Meet the Students Behind the Construction Business Accelerator
LEXINGTON, Ky. — A hands-on partnership between the University of Kentucky and Turner Construction is preparing the next generation of construction leaders, one cohort at a time.
The Construction Business Accelerator (CBA), a collaboration between the university and Turner Construction, is doing more than teaching construction. It is building careers, connections and confidence.
The 12-week program equips local construction-related businesses with the skills and tools needed to compete in the industry. Participants receive training in safety, site logistics, insurance, bonding, contracts, subcontracting, estimating, scheduling, construction accounting and bid preparation. The program culminates in a mock bid project, where teams participate in a post-bid review with a panel of evaluators.
In five years, the program has completed four cohorts, graduated 65 businesses and engaged 13 community partners.
This year marks a major milestone. For the first time, the CBA welcomed University of Kentucky students into the cohort, integrating them alongside industry professionals in a shared learning environment.
The model provides hands-on experience while creating opportunities for mentorship, collaboration and professional growth.
From classroom to job site
The CBA bridges the gap between academic knowledge and industry application, something students say is invaluable.
For Amin Khoshkenar, a doctoral student in construction management, the program offers a new perspective on familiar concepts.
Khoshkenar, who holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s in construction management and has five years of experience on large-scale projects in Iran, said the program has helped him understand how those concepts apply in the U.S. construction industry.
“I have studied these processes in my courses, but being in a professional environment with people who are actually doing them in real-world projects is something else,” he said.
He added that the experience is helping him better understand the nuances of working in the U.S., an important step toward his goal of becoming a project manager.
Expanding skills and networks
For other students, the program fills gaps not always covered in coursework or internships.
Marc Shewmaker, a University of Kentucky graduate in civil engineering and current MBA candidate, said the program introduced him to pre-construction work.
“I have never experienced estimating or bidding before,” Shewmaker said. “This program has been a great opportunity to understand how the pre-construction phase works.”
He also emphasized the value of networking.
“It’s a great way to connect with local contractors and learn how their companies operate within the Central Kentucky community,” he said.
Finding confidence through experience
For many students, the program is as much about building confidence as it is about learning technical skills.
Brooklyn Masharbash, a third-year civil engineering student and Lexington native, brings a unique perspective to the field. In addition to her academic work, she is a professional contemporary dancer with Movement Continuum.
“My interest lies in space-making and how the physical environment shapes our social and emotional landscape,” Masharbash said. “While dance and civil engineering may seem unrelated, to me they are the same — both allow me to express creativity and explore how space connects community.”
Through the program, she has gained experience with industry tools such as Bluebeam and Lynn Imaging while learning the full lifecycle of a bid.
“As a student in the program, I feel like a sponge,” she said. “I am learning so much from the experts that speak at our sessions each week and from my peers who have experience in the industry.”
A unique learning model
Hala Nassereddine, a CBA professor, said the program’s impact lies in its intentional design.
After seeing strong student interest during its initial offering, she helped implement a structured approach that allows students to participate alongside industry professionals.
“The program provides students with an opportunity to learn new content, reinforce concepts from their coursework, and benchmark their knowledge and skills against professionals already working in the industry,” Nassereddine said.
More than a program, a launchpad
The Construction Business Accelerator extends beyond traditional education by creating lasting opportunities. Some participants continue collaborating on real contracts after completing the program, while others use the experience to strengthen family businesses or expand into new markets.
With access to bid rooms, project plans and industry professionals, students leave the program more knowledgeable, confident and connected.
As the program continues to grow, organizers say its impact is clear: It is not only preparing students for careers in construction, but helping them build the future of the industry.