CONSTRUCTION MANAGMENT
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The Dordt Difference Construction managers coordinate the construction, engineering, business, and architectural sides of construction projects. As trusted advisors to all, they consider the owners’ needs, the contractors’ means and methods, and the architects’ and engineers’ design intent in a way that allows each party in the project to communicate and work together productively. A construction manager helps get projects completed on time and on budget and enables all parties to collaborate in a way that demonstrates the value of teamwork, service to one another, and service to the Lord. Construction managers need a unique skillset to be able to help everyone working on the project work effectively together—skills that will allow the project’s owner to navigate the complex decisions that need to be made during the design, bidding, and construction process. Dordt’s program brings together expertise from our engineering and business programs to create a set of courses that will help you develop the interdiscipinary competencies you’ll need to be a construction manager. Dordt College is one of few Christian colleges to offer construction management courses. We’ll challenge you to commit yourself to personal integrity and to make service to the Lord the reason for your work. We’ll help you become discerning about how to break down barriers that prevent open and honest relations between stakeholders, efficiently use time and finances, and responsibly use the natural resources needed for building.
THE PROFESSION Construction managers: • Represent the owner’s needs and concerns • Coordinate and supervise the work of subcontractors • Incorporate construction methods into the design process • Develop schedules for construction • Define a project’s scope and estimate its cost • Evaluate bids • Coordinate and supervise the work of subcontractors • Promote stewardship and inspire creativity • Facilitate communication between team members, encouraging cooperation and—when necessary—reconciliation • Monitor a project to keep it on time, on budget, and safe
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
THE PROGRAM Dordt College offers two tracks to prepare you for service in the construction industry:
After 10 years as an engineer, I moved to my true passion—project manager in the construction industry. This program will provide another way for technically proficient young men and women to follow their passions and use their God-given gifts to impact our world. Joel Veenstra (’90) is a project manager for the Baker Group.
B.A. in business administration with an emphasis in construction management. This track develops competencies required for construction managers who will be the owner’s on-site representative. Your management skills will be developed by pairing construction management and business courses. You’ll also gain technical skills through courses in chemistry, math, and physics. B.A. in engineering science with an emphasis in construction management. This track develops competencies needed to navigate the design process. These skills will be honed through a set of courses in construction management, engineering, chemistry, math, and physics. In each program track, you’ll have opportunities to apply these skills by participating in internships.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Our society has become increasingly complex. Older structures need to be redeveloped and new structures need to be designed to meet new and changing needs. Because of these needs, construction has become the second largest industry in the United States. As a construction manager, you can help break down barriers between construction workers and designers, and you will have an opportunity to give leadership that demonstrates justice, stewardship, creativity, and collaboration. Anything that can be built is a construction project, so opportunities for construction managers are nearly limitless. Examples include projects that involved: developing land • constructing highways, airports, and railways • creating manufacturing and processing plants • installing telecommunications systems • designing residential and industrial buildings You may be responsible for: estimating project costs • developing construction schedules • coordinating subcontractor activities • assuring quality • promoting safety • reviewing engineering design • facilitating contractor meetings • controlling costs • resolving disputes • coordinating on-site construction activity
THE FACULTY Joel Sikkema, Ph.D., Iowa State University. Construction inspection, site management, surveying/GIS, and environmental monitoring Joel.Sikkema@dordt.edu Kevin Timmer, Ph.D., Iowa State University. Building energy systems and HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) design Kevin.Timmer@dordt.edu Shane Vander Kooi, P.E. Cost estimating, project planning, and scheduling construction contracts
Shane.VanderKooi@dordt.edu
Justin Vander Werff, P.E., Ph.D, Iowa State University. Construction structures, foundation engineering, and concrete design Justin.VanderWerff@dordt.edu
Danielle Wyenberg, B.A., Dordt College. Construction documentation, computer-aided drafting, and geographic information systems Danielle.Wyenberg@dordt.edu
Dale Zevenbergen, C.P.A., M.B.A., University of Phoenix. Marketing and operations, project management, continuous improvement consultant Dale.Zevenbergen@dordt.edu August 2015