Boise State University and Engineered Structures Inc. (ESI) broke ground on the ESI Construction Management Building, a new space that will allow Boise State to educate more students to fill critical jobs in Idaho’s thriving construction industry.
“When we talk about construction management, what we’re talking about is building. That’s what Boise State does. It builds stronger, more creative, more resilient and smarter people. It builds a stronger, more resilient and more creative Idaho,” said Dr. Marlene Tromp, Boise State president. “As we look forward to the future of this great state, we have so much to owe to all of you who have had a hand in taking the character of this program and using it to advance this state, to grow the impact of Boise State University, and to change our future for the better.”
Student enrollment in the construction management program has increased 80% over the past six years. Students serve between two and three internships with local contractors during their time at Boise State, and the program has a 100% job placement rate after graduation.
Construction management is the oldest program in the College of Engineering. It was founded in 1978 and had its first graduates in 1980. Since then, it has produced over 1,200 graduates, including, as of December 2024, 100 women graduates. The building’s 12-person design team is comprised of all women. It will be the first building on campus to solely use mass timber, an engineered wood product donated by Boise Cascade.
“This is a special culture around construction management that has never lost its vibe. I couldn’t be more proud of my CM degree, the program and its relationship with the university,” said Neil Nelson, ESI president, a 1995 construction management grad and a 2016 Boise State University Distinguished Alum.
The facility will provide classrooms, offices, meeting and laboratory space, and is being constructed with considerable support from the construction industry. It is made possible through a collaboration with industry partners, Boise State University, and the Boise State University Foundation. The Department of Construction Management has an industry advisory board of more than 40 companies and more than 90 companies actively recruit Boise State construction management graduates.
Grant Gustafson is president of the Construction Management Association student club, which has existed for nearly 40 years.
“Through this program, I’ve built some of the best connections that I can build, really. Not just with my peers, but also with my professors. They’ve not only pushed me, but they’ve guided me to become a person that I’m really proud of and set me on a path that I am ready to follow. And I think that’s what makes today’s groundbreaking so significant. This building truly represents the heart of what makes this program so special. It’s a place where students can grow, connect and prepare to make a difference in this industry.”
The building will provide a dedicated home for construction management students, feature the latest in construction technology, and will include a large student collaboration area, a 40-seat computer lab, dedicated classrooms, several conference/competition team rooms, a 3,300 square-foot high bay with an overhead crane, and a large outside learning area.