Kennedy-King College, Purdue Northwest Launch Partnership to Expand Construction Management Education (Chicago, IL) – Kennedy-King College and Purdue University Northwest (PNW) are joining forces to expand educational opportunities for students pursuing careers in construction management, a high-demand field poised for major growth amid advances in artificial intelligence and robotics.
The two institutions will formalize the partnership with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony at 11 a.m. on October 31 at Kennedy-King’s Dawson Technical Institute (DTI), 3901 S. State St. in Chicago.
Under the new agreement, students who complete Kennedy-King’s Associate of Applied Science in Construction Management with at least a 2.2 GPA and no grade lower than a “C” will be guaranteed admission to PNW’s Bachelor of Science in Construction Management Engineering Technology program. Fifty-four credit hours will transfer directly, with the option to transfer up to 14 more toward general education requirements.
The partnership is designed to make higher education more accessible and affordable while creating a seamless transition from a two-year to a four-year degree. Eligible students will enter PNW as juniors with 60 credit hours, have transfer fees waived, and gain early access to advising, orientation, and student engagement opportunities.
Students who maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher in their first semester at PNW will receive a $500 Transfer Scholarship, and additional departmental scholarships may be available. The agreement also includes a Reverse Transfer option, allowing students to apply PNW credits toward completing their associate degree, ensuring they leave with a marketable credential even before finishing their bachelor’s program.
“This collaboration will help students graduate with less debt and greater access to academic support as they prepare for successful careers in construction management,” said Marie T. Mora, PNW’s provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. “We also look forward to expanding our partnership with City Colleges of Chicago to include other academic programs.”
Mark Potter, provost and chief academic officer for City Colleges of Chicago, called the agreement “a powerful step toward creating a more accessible educational pathway in a high-demand field that pays well.”
DTI, part of Kennedy-King’s broader mission to deliver workforce-ready education in a diverse environment, provides industry-validated training in construction and utility trades. The institute prepares students for union and non-union apprenticeships and other technical career opportunities.
Construction management is undergoing major transformation as automation, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence reshape safety, productivity, and project efficiency. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in construction management is projected to grow 9% by 2034, with an estimated 1.1 million job openings annually due to workforce retirements and industry expansion.
“As technology like AI and robotics transforms the industry, higher learning and continuous training will be essential,” said Kennedy-King College President Katonja Webb-Walker. “This partnership opens new doors for students, especially those from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, to gain the skills needed to lead in a growing and evolving industry.”
For more information, visit pnw.edu/transfer-partners or contact City Colleges of Chicago at 773-COLLEGE.
Kennedy-King College, Purdue Northwest Launch Partnership to Expand Construction Management Education
