Murphy Award: James L. Jenkins

James L. Jenkins, associate professor of construction management. (Purdue University photo/John Underwood) Download Photo

Five teachers have received Purdue's 2016 Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award in Memory of Charles B. Murphy. This week, Purdue Today will feature Q&A's on each of the recipients. This Q&A focuses on James L. Jenkins, associate professor of construction management.

Years at Purdue: 18.

Teaching interests: My primary topic areas include planning and scheduling of construction projects, increasing worker productivity and the improvement of safety conditions for construction job site workers. I also serve as the program leader for the International Construction Management in Ireland study abroad program.

Goals as a professor: My genuine interest is to help students develop into successful construction managers and leaders in the industry. I keep my classes relevant by continually updating my curriculum and keeping students current on industry trends and emerging technologies. These improvements are based on my past construction work experiences, industry training, research efforts and maintaining relationships with industry professionals.

My goal is not only to have students graduate with our best, current knowledge, but also to model the importance of life-long learning. Technology is vital to the industry and construction managers have to keep up with trends and advancements.

On what students should be taking away from class: I engage students through a process of learning-by-doing. This helps them retain and apply lecture material.  I want students to leave my classes confident that they can meet the current and future “real-world” needs of the construction industry.

On engaging with students outside the classroom: Maintaining contact with students outside the traditional classroom is a great way to serve as a mentor and to further the student’s learning. My role as a faculty advisor for the Associated General Contractors (AGC) Student Chapter allows me to broaden the student learning experience away from the classroom through construction job site visits, interaction with industry professionals and developing a sense of community. 

The study abroad program allows me to spend two weeks with students as we travel across Ireland. This trip exposes students to international construction processes that they can compare and apply to those in the U.S. Students are immersed in a new culture and completely different university setting and lecture style. This time with students outside of classroom walls of Purdue allows me to model professionalism on the job site and also to answer questions that might never be thought of during a traditional class.

On what winning a Murphy Award means: I have been blessed to be part of the construction management family and to be surrounded by great students. I love teaching and it is an awesome feeling to get confirmation that I am having a positive impact. The best part is the fact that the Murphy Award nominees are chosen by the students. I love the idea that my students realize how much I look forward to working with them every day.

What his students say about him: He explains topics in depth. He has a lot of knowledge on the topic and presents it clearly, but in a challenging way. … One of the best professors. He has engaging lectures, relevant activities and material is still challenging.