of Construction History (February 19, 2021)
- Structure and Materials and Other tales of Construction History (November 5, 2021)
- Material Selection and Other tales of Construction History (January 21, 2022)
- Building to Boats: The Way Things Worked – Panel Discussion with Thomas Leslie and noted illustrator David Macauley (not recorded)
- Contribution of Military Architecture to Building Technology (November 10, 2023) (not recorded)
- Constructing Histories: Intersecting Views on Architecture, Technology and Culture (March 8, 2024) (not recorded)
Two more webinars are planned for 2024–25.
Upper Midwest Collegiate Construction League: Construct*ium
The University of Minnesota Construction Management program led the initiative to form a collaborative organization, not unlike collegiate sports leagues, consisting of the nine collegiate institutions in the upper midwest with programs in Construction Management: University of Wisconsin-Stout; Minnesota State University, Mankato; Minnesota State University Moorhead, North Dakota State University; South Dakota State University; Iowa State University; University of Northern Iowa; Dunwoody Institute of Technology; and the University of Minnesota. Further, St. Cloud State University and the South Dakota School of Mines have also joined the League and started to participate in events. In 2015, the Minnesota Construction Association (MCA) moved forward by officially organizing the group, registering the trade name and domain, and launching a website. The MCA’s Academic Outreach Committee is now officially known as Construct*ium.
The Construct*ium/MCA Leadership Training Academy is held every two (odd) years that brings together students and practitioners for a series of speakers, workshops and student competitions. The next Academy event will be in April 2025.
Photo: The pennants of the Construct*ium League Schools
Minnesota Construction Association (MCA)
An outgrowth of the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) local chapter, the Minnesota Construction Association aims to serve all stakeholders in industry, as well as educators and students. They have consistently supported all regional programs with scholarships and events and offer free membership to faculty and students alike. They also host the Leadership Training Academy every two years focused on young industry professionals and students. See Construct*ium above.
Construction Management Association of America (CMAA)
Due to lack of interest from the local membership to host and manage the chapter for their benefit, the chapter is in the process of being dissolved. Members and students can still participate at the national level.
Design Build Institute of America (DBIA)
The local chapter of the Design Build Institute of America has welcomed our students and faculty into its programs and courses. Students have participated in some monthly program meetings and local construction site tours.
Quality Improvement Plan
The University of Minnesota’s reputation as a premier learning institution is well established, nationally and internationally. The University’s Construction Management program has also acquired an excellent reputation for itself through its commitment to practical, applied instruction. Our program is grounded in current industry practices and technologies. It offers a multidisciplinary approach to the real issues facing construction managers. The program’s Quality Improvement Plan outlines our process for continuous assessment and improvement of the program goals, objectives, curriculum, faculty, and resources. The Quality Improvement Plan represents collaboration with our faculty, staff, program directors, and students. It is updated annually and posted on our website as part of our Annual Report.
The Quality Improvement Plan is provided in Appendix A.
Academic Quality Plan
The Program’s Academic Quality Plan is used to measure the effectiveness of our program and how well we are meeting the program goals and mission. It lists all of our Student Learning Outcomes, along with the measurement tools we use to determine whether students are obtaining each. The Academic Quality Plan is updated annually and available to the public, as it is contained in our Annual Report.
The Academic Quality Plan is provided in Appendix B.