Spotlight on Dr. Mike Jackson, Incoming Chair and Professor, Clemson University’s CSM Department
GroundBreak Carolinas sat down with Clemson University’s N. Mike Jackson, Ph.D., P.E., incoming Construction Science and Management (CSM) department chair and professor, to learn more about the “why’s” behind this fall’s Second Annual Symposium for the design and construction industry — scheduled for October 12 in Greenville, S.C. — as well as his vision for the future of Clemson’s CSM program. We also spent some time getting to know Dr. Jackson, who relocated to Clemson this summer from Statesboro, Ga., after four years as Chair of the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction Management at Georgia Southern University. (To read Dr. Jackson’s full biographical profile, click here.)
What’s the 2017 symposium all about?
Last year’s inaugural Symposium in Charlotte was so well received that the University decided to make it an annual event, rotating it among major cities in the region. For this October’s event in Greenville, we are projecting an audience of about 300 construction and design professionals from across the Carolinas and Georgia. The theme, “The Ever-Changing World of Construction: Today’s Challenges, Tomorrow’s Opportunities,” seems to characterize the construction industry at just about any moment in time. As an industry, we are always faced with the immediate challenges of getting the job done on time and within budget. With our impressive panel of guest speakers this year, we are hoping to go beyond these basics and discuss future opportunities on the near horizon. These include new trends in areas such as the WELL Building Standard, the construction workforce of tomorrow, and diversity; as well as economic projections that impact the industry. We want this to become an annual venue where academics and practitioners will come together year-after-year to interactively help solve the challenges that face the ever-changing world of construction in our region. The faculty and students of the CSM department at Clemson are looking forward to this exciting event on October 12th in Greenville.
How does this event help elevate Clemson’s CSM Program … and ultimately, the industry?
I believe this symposium provides an excellent opportunity for the Clemson Construction Science and Management (CSM) department to demonstrate relevance to the industry and gain valuable feedback on current and anticipated challenges facing the industry at the same time. Personally, as the new incoming Chair of the CSM department, this symposium serves as a perfect venue for me to meet many of our CSM stakeholders, and learn what this industry would like us in academia to do better to prepare Clemson graduates to join the construction workforce.
What are the biggest challenges you face on a day-to-day basis?
I think my greatest challenge on a day-to-day basis is to remain focused on the goals we establish for the Construction Science and Management department at Clemson, in the midst of ever-changing distractions. Of course, funding for our programs will always be a challenge, but if we can avoid being distracted by every new fad that springs up along the way, we can do great things here at Clemson.
What are you working on/focusing on today?
The construction industry is in critical need of qualified personnel, and academia is not currently producing enough CSM graduates to meet this demand. The CSM department at Clemson is currently seeking tangible solutions to this “great problem to have.” Beginning this year, we are hoping to introduce greater access to our undergraduate and Graduate CSM courses through expanded distance learning opportunities. What we hope to accomplish is a more flexible degree path for students, that will not compromise the quality of our traditional on-campus delivery, but will allow for more manageable access for non-traditional students across the region. I envision this distance learning component of our curriculum to have the ability to better expand and contract with future market fluctuations, resulting in reduced impact to our traditional brick and mortar on-campus activities.
What was your first job (ever, or professionally)?
I grew up in a large family and we were always expected to work when not in school, but my first real construction job was a cooperative education position with McCarthy Construction out of St. Louis. I can honestly say that McCarthy salvaged my academic pursuits in two ways: 1) I was a Civil Engineering student and was really floundering in some very challenging courses; and 2) I was quickly running out of money for school. The co-op position with McCarthy introduced me to a group of regular, hard-working engineers and contractors that helped re-energize my academic pursuits, and helped pay my bills. As a result of this experience, I will always be grateful to the hard-working men and women of McCarthy Construction, and remain a huge advocate for cooperative education, and all things experiential learning.
In your opinion, what’s the biggest difference in this industry today compared to when you started?
I think there are several major changes that have emerged in recent years, including: 1) integration of technology (i.e., BIM, high-speed communications, etc.); 2) Greater multi-disciplinary collaboration; and 3) Globalization of the industry as a whole. One great thing about the construction industry is that it is very quick to reflect the expectations and demands of society at large. The recent emphasis on environment and sustainability in construction are good examples of this reflection.
Career advice you would like to give others.
My best attempt at advice to others would be to try to always stay curious, and avoid cynicism. We are living in amazing times and there seems to be even less time today for ruminating and negative thoughts. Most highly successful people seem to have at least this one thing in common — optimism. Use it like a shield against the haters!
Dr. Jackson can be reached at 864 656.3878 | Email: nmjacks@clemson.edu
ABOUT THE SYMPOSIUM
Close to 300 construction and design professionals from across the Carolinas and Georgia are expected to attend this fall’s Second Annual Symposium for the construction industry presented by Clemson University’s Construction Science and Management (CSM) Department. This year’s information-packed, one-day event is scheduled for October 12, 2017, at the Embassy Suites Conference & Golf Resort in Greenville, South Carolina.
Through interactive panel discussions industry experts will share market intelligence and perspective to help participants deal with today’s challenges and effectively prepare for anticipated industry trends. (View Full Agenda/Program.)
Registrants will represent a cross-section of the industry — facility owners, principals, officers, middle management, and project management personnel from various design, general contracting, construction management, and specialty contractor firms; and vendors/service providers who focus on the design and construction sectors.
To register for the Symposium, click here.
