by Miranda Daniel
Exciting things are under construction at the University of West Georgia, as the Richards College of Business has introduced a new Construction Management Concentration as part of its Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Management program.
This launch was made possible by a generous $1.5 million gift from Caliber 1 Construction and will enable students to learn and propel their careers with world-class support in this exciting field.
Construction is a growing industry, with a projected 4.7% growth by 2033 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This concentration will prepare students for careers in construction leadership including construction manager, project manager, scheduler, cost estimator, safety manager and business owner. Many of those careers offer salaries in the six-figure range.
Chris Elliott ’97, CEO of Caliber 1 Construction and alumnus of UWG, emphasized the importance of the new program and scholarship.
“As an alumnus of the University of West Georgia and a construction CEO, this partnership is deeply personal for me. I saw a real gap in our region: students interested in construction management had to leave home to pursue that path,” Chris said. “By partnering with UWG to develop the new program, we’re investing in the next generation of construction leaders who will keep our communities growing. Construction shapes the places where we live, work and play, and this program ensures students gain the hands-on experience they need to lead with confidence.”
The Construction Management Concentration is built around five essential pillars of modern construction projects: safety, time, cost, quality and environmental responsibility. To support these objectives, the curriculum features six specialized courses that blend technical expertise with project management, financial analysis, safety protocols and sustainable building practices.
“This partnership is a testament to the strong connection between UWG and our local economy,” said Dr. Jon Preston, UWG’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “At UWG, every student should graduate having completed rigorous coursework that prepares them for a lifetime and having internships and connections with local companies to launch their careers before graduation. This new Construction Management Concentration is an excellent example of meeting the needs of the region and preparing students for their futures.”
Jenny Elliott ’97 ’99, president of Caliber 1 Construction and alumna of UWG, highlighted the importance of education and collaboration with students and the university.
“Education has always been close to my heart, and as a two-time graduate of the University of West Georgia, this partnership is especially meaningful. Since launching our Building My Blueprint internship program in 2016, we’ve trained more than 40 construction management students across the southeast, and I’ve seen first-hand how real-world experience builds confidence and leadership,” Jenny said. “This collaboration builds on that momentum, creating new opportunities for UWG students who are ready to grow and lead in our industry.”
Christopher Johnson, dean of the Richards College of Business and Sewell Chair of Private Enterprise, expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm for the new concentration.
“I am so grateful for Caliber 1 Construction’s generosity and vision,” Johnson said. “The new Construction Management Concentration will support the needs of students and businesses in the west Georgia region and beyond. This is an exciting addition to the academic programming of the Richards College of Business, and we look forward to admitting our first cohort of students to the concentration in the very near future.”
If you are interested in learning more about the Construction Management Concentration, visit this website or apply today.
