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Atlanta, GA | Posted: June 22, 2016
For more information on the School of Building Construction:
brenda.morris@coa.gatech.edu
For more information about HomeAid Atlanta:
https://www.homeaidatlanta.org/
Summary Sentence:
Mandy Crater is an active graduate student in the School of Building Construction, a busy mom, and the Executive Director of HomeAid Atlanta.
Full Summary:
When the Chair of the School of Building Construction, Daniel Castro, Ph.D., P.E., was asked for a quote about Mandy Crater, he smiled and said, “This is a great success story of a graduate student pursuing a goal that has meaningful impact. “
Mandy CraterMandy Crater is halfway through her master’s program in the School of Building Construction.
As Executive Director of HomeAid Atlanta and a busy mom/wife, she was seeking a professional program that fit her schedule, career, and academic objectives. In the School of Building Construction she found the right fit, “I realized I have control over what I’m learning. I took control over my education to customize my experience based on my career and education goals.”
Mandy has been in residential construction since 2001, working with the Greater Atlanta Home Builder’s Association. In 2005, she met Brenda Morris, a graduate recruiter from the School of Building Construction. The timing was right for a master’s program. Mandy had always worked with builders and knew the Residential Construction specialization was the right fit for her industry. Mandy joked, “Once I was accepted, I thought GT would realize what I did not know and make me leave!” After a strong start, life got in the way, and Mandy had to take some time off.
Fast forward to August 2015-Mandy returned to complete her master’s in the School of BC. Now as Executive Director of HomeAid, her role in the built environment has evolved, and instead of focusing on Residential Construction, Mandy shifted her focus to Program Management-as she manages the project on the behalf of the owner. The Program Management specialization in the School of BC, fit her job perfectly. (and her previous Residential courses applied as relevant electives)
Mandy said she met great professors along the way and especially mentioned Daniel Castro and Ennis Parker. In fall 2015, Georgia Tech was also launching the SLS initiative (Serve Learn Sustain), the timing was perfect. Mandy worked with Daniel Castro, Professor and Chair, School of Building Construction, and they proposed the first service learning course in the School of Building Construction-focused on the construction of a homeless shelter on Metropolitan Parkway in Atlanta. They applied for SLS funding and the proposal was selected. Castro said, “Professors of Practice Ennis Parker and Stuart Romm joined as instructors of record, we recruited graduate students from three majors-Building Construction, Architecture, and City Planning, who intensely interacted with professional firms involved on the project. Students ended up presenting their design, construction and facility management plans to the office of the Atlanta Mayor in April. All this could not have been possible without Mandy's determination and drive. She is an exemplary grad student, not only in BC, but in Georgia Tech as well."
Crater said, “I got excited about the opportunity of tying my graduate study directly to applied work. Thru linked in, I contacted a friend that worked for Skanska. She got involved and got Skanska on board. This then led to great partners-Jones Lang LaSalle came on board to assist with Program Management. Then the Georgia Tech connections got the rest of the partners-Newcomb and Boyd and Long Engineering. Being at Tech has led to enriching experiences and great networking. The contacts and professionals we meet are because of the Georgia Tech name.”
Crater continued, “The SLS class launched Spring 16 and was so collaborative and team based-with students from Architecture, Building Construction, and City Planning and two professors-1 from BC, 1 from Arch)--they had foresight to combine two classes to accomplish this goal. The actual project made this “real” for the students. Other professors like Rick Porter also got involved and shared their expertise. Each member of the team has certain strengths, and weaknesses. Students worked together to accomplish team goals. Students took on roles they were weak in to learn more."
Jimmy Mitchell, GT Alum and Director of Project Solutions at Skanska USA, is Mandy’s main contact at Skanska. Skanska has been an integral partner in the HomeAid project. Mitchell said, “I am inspired by Mandy’s dedication to supporting HomeAid and their efforts to improve the continuum of care for folks in need over the Greater Atlanta Region. She is leading the charge behind the scenes for this potentially transformative project along the Metropolitan corridor. Her leadership is contagious and Skanska is proud to be on the team to mature and hopefully build the concept with JLL, Perkins+Will, Newcomb & Boyd, Long Engineering, and her fellow Georgia Tech students & faculty."
Crater is excited about her career going forward. She indicated that Tech has helped propel HomeAid in to new partnerships and relationships, “this will permit us to build new lives for homeless families and individuals thru housing and community outreach.” The project continues and the class is being offered again in fall semester 2016.
In closing, Crater was asked what advice she has for future students—“Get to know your professors and staff early in the process. Don’t just take classes, make the most of the whole GT experience.”
https://www.homeaidatlanta.org/
