With support from Beavers Charitable Trust, in partnership with Granite Construction, Haydon, Kiewit Corporation, McCarthy Building Companies, and Sundt Construction, NAU has established the Beavers Endowed Distinguished Professorship of Infrastructure in Northern Arizona University’s construction management program with a $1 million investment. Housed in NAU’s Steve Sanghi College of Engineering, the endowed distinguished professorship will advance faculty support and promote programs and curriculum in infrastructure construction.
As the first endowed professorship in the Steve Sanghi College of Engineering, the investment demonstrates the university’s commitment to recruiting and retaining teacher-scholars by doubling the number of endowed positions under Elevate, NAU’s comprehensive campaign. Earnings from the endowment are also eligible for matching through the Arizona Board of Regents Eminent Scholar Program. The first faculty member appointed to the new role is Associate Professor of Practice Kai Kaoni.
What started as a faculty retreat eight years ago, the construction management program wanted to provide more learning opportunities for students in civil construction.
“That commitment resulted in a new curriculum where students learned about the infrastructure challenges we face as a nation and how these projects are delivered from concept to competition,” Kaoni said. “Our success, especially with the [Associated Schools of Construction (ASC)] Reno Heavy Civil team, garnered national recognition, which attracted the Beavers’ partnership. Acting as a force multiplier to the endowment, we have formed a new infrastructure consortium where industry partners will help develop a curriculum rooted in industry practice, preparing students for successful internships and careers.”
Meeting employer demands
Employers are seeking students with heavy construction and industry experience, and NAU’s construction management program is preparing students to meet that demand. Over the past five years, the program has experienced significant growth, increasing student enrollment by 47%. This upward trend is positioning them as one of the fastest-growing academic programs within the university. Data from the college also shows that 90% of NAU’s construction management students graduate with a job offer in hand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for skilled construction leaders continues to rise, with employment for construction managers projected to grow 9% from 2024 to 2034—positioning these graduates to continue making a meaningful economic impact.
“Finding individuals with the heavy construction industry experience, the passion, and the skill set to teach is not easy… which is why we felt this was a great opportunity,” said The Beavers & Beavers Charitable Trust Executive Director Dave Woods. “I have known Kai for many years and seen his enthusiasm for heavy construction and his success with his heavy civil teams at the ASC Estimating Competition. The support for him by heavy construction firms in Arizona—both Beavers members and non-members—made this an easy decision to invest.”
Beyond the financial resources the consortium and endowment will support, I am most excited about the curriculum input that these great builders will provide. Their industry expertise is essential in building our heavy civil minor program
Kai Kaoni Beavers Endowed Distinguished Professorship of Infrastructure
A curriculum-forward investment
The Beavers Charitable Trust has supported 49 schools across the country—including NAU—and funded 25 different teaching positions. The goal is to encourage students to pursue careers in the heavy construction industry and, with the right professor, to have a greater impact on entire classes. By uniting with fellow heavy construction firms, they will support NAU students’ careers, making a significant impact on our communities.
“Sundt’s investment in this professorship reflects our belief that the future of the construction industry depends on developing the next generation of engineers and construction professionals,” said Sundt Construction President – Building Group Chad Buck, ’00. “NAU has a strong track record of preparing graduates who bring both technical expertise and leadership to our industry, and supporting faculty leaders like Kai is an investment in the long-term strength of the profession. What makes this effort especially meaningful is the collaboration behind it—industry partners coming together with a shared commitment to expand opportunities for students and better prepare them for the growing demands of the infrastructure and heavy industrial sectors. By combining our resources and expertise, we can create a lasting impact for students, the university, and the future of our communities.”
While the Beavers Charitable Trust led the initiative with an initial $500,000 investment, each of the other five companies’ investments brings the endowment to $1 million. Their support builds greater impact and financial security for the program, creating valuable student experiences that will help establish a nationally recognized infrastructure program.
Kaoni shared, “Beyond the financial resources the consortium and endowment will support, I am most excited about the curriculum input that these great builders will provide. Their industry expertise is essential in building our heavy civil minor program.”
Support like this is transformative. It represents corporate and philanthropic commitment through partnership in higher education. It is a reaffirmation of the quality of our students and faculty at the Steve Sanghi College of Engineering. By establishing this new position, our partners are creating pathways for our students to have meaningful careers that meet the growing workforce demands shaping Arizona and beyond.
charles chadwellSteve Sanghi College of Engineering Distinguished Dean
Learn more about NAU’s Construction Management program by visiting in.nau.edu/construction-management.
Support mission-driven faculty
NAU is on a mission to double the number of endowed positions to help the university remain well-positioned to continue recruiting and retaining top teacher-scholars like Kai.
