FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
- Chip Mansfield
- Jul 1
- 3 min read
Professor Mikael Anderson, P.E.
Construction Management Program, College of Engineering & Computer Science California State University, Sacramento
Educator, Leader, Advocate: Professor Mikael Anderson, P.E., Champions Excellence in Construction Education
The American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) proudly recognizes Professor Mikael (Mike) Anderson, P.E., Construction Management Department at California State University, Sacramento, for his outstanding contributions to construction education and unwavering commitment to ACCE’s mission.
With a career that bridges industry and academia, Professor Anderson exemplifies the spirit of servant leadership that underpins ACCE’s work. His professional journey began in the field, where he gained practical experience with respected organizations such as Granite Construction, DPR Construction, Cole Yee Schubert Engineers, and Caltrans. As both a licensed Professional Engineer and a California General “B” Licensed Contractor, Anderson brings deep industry insight to the classroom, ensuring students receive an education grounded in real-world application.
Under his leadership, Sacramento State’s Construction Management program has grown into one of the most respected in the region. During his tenure as department chair from 2009-2022, Anderson had overseen significant programmatic milestones: independent departmental status, consistent 100% job placement rates, national competition successes, and a strong pipeline of industry partnerships. The department’s enduring ACCE accreditation is a point of pride and a reflection of Anderson’s dedication to academic excellence.
Professor Anderson has also been a long-time volunteer and supporter of ACCE, recognizing accreditation as a cornerstone for quality construction education. Currently, he is the Treasurer and Chair of the ACCE Finance Committee. He actively advocates for continuous improvement and engages regularly with peer institutions to uphold accreditation standards. He has been on eight Visiting Teams, with five of them he served as the Visiting Team Chair.
In addition to his work with ACCE, Professor Anderson has dedicated over 21 years to supporting the Sacramento Construction Management Education Foundation (SCMEF), a non-profit industry advisory board established in 2004, directly supporting the department. Through his leadership, the foundation has expanded its impact—funding scholarships and student competitions, coaching student competition teams, hosting industry engagement events, supporting student success through mentorship and experiential learning, and fostering the development of individuals who are qualified beyond graduation to perform ethically, responsibly, and productively in management positions throughout the construction industry. His efforts extend beyond the university, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration that benefits programs across the country.
Anderson also mentors and coaches student competition teams in regional and national events hosted by the Associated Schools of Construction and the Mechanical Contractors Association of America. He recently established a student chapter of the Beavers Inc. organization, the third in the country, with grant support from Beavers Charitable Trust, Teichert Foundation, Granite Construction, and individual contributions from alumni John Bollier and George Furnanz of Stacy Witbeck to grow the heavy civil construction curriculum track and career path for students. His investment in student development has helped elevate Sacramento State’s profile while preparing future industry leaders for careers of purpose and impact.
Anderson has been married for 28 years to his college sweetheart, Renee, also a registered civil engineer. They have raised two sons, Aidan, who recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a masters in structural engineering, starting work at Degenkolb Engineers in SF, and their youngest, Bryce, is starting his senior year in high school and applying for colleges in 2026 to pursue a degree in construction management. The family enjoys camping, hiking, snowboarding, surfing, riding dirt bikes together, and recently returned from their first trip across the pond to Scotland, London, and France.
Professor Anderson’s story is one of vision, service, and commitment to the values ACCE upholds: academic rigor, industry alignment, and student-centered growth. His contributions remind us that strong programs are built not only on technical expertise but also on leaders who give generously of their time and talents to build up others.
We extend our gratitude to Professor Anderson for his tireless support of ACCE and his continued impact on construction education nationwide.
