BSCI Welcomes New Faculty Member Ken Sands

Welcome to new Assistant Professor Ken Sands! Sands is joining the faculty of the McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) beginning this fall semester. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in construction management from Florida International University as well as a Ph.D. in Environmental Design and Planning from Virginia Tech.

Prior to joining the faculty at Auburn, Sands spent the last four years teaching in the Department of Construction Management at Florida Gulf Coast University. He also spent seven years teaching at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, both as an adjunct and a faculty member. In addition to teaching, Sands has worked in the industry as a Project Coordinator and Estimator for general contractors in Miami and Miramar, Florida. His research focuses on construction safety and health, microcredentials for construction, construction education and workforce development and enhancement programs for construction.

Sands will be teaching Construction Information Technology I as well as Estimating and Costing classes. Having coached students in competitions in the past, he is eager to become involved in student activities. “I believe co-curricular experiences like competitions and networking events as well as out-of-class discussions and informal mentoring are essential to the teaching-learning relationship,” he stated. “I thoroughly enjoy being part of those experiences and that aspect of teaching.”

“We are very excited to have Assistant Professor Sands joining us,” stated BSCI School Head Richard Burt. “His experiences in academia and industry along with his enthusiasm for teaching make him an excellent addition to our faculty.”