Contact: Brittney Dabney, Office of Strategic Communications
Tuskegee University continues to advance its transformation as part of its Renaissance Era by establishing the Hoar Construction Science and Management (CSM) Computer Lab within the Construction Science and Management program. The lab was made possible through a partnership with Hoar Construction and the Hoar Foundation and highlights the university’s focus on student success through innovation and strategic partnerships.
The Hoar Foundation awarded $110,000 to fully fund the Construction Science & Management Computer Lab, providing the lab with furniture, fixtures, computer workstations and docking stations for 16 students, along with access to industry-standard software and tools for CSM coursework and project collaboration. This milestone represents the culmination of nearly five years of advocacy, planning, and commitment by members of the Tuskegee University Construction Science & Management Industry Advisory Board (CSM-IAB).
A key champion of this initiative was Tuskegee University alumnus Paul Walker, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility and Technology, at Hoar Construction and an active member of the TU CSM Industry Advisory Board. Walker worked diligently over several years to secure industry support and funding to ensure Tuskegee students have access to the same technology and collaborative tools used throughout today’s construction industry.
“This lab represents more than new technology—it represents opportunity. When students have access to the same tools and platforms used across the construction industry, they graduate prepared, confident, and workforce-ready,” said Walker. “Having experienced the challenges of limited access as a Tuskegee student myself, I was committed to ensuring future generations would not face the same hurdles. Through this partnership, we are aligning education with industry and creating an environment where Tuskegee students can thrive from day one of their careers.”
Additional advocacy and leadership were provided by Kimberly Baylor-Bivins, former CSM faculty member, and Donald Taylor, Tuskegee alumnus and former CSM-IAB Chair. Their collective efforts reflect the strength and purpose of Tuskegee’s CSM Industry Advisory Board in directly impacting students and their learning environments—an essential component of the Tuskegee Renaissance vision.
“The advocacy of individual and corporate members of the TU CSM-IAB is critical to the sustainability of the Construction Science Department,” said Rogers Hunt III, Construction Science Department Chair. “Their endeavors enhance the educational experience for our students and elevate the long-term impact of our program.”
Furnishings and equipment for the Hoar CSM Computer Lab were purchased through Tuskegee-approved vendors B3 Sales & Service and Dell Technologies. The lab will serve as a hands-on learning environment where students complete assignments using the same platforms and tools found across professional construction firms nationwide, including Procore, Oracle P6, Bluebeam, Autodesk Revit, and Autodesk Navisworks.
The Hoar CSM Computer Lab reinforces Tuskegee University’s commitment to workforce readiness, innovation, and industry partnership by creating a learning environment that mirrors the professional world students are preparing to enter. As part of the Tuskegee Renaissance Era, initiatives like this reflect the university’s strategic focus on elevating academic programs, strengthening industry alignment, and expanding opportunities for student success on a national scale.
“The Hoar CSM Computer Lab exemplifies the power of purposeful collaboration between industry and academia,” said Dr. Catherine Armwood, Dean of the Robert R. Taylor School of Architecture and Construction Science. “This partnership with Hoar Construction and the Hoar Foundation provides our students with industry-standard technology, enhancing both their academic learning and professional readiness, aligning with the Tuskegee mission to produce ‘Project Ready’ construction professionals who lead with technical excellence and integrity.”
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