Thinking About a Career in Construction? Inside Slippery Rock University's New Construction Management Program with Amanda McIsaac

We’re back with another one—and this time, we’re talking all things building the next generation of the construction workforce.

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, Jon and Chris sit down with Amanda McIsaac from Slippery Rock University to dig into SRU’s brand-new Construction Management program. But first… a little catch-up (yes, Chris finally took a vacation, and yes, we had to give him a hard time about it).

Amanda brings over 20 years of industry experience (shoutout CDM Smith) into the classroom, and she walks us through what it actually takes to launch a program from the ground up. We’re talking curriculum that goes beyond the textbook—real-world skills, industry insight, and making sure students are actually ready to hit the jobsite on day one.

We get into how the program is structured, why having an industry-driven advisory board matters, and how SRU is blending safety, business, and field experience into one well-rounded degree. Plus, Amanda shares how they’re keeping students engaged with hands-on learning—think site visits, guest speakers, and real connections to the field.

One thing that really stood out? Communication. Amanda breaks down why it’s one of the biggest gaps employers are seeing—and how she’s making it a priority to fix that before students graduate.

Of course, we also talk safety (because you can’t not), including OSHA training built right into the program, and why that foundation matters for every role in construction.

Amanda’s passion for mentoring and developing students is contagious, and if you’ve ever thought about getting into construction—or helping shape the future workforce—you’ll want to hear this. She also gives us a preview of what’s next, including plans for a Bachelor of Applied Science designed for students coming from the trades.

Bottom line: this is what it looks like when education and industry actually work together.

If you’re interested in getting involved—guest speaking, internships, partnerships—this is your sign to connect. Let’s keep building.