Sharing My Engagement with the University, Community and Industry
My approach to service is rooted in the belief that meaningful engagement — whether with communities, industry, or the university — should be purposeful, reciprocal, and aligned with educational impact. I view service not as a separate obligation, but as an extension of my responsibilities as an educator and professional: to contribute expertise, strengthen institutions, and create opportunities for students and stakeholders to engage with real challenges in the built environment.
At the community level, my service work is deeply connected to housing affordability and workforce development. Through long-standing involvement with Pickens County Habitat for Humanity, I collaborate with nonprofit leadership, volunteers, and students to support the planning and construction of homes that address tangible local needs. This work reinforces the idea that construction knowledge carries civic responsibility, and it provides students with a direct connection between technical decisions and human outcomes.
My industry service reflects a commitment to advancing residential construction practices and fostering dialogue between academia and the profession. As an active participant in the NAHB Building Systems Council, I engage with builders, manufacturers, and innovators focused on improving housing delivery through building systems, off-site construction, and process innovation. This involvement informs my teaching, keeps curriculum aligned with emerging industry trends, and strengthens professional pathways for students.
Within the university, I view service as an opportunity to support institutional effectiveness, shared governance, and thoughtful innovation. I have served as co-chair of a faculty search committee, contributed as a member of the university parking review board, and represented faculty perspectives on cross-campus initiatives addressing academic policy and infrastructure. These roles require careful listening, balanced judgment, and a willingness to engage constructively with diverse viewpoints.
More recently, my service has expanded to include university-wide conversations around artificial intelligence and teaching. As a faculty representative on the AAC&U AI team and a member of the TEACH-AI Leadership Committee, I contribute to efforts focused on responsible, ethical, and pedagogically sound integration of AI in higher education. This work aligns closely with my course design and supports faculty-driven approaches to emerging technologies.
Across all contexts, my service philosophy emphasizes engagement with intent — contributing where my experience can add value, supporting initiatives that align with student learning and community impact, and participating in work that strengthens both the university and the profession it serves.