AGC New Mexico and UNM Celebrate Landmark Second Endowment to Advance Construction Education

 

Albuquerque, NM — April 24, 2025 — Associated General Contractors New Mexico (AGC NM), through its Building Education Foundation (NMBEF), is proud to announce a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to workforce development: the signing of a second endowed gift with the University of New Mexico (UNM) to advance the future of construction management education.

The new AGC New Mexico Construction Program Endowment represents a renewed and expanded partnership with the UNM School of Engineering, building on the legacy of the first AGC NM Endowed Chair—one of the largest endowed faculty positions at the university, now valued at over $1.5 million. While the first endowment has long supported faculty excellence in the Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering Department, this second endowment puts students front and center.

This newly signed agreement will directly support student engagement, leadership development, and industry exposure within the Gerald May Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering. The endowment is specifically designed to help students interact more deeply with the construction industry through support for conference travel, internships, student chapters, and professional development experiences—removing barriers that might otherwise prevent students from accessing these opportunities.

"This endowment is more than a gift—it's an investment in the next generation of construction leaders," said Kelly Roepke-Orth, CEO of AGC New Mexico. "We’re proud to deepen our partnership with UNM and ensure our students are not only career-ready, but industry-connected."

In addition to student support, the endowment enables faculty participation in industry-engaged activities, including mentoring student teams, advising student organizations, and attending national and regional conferences that enhance the academic-to-industry pipeline. Faculty members who take on these additional responsibilities will be eligible for supplemental compensation, ensuring the Construction Program has the resources needed to sustain quality and relevance in its instruction.

Among the specific goals of the fund:

• Sponsor student attendance at AGC regional and national conferences;

• Support participation in the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) student competitions;

• Recruit and retain high-potential students in construction fields;

• Enable faculty to facilitate internships, chapter activities, and industry mentoring.

The timing of the endowment couldn’t be better. Earlier this year, two student officers from the AGC/UNM Student Chapter had the opportunity to attend the AGC of America Convention in Columbus, Ohio, representing UNM at one of the industry's most influential gatherings. This experience offered invaluable insight into the real-world dynamics of construction leadership and affirmed the importance of sustained student-industry interaction.

“This second endowment signals our long-term dedication to preparing students not just to graduate, but to lead," added Roepke-Orth. “We are excited to continue supporting the Construction Program and to see the difference these investments will make in the lives of our students and in our industry.”

As New Mexico continues to face a growing demand for construction talent, AGC New Mexico and UNM remain aligned in their shared vision: creating meaningful, high-impact opportunities for students to succeed and thrive in a dynamic and evolving industry.

For more information about the AGC NM Construction Program Endowment or to get involved with the AGC/UNM Student Chapter, contact AGC New Mexico at www.agcnm.org.