Spotlight: Building Construction Doctoral Student Kevin Hitchcock

Kevin Hitchcock is one of three students accepted to the first class of doctoral students in Auburn’s McWhorter School of Building Science, which began coursework this fall. A building construction educator himself, Hitchcock says he was drawn to Auburn’s Ph.D. in Building Construction program because one of its founding principles is scholarship regarding innovation in construction education.

Hitchcock holds a bachelor’s degree in geology and a Master of Engineering in construction engineering management, both from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He has been a construction educator for fifteen years at Lawson State Community College in Bessemer, Alabama. When he heard about Auburn’s Ph.D. program, he knew it would give him the skills he needs to evaluate his teaching style, delivery and methods as well as develop more sophisticated content.

Hitchcock’s research will focus on modeling and evaluating manufactured and modular construction systems and incorporating those systems into student-based projects and experiential learning environments. “Hands on activities are essential to a world-class construction education,” he stated, “so I’m really excited about the new Robins & Morton Construction Field Laboratory on campus.” Hitchcock is looking forward to working with Associate Professor Dr. Tom Leathem since they have a shared interest in construction education and assessment, and he’s also hoping to become involved in the school’s international service learning projects.

A recipient of Auburn’s Presidential Graduate Research Fellowship, Hitchcock was selected as a scholar for the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Landmarks in American Heritage and Culture Program in 2011. He is excited to be starting his doctoral journey on Auburn’s campus. “It’s incredible we now have a complete academic pathway through Ph.D. in construction and building sciences in the state of Alabama,” he stated, “and I’m proud to be joining the Auburn Family.”

Kevin Hitchcock is one of three students accepted to the first class of doctoral students in Auburn’s McWhorter School of Building Science, which began coursework this fall. A building construction educator himself, Hitchcock says he was drawn to Auburn’s Ph.D. in Building Construction program because one of its founding principles is scholarship regarding innovation in construction education.

Hitchcock holds a bachelor’s degree in geology and a Master of Engineering in construction engineering management, both from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He has been a construction educator for fifteen years at Lawson State Community College in Bessemer, Alabama. When he heard about Auburn’s Ph.D. program, he knew it would give him the skills he needs to evaluate his teaching style, delivery and methods as well as develop more sophisticated content.

Hitchcock’s research will focus on modeling and evaluating manufactured and modular construction systems and incorporating those systems into student-based projects and experiential learning environments. “Hands on activities are essential to a world-class construction education,” he stated, “so I’m really excited about the new Robins & Morton Construction Field Laboratory on campus.” Hitchcock is looking forward to working with Associate Professor Dr. Tom Leathem since they have a shared interest in construction education and assessment, and he’s also hoping to become involved in the school’s international service learning projects.

A recipient of Auburn’s Presidential Graduate Research Fellowship, Hitchcock was selected as a scholar for the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Landmarks in American Heritage and Culture Program in 2011. He is excited to be starting his doctoral journey on Auburn’s campus. “It’s incredible we now have a complete academic pathway through Ph.D. in construction and building sciences in the state of Alabama,” he stated, “and I’m proud to be joining the Auburn Family.”