STEM Shoutout: Dr. Susan Bogus Halter
Engineering Professor awarded NAHB Outstanding Educator of the Year
Dr. Susan Bogus Halter, professor of civil, construction, and environmental engineering, was named the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) Outstanding Educator of the Year at the International Builders Show (IBS) conference in January 2020.
“After working in industry for 10 years, I made the decision to get my Ph.D. and join academia,” Bogus Halter said. “I have never regretted this decision, and I enjoy being a part of the educational experience of so many different students.”
Bogus Halter received her Ph.D. from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2004 before joining UNM faculty as an assistant professor the same year. She became a full professor in 2017 and is now one of six female full professors in the School of Engineering.
The Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering holds membership in the regional NAHB chapter, Home Builders Association of New Mexico. Through this membership, they are able to sponsor the student organization Lobo Builders, of which Bogus Halter is the faculty advisor.
“My involvement centers around being the faculty advisor to the student chapter, connecting industry to our students through internships and guest lectures in our classes, and listening to the industry’s needs for future employees,” Bogus Halter said.
The Lobo Builders attended the 2020 IBS conference in Las Vegas, Nevada last month with Bogus Halter. The group competed in the four-year school competition against 40 other universities.
“I work hard to introduce the students to local home builders who can help them prepare for the competition,” Bogus Halter said.
The annual IBS conference brings together almost 1,500 top manufacturers globally to showcase the most in-demand products in the world of home building and construction.
Bogus Halter said that her involvement in the student organization is her main avenue involvement at the IBS.
“This award was made possible by my close interaction with the local home building community which allows me to understand what our students need to learn to be successful after they graduate,” Bogus Halter said.