By Kristin Howard and Ed Rider
Growing up in a humble neighborhood in Lincoln, Nebraska, Megan Dang and her family often would take small excursions to Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa. It was during these family getaways that she came to appreciate the complex commercial structures ― including shopping malls and casinos ― that she experienced all around her.
Dang, whose family moved to Lexington, Nebraska, so her mother could accept a better job, originally considered studying architecture but instead opted to enroll in the construction management program at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. “I learned that I would rather be involved in the execution of a project,” Dang said.
The construction management program at UNK prepares students to excel as leaders in today’s fast-paced and high-tech construction industry. The program’s results speak for themselves: UNK construction management graduates enjoy a 100% job placement rate and one of the highest entry-level salaries after graduation.
All construction management faculty at UNK bring industry backgrounds to their teaching, ensuring a hands-on education. Courses are frequently updated to meet industry demand, including recent additions in heavy civil projects such as roads and bridges.
“The professors and faculty are very invested in the development of students,” said Dang, a recipient of the College of Business and Technology Alumni Scholarship, Hampton Family Foundation Construction Management Scholarship and the Frank Albert Dority Scholarship.
“They make sure we understand content in class and highly encourage securing internships and work experience early on.”
With 14 years of professional construction industry experience, construction management lecturer JD Stone provides students with insights that go far beyond a textbook. “I found that the secret to professional success is building and maintaining relationships,” Stone said. “Every opportunity I’ve been provided came before I was technically qualified for it, and it only happened because of the trust someone had in me. I want our construction management students at UNK to experience the same kind of success.”
Dang, who will graduate in May 2026, already has accepted a full-time project engineer position.
“Companies want our students,” Stone said. “They know UNK graduates are ready to go to work on day one.”
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