Spring 2026 Board Meeting

Robert Hodges called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.

Robert Hodges, CIAC President and VP of Archer Western, called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. and opened the Spring CIAC Board Meeting by thanking the donors, scholarship recipients, and members who participated in the scholarship banquet the previous evening. He reflected on the tremendous progress made by the Construction Industry Advisory Council over the past several years and emphasized that many of these accomplishments were only possible because of the engagement, leadership, and volunteerism of the CIAC membership. Robert reminded the council that the strength of the department continues to come from industry involvement and the willingness of members to contribute their time, expertise, and resources in support of students and faculty.

Robert highlighted several major accomplishments and ongoing initiatives that have shaped the department’s momentum, including updates to the CIAC bylaws, alignment of the CIAC strategic direction with the department’s new strategic plan, the launch of the Innovation Symposium, curriculum enhancements, specialized course offerings, and the creation of new initiatives within each subcommittee. He noted that the department continues working closely with industry to ensure curriculum and workforce development efforts remain relevant and responsive to current and future construction needs. He also acknowledged the increasing strain caused by attrition among Academic Professional Track (APT) faculty positions, noting that several positions are being lost without replacement plans, impacting capstone courses and other critical instructional areas. Robert emphasized that CIAC support is more important than ever and encouraged members to continue volunteering, participating in committees, and remaining actively engaged in shaping the future of the department.

Robert also previewed several activities planned throughout the day, including student focus groups and the Reverse Career Fair. He encouraged members to carefully listen to student perspectives and document feedback that could help improve curriculum, engagement, and professional development initiatives. He closed by reaffirming that the department’s recent successes are directly tied to strong industry partnerships and meaningful CIAC involvement. Following his remarks, Robert introduced Dean Hu.

Dean Hu addressed the council by providing an update on the current state and future direction of the Texas A&M University College of Architecture. She shared that the College currently serves more than 3,000 students and employs approximately 220 faculty and staff members across nine buildings located throughout the main campus. She acknowledged ongoing conversations regarding the naming of the College of Architecture and explained that discussions continue at the university level. Dean Hu also highlighted the continued enrollment growth occurring within the college and noted that the Department of Construction Science now represents approximately half of the college’s total enrollment, reinforcing its position as one of the largest and most influential programs within the college.

Dean Hu discussed recent growth in research expenditures across the college and specifically recognized the Department of Construction Science for achieving an 88.6% increase in research expenditures from Fiscal Year 2024 to Fiscal Year 2025. She noted that COSC currently leads the college in research growth and grant expenditures, signaling the department’s growing influence in both education and research. Looking ahead, she shared two major priorities for the College of Architecture: hiring three new strategic faculty positions focused on AI-powered planning, design, and construction, and pursuing the development of a new College of Architecture facility on West Campus. Dean Hu concluded by expressing appreciation for the partnership between the CIAC and the college and reaffirmed the college’s commitment to supporting the continued growth and national prominence of the Department of Construction Science.

Dr. Phil Lewis then addressed the council and began by congratulating Larry Fickel for receiving multiple major recognitions during the year. Dr. Lewis noted that Professor Fickel had been selected as the department’s Student Advocate Award recipient for the eighth time in ten years and had also earned the prestigious Provost APT Teaching Award, becoming the first COSC faculty member to receive the university-wide recognition. Dr. Lewis described Professor Fickel as a true example of excellence among Academic Professional Track faculty and highlighted the tremendous impact industry professionals can have when transitioning into higher education and mentoring future construction leaders.

Professor Fickel shared a brief message centered around the quote, “Do work worthy of recognition, but not for recognition,” encouraging attendees to focus on impact rather than personal accolades. He reflected on conversations with students about legacy and reminded the council that the greatest legacy is not the buildings constructed, but the people developed along the way. Dr. Lewis expanded on this theme by sharing another quote that had recently resonated with him: “Pursue excellence, not glory,” explaining that this philosophy reflects the culture the department continues striving to build.

Dr. Lewis then provided an update on the continued growth and evolution of the department. He explained that the Department of Construction Science now offers undergraduate, master’s, online master’s, and doctoral degree programs, with both graduate programs offering thesis and non-thesis pathways. Enrollment has grown significantly across all programs, including 1,321 undergraduate students, 65 students in McAllen, 81 residential master’s students, 62 online master’s students, and 45 fully funded PhD students, with the doctoral program expected to grow to approximately 60 students in Fall 2026. He emphasized that the department has historically built its reputation on outstanding teaching and industry engagement while now simultaneously developing a nationally recognized research presence.

Transitioning into strategic planning, Dr. Lewis formally introduced the department’s new 2030 Strategic Plan, themed “Persistently Better.” He explained that the strategic planning process involved collaboration with Bill Peel as well as participation from faculty, staff, and CIAC leadership to ensure alignment with industry needs and university priorities. The plan centers around seven focus areas referred to as the “Seven C’s”: Community, Capture, Curriculum, Careers, Clients, Culture, and Communication. Dr. Lewis explained that these pillars are intended to guide the department’s continued growth while reinforcing its commitment to workforce development, industry collaboration, innovative curriculum, faculty excellence, and strategic communication.

Dr. Lewis also discussed ongoing marketing and branding efforts being developed in partnership with Deutser and IMMX. He explained that the department is currently in the discovery and research phase of a comprehensive communications and branding initiative that will eventually include messaging strategy, brand concepts, visual identity development, and creative content production. While Texas A&M remains the overarching institutional brand, Dr. Lewis emphasized the importance of strengthening the unique identity and national recognition of the Department of Construction Science. Members were encouraged to share success stories, industry partnerships, and departmental accomplishments to support the marketing effort.

Kendall Pouland and Robert Hodges then discussed the ongoing development of the CIAC Strategic Plan in support of the department’s broader Vision 2030 initiative. Working alongside Bill Peel, the executive team identified four primary vectors of success intended to guide future CIAC engagement and impact.

The first vector, Communication, led by Jeff Higdon, focuses on improving communication systems, website development, and member engagement. The second vector, Workforce Development, led by Erik Emerson, centers on strengthening curriculum and workforce readiness initiatives. The third vector, Faculty Externships, led by Kendall Pouland, is designed to connect tenure and tenure-track faculty with industry experiences during the summer to improve classroom relevance and understanding of evolving construction practices. The final vector, Innovation Listening Sessions, led by Ryan Stoll, seeks to create stronger collaboration between industry partners and faculty researchers to support innovation and applied research initiatives. Robert emphasized that industry relevance within the classroom remains one of the department’s highest priorities and encouraged committees to continue developing actionable goals and measurable KPIs.

Hernan Guerra began his presentation by thanking the CIAC for its continued support of scholarships, student opportunities, and departmental initiatives. He reflected on the long-term success of the CIAC matching endowment program, explaining how the council’s commitment over the past two decades has dramatically expanded scholarship opportunities and financial support for students. He also introduced Cooper Kay and acknowledged the ongoing partnership between the department, the Foundation, and industry donors.

Professor Guerra then provided a detailed update on current departmental and CIAC metrics. CIAC membership has now grown to 308 companies, representing one of the largest and most engaged construction advisory councils in the nation. He shared that 88% of member companies participated in the Spring Career Fair, while student attendance exceeded 650 participants, including more than 500 COSC students. He also noted increased attendance among sophomore students seeking summer internships, reflecting growing early engagement with industry.

Internship data showed that 272 students were currently participating in internships during the semester with an average hourly wage of $22.96. Professor Guerra noted that many companies are also now assisting students with housing and living expenses, benefits not fully reflected in wage reporting data. Houston remained the largest internship market for students during the semester. Exit survey data from Fall 2025 revealed an average starting salary of $76,677 and an average signing bonus of $5,900 for graduating students.