Embedding Industry into Academia: A Reflective Case Study of a Faculty Industry Residency with Structure Tone Southwest

9 pages•Published: June 2, 2026

Abstract

Construction education programs continuously translate fast-changing industry practices into classroom experiences. The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) Education and Research Foundation created the Robert L. Bowen Industry Residency Initiative to place faculty in short, immersive residencies within AGC member firms. This paper reflects on a ten-week 2025 residency with Structure Tone Southwest in San Antonio, Texas, and what the placement exposed about project work and curriculum alignment. The reflective case study draws on structured observation journals and field notes, de-identified memos from staff conversations, and post-residency curriculum artifacts, including assignment prompts and curriculum maps. Inductive coding separated observed organizational practices from reflective interpretation. Four themes were identified: (1) AI-assisted information triage paired with human validation; (2) communication functioning as a project-control mechanism; (3) mentorship shaping early-career professional identity; and (4) market context (data centers and civic megaprojects) shaping operational decisions. Themes were interpreted using experiential learning and translated into curriculum revisions aligned with American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) student learning outcomes. Student learning impacts were not assessed, so reported outcomes are implementation-focused. The paper closes with recommendations for documenting faculty residencies as scholarship and for collecting assessment evidence across future cohorts.

Keyphrases: agc residency, construction education, experimental learning, faculty externship, work integrated learning

In: Wesley Collins, Anthony Perrenoud and John Posillico (editors). Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 62nd Annual International Conference, vol 7, pages 265-273.

Links:	https://easychair.org/publications/paper/fPKq
	https://doi.org/10.29007/7gx5

BibTeX entry

@inproceedings{ASC2026:Embedding_Industry_into_Academia,
  author    = {Amy King Lewis},
  title     = {Embedding Industry into Academia: A Reflective Case Study of a Faculty Industry Residency with Structure Tone Southwest},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 62nd Annual International Conference},
  editor    = {Wesley Collins and Anthony Perrenoud and John Posillico},
  series    = {EPiC Series in Built Environment},
  volume    = {7},
  publisher = {EasyChair},
  bibsource = {EasyChair, https://easychair.org},
  issn      = {2632-881X},
  url       = {/publications/paper/fPKq},
  doi       = {10.29007/7gx5},
  pages     = {265-273},
  year      = {2026}}

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