ACCE PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT
- Chip Mansfield
- Apr 2
- 6 min read
As part of our continued communication effort, we are highlighting specific accredited programs within the ACCE system. These are randomly selected schools, professional development programs, and workforce initiatives. Hopefully, this will help the ACCE community develop an even greater appreciation for the efforts made in accreditation, reaccreditation, and certification.
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Clemson University
Clemson University Construction Science and Management: Preparing Leaders for a Changing Industry
Founded in 1889 through a bequest from scientist and educator Thomas Green Clemson, Clemson University was established as a land-grant institution dedicated to advancing practical education in agriculture and the mechanical arts. The university opened its doors in 1893 with a mission to support economic growth and technological advancement in South Carolina and the broader region. Over the past century, Clemson has evolved into one of the nation’s leading public research universities, known for strong programs in engineering, architecture, science, and construction-related disciplines.
That commitment to practical, industry-focused education is especially evident in Clemson’s Construction Science and Management (CSM) program, housed within the College of Architecture, Art and Construction. For decades, the program has prepared students to enter the construction industry with the technical expertise, leadership skills, and real-world experience required to manage complex building projects.
A Legacy of Construction Education
Clemson’s Bachelor of Science in Construction Science and Management was established in 1962, marking the university’s early commitment to professional construction education. Today, the program continues to emphasize both technical knowledge and managerial expertise while maintaining relatively small class sizes that allow faculty to mentor and engage students closely.
Students in the program learn the full lifecycle of construction projects—from preconstruction planning and estimating to scheduling, safety management, materials, and project delivery.
The curriculum is intentionally aligned with industry employers' needs, ensuring that graduates leave the program prepared to contribute immediately to construction teams across the country.
The program’s academic strength is reinforced by its accreditation through the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE). ACCE accreditation recognizes programs that meet rigorous academic and industry standards and demonstrate Clemson’s commitment to delivering a high-quality construction education grounded in both theory and practice.
Beyond the undergraduate degree, Clemson also offers graduate opportunities in construction management. The Master of Construction Science and Management (MCSM)Â program, also accredited by ACCE, was launched in 1986 and became the first graduate program in construction management offered in South Carolina.
Today, the graduate program continues to attract professionals and students seeking advanced leadership roles in the industry. With a STEM designation and strong industry connections, the program prepares graduates to lead complex projects and drive innovation across the construction sector.
Industry Engagement and Student Success
A defining feature of Clemson’s construction program is its deep connection to industry. Faculty members work closely with contractors, developers, and construction organizations to ensure students gain practical exposure to real-world challenges and opportunities.
These connections translate directly into strong student outcomes. Clemson construction students regularly compete in national and international competitions, demonstrating the program’s ability to develop technical and managerial talent. In recent years, Clemson teams have placed among the top competitors in events hosted by organizations such as the Associated Builders and Contractors and the National Association of Home Builders.
Students have also performed strongly in the Roofing Alliance Student Competition, highlighting Clemson’s growing reputation within the roofing sector and its commitment to preparing graduates for specialized segments of the construction industry.
This strong industry engagement helps explain another hallmark of the program: exceptional employment outcomes. Clemson construction graduates are highly sought after by employers across the country, often receiving job offers prior to graduation due to the program’s reputation and the hands-on experience students gain during their studies.                    Â
Partnership with the Roofing Alliance
Among Clemson’s most impactful industry collaborations is its partnership with the Roofing Alliance, the foundation of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA).
The Roofing Alliance and the Nieri Department of Construction and Real Estate Development at Clemson University have worked together to establish the Center for Roofing Innovation and Leadership. The center conducts research and develops educational initiatives to strengthen workforce development in the roofing industry. Through this partnership, Clemson has helped develop specialized curriculum and training programs that provide students and professionals with a deeper understanding of roofing systems, construction management practices, and business leadership.
One of the partnership’s key outcomes is a series of roofing-focused courses and training programs developed jointly by the Roofing Alliance and Clemson’s construction department. These programs provide structured learning in roofing fundamentals, management practices, and business leadership within the roofing sector, leading to a certificate in Roofing Industry Management.
Importantly, the impact of this collaboration extends beyond Clemson’s campus. Educational materials developed through the initiative—including a roofing-specific manual—are available to ACCE-accredited construction management programs nationwide, helping expand roofing education across the broader construction education community.
By connecting research and real industry expertise with academic instruction, the partnership strengthens both the Clemson program and the roofing industry’s ability to develop the next generation of skilled professionals.
Leadership and Vision for the Future
Clemson’s construction program continues to evolve under the leadership of Dr. Tom Leathem, who was named chair of the Nieri Department of Construction and Real Estate Development in 2025 following a national search.
Leathem brings a unique combination of academic and industry experience to the role. After earning his undergraduate degree in construction management from Western Illinois University, he spent more than a decade working in construction and real estate in the Chicago area before transitioning to academia.
Tom later earned a master’s degree in Integrated Design and Construction from Auburn University and completed a Ph.D. at Mississippi State University, focused in construction education.
Before joining Clemson, Leathem served on the faculty at Auburn University, where he held leadership roles within the McWhorter School of Building Science and helped guide successful student competition teams. His work in construction education and interdisciplinary collaboration reflects a strong commitment to preparing students for the increasingly complex built environment.
In announcing his appointment, Leathem emphasized his vision for Clemson’s construction program: to build on its strong reputation while expanding research, collaboration, and industry engagement. His goal is to position the department as a national leader in construction education and innovation.
A Community of Collaboration and Experiential Learning
The Nieri Department of Construction and Real Estate Development benefits from Clemson’s broader collaborative environment, which brings together disciplines across the College of Architecture, Art, and Construction. Students regularly engage with peers in architecture, planning, and related fields—reflecting the collaborative nature of modern construction projects.
Facilities at Clemson also support this interdisciplinary approach. The department is located in the Lee Hall complex, a building designed to encourage collaboration among design and construction disciplines and recognized for its sustainability features.
Through studio projects, research initiatives, and industry partnerships, Clemson students gain experience working in teams that mirror real-world construction environments.
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Experiential learning for students in the Nieri Department extends beyond Lee Hall to the department’s Experiential Learning Yard (XL Yard) located at the Clemson University Ravenel Research Center. The XL Yard is a 3-Acre site designed to facilitate authentic learning through hands-on experience. Complete with a 1,800sf jobsite office trailer/classroom, an exterior field lab with a 2,500sf covered slab area, and a 1,500sf environmental systems lab, students get the opportunity to experience hands-on learning in construction methods, materials & systems, planning & scheduling, and problem-solving.
Preparing the Next Generation of Construction Leaders
For more than sixty years, Clemson University’s Construction Science and Management program has helped shape leaders in the construction industry. Its combination of rigorous academics, ACCE accreditation, strong industry partnerships, and experiential learning opportunities continues to position graduates for success.
Collaborations such as the Roofing Alliance partnership demonstrate the program’s ability to respond to evolving industry needs while contributing to workforce development across the construction sector. Meanwhile, new leadership under Dr. Tom Leathem signals continued growth and innovation for the department.
As the construction industry faces increasing demand for skilled professionals and innovative solutions, Clemson’s program remains committed to preparing graduates who are ready to build the future—one project at a time.
That is all for now! More program highlights to come!!
Steve Nellis
President / CEO American Council for Construction Education Steve.Nellis@ACCE-HQ.org www.acce-hq.org