Kennedy-King College and Purdue University Northwest sign MOU announcing new partnership that expands Construction Management education pathways

Kennedy-King College and Purdue University Northwest sign MOU announcing new partnership that expands Construction Management education pathways

The in-demand Construction Management career path offers great pay and it will continue to evolve as artificial intelligence and robotics reshape the industry to enhance safety and efficiency

HAMMOND, Ind. and CHICAGO — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) and Kennedy-King College (KKC), announce a new partnership to strengthen transfer pathways and support academic and career success for students pursuing Construction Management careers.

The two institutions formally celebrated the collaboration with a ceremonial signing at on Friday, October 31, at Kennedy-King College’s Dawson Technical Institute (DTI).

As part of Kennedy-King’s broader mission, DTI supports accessible, workforce‐ready education in a diverse environment, providing an intensive and comprehensive industry-validated training in the construction trades and utility industries, preparing students to compete for both union and non-union apprenticeships as well as other trade and utility opportunities.

The partnership will expand access, increase student success, and enhance transfer opportunities — including for underrepresented students in this field of study — through a seamless transition from KKC’s Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Construction Management to PNW’s Bachelor of Science in Construction Management Engineering Technology.

“We are excited to formally articulate this innovative collaboration between Kennedy-King College and Purdue University Northwest,” said Marie T. Mora, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at PNW. “Through the streamlined transfer of eligible credit hours and access to early academic support services as well as the potential to receive scholarship support, students should be able to graduate with less debt in a seamless manner and enter successful careers in construction management and related fields. We are also looking forward to future collaborations with City Colleges of Chicago to expand our partnership to other academic programs across CCC.”

“This partnership is a powerful step toward creating a more accessible educational pathway in a high-demand field that pays well,” said Provost and Chief Academic Officer Mark Potter, City Colleges of Chicago. “By aligning our programs with top universities like PNW and providing holistic support, we’re helping students advance from the classroom to careers with the credentials they need to excel in construction management and beyond.

How the transfer pathway works

Under this agreement, Dawson Technical Institute students who graduate with a minimum GPA of 2.2 and no grade lower than a “C” are assured admission to PNW’s program. Fifty-four credit hours will transfer directly, fulfilling all general education requirements. Students can also transfer an additional 14 credit hours to satisfy any missing general education courses before matriculating.

To further support student mobility and credential attainment, the partnership includes a Reverse Transfer opportunity. KKC students may apply credits earned at PNW toward completing their associate degree — ensuring they hold a marketable credential while continuing toward their bachelor’s degree.

Other comprehensive support benefits include:

Junior standing with 60 credit hours

Early academic advising and KKC-specific orientation at PNW

Transfer application fee waived

Access to academic support and enrollment services

Dedicated transfer pre-enrollment counseling

Opportunities to engage in student organizations and research activities prior to transfer at PNW

Eligible students who complete their first semester at PNW with a GPA of 3.0 or higher will receive a $500 Transfer Scholarship. Students will also be considered for additional departmental scholarships.

For more information, visit pnw.edu/transfer-partners or call City Colleges of Chicago, 773-COLLEGE.

A changing field

The future of construction management will be defined by greater integration of technologies that will include artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and robotics, all drivers of improvement in efficiency, safety and risk management. Today, the field of study is experiencing a technological transformation, with AI, *digital twins and automation enhancing efficiency. This coincides with changes in the workforce, including the need to attract new talent as aging laborers retire.

The economic outlook for careers in construction management remains strong, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 9% growth in employment through 2034. About 1.1 million job openings are projected each year on average in these occupations due to employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave the industry. The predicted drivers of growth include infrastructure upgrades, the need to modernize older buildings and new home construction (source: Bureau of Labor Statistics).

“As technology like AI and robotics transforms the industry, higher learning and even continuous learning will be essential. We are proud to open new doors for students, especially those from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds,” said President Katonja Webb-Walker, Kennedy-King College. “I’m thrilled to have PNW as a partner so, together, we can offer students the skills and education needed to lead in this growing and evolving industry."

*A digital twin is a data-driven virtual representation of a physical object, process, or system. It is created using real-time data from sensors and other sources, it mirrors its physical counterpart, allowing users to monitor, analyze, simulate, and optimize performance and predict future outcomes.

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is a student-centered university that transforms lives through innovative education, impactful research and community engagement. Located in Northwest Indiana, near Chicago, PNW is a First Gen Forward Network Leader and an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University. PNW advances the socioeconomic mobility of its students and positively impacts regional development. For more information, visit pnw.edu.

Kennedy-King College, one of the seven City Colleges of Chicago, is committed to providing accessible, high-quality education that leads to career and transfer success. With robust technical programs, strong community ties, and employer partners, KKC plays a key role in workforce development as well as offering a plethora of associate degrees in many other in-demand career paths. Click here to watch recent stories from our Dawson Tech students about their college journey on Vimeo.


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