National Construction Organization Celebrates CAEM Professor of Practice

March 22, 2024

Dean Papajohn is lauded for connecting students with industry, providing them with insightful real-world experience and offering exceptional mentorship.

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Dean Papajohn, left, and students studying construction engineering management attend a site visit hosted by Granite Construction.

Dean Papajohn, left, and students studying construction engineering management attend a site visit hosted by Granite Construction.

Dean Papajohn taught the University of Arizona’s first construction course in 2012 and has garnered over 20 awards for his work as an instructor and construction engineer in that time. Now, the Associated General Contractors has awarded the professor of practice for civil and architectural engineering and mechanics its Outstanding Educator award for 2024. The award recognizes exceptional educators in the field of construction who work with students both inside and outside the classroom.

“AGC is widely respected in the construction industry, so to receive this award is humbling and motivating,” Papajohn said. “It motivates me to continue working to introduce students to the great career opportunities there are in construction.”

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Dean Papajohn, professor of practice of civil and architectural engineering and mechanics at the University of Arizona College of Engineering.

Dean Papajohn, professor of practice in the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Mechanics.

Papajohn, who has taught at the university full-time since 2015, has been named Professor of the Year seven times within his department and six times won the Seniors’ Choice Professor Award.

Department head of civil and architectural engineering and mechanics Dominic Boccelli and professor Kevin Lansey submitted Papajohn’s nomination.

“He’s really great in the classroom. He gets students to be motivated,” Lansey said. “I heard a student say, ‘Dean asked me to do something and because he did, I couldn’t turn him down.’ The students recognize all that he does and are willing to contribute back because they know that he’s done so much.”

A Friend in the Industry

In addition to teaching an average of five classes per year, Papajohn sponsors a multitude of extracurricular programs for students – including UA Rise Together, a mentorship program for female undergraduate students in the CAEM department. He also started the TAKE 5 program, where two professional engineers take five students out to lunch to answer questions and talk about the construction industry. Papajohn serves as the faculty adviser for the student chapters of AGC, Design Build Institute of America, and National Organization of Business and Engineering, and organizes student competition teams for DBIA and the Associated Schools of Construction.

“He has his door open for anyone who needs help,” said Amy White, a project manager at Sundt Construction and 2018 civil engineering alum. “He really cares about making sure his students are successful, and that they have the opportunity to ask questions and get to really find their passion and explore different opportunities.” White added that Papajohn arranges meetings between students and industry professionals and sets up job site tours for students to get them experience in the field.

“You mention Dean at any industry event, and everyone goes, ‘Oh, I love Dean! He’s the nicest guy ever!’” White said. “There’s such an outpouring of support because everyone can see that he’s doing whatever he can to just do the right thing, and just try to help his students.”

His caring attitude and passion for helping students extends beyond construction engineering management, too.

“As an adviser, he meets with them to give them advice not just on careers, but academic advice,” Boccelli said. “Actually, a lot of students go to him just for advice, even if they’re not his students to be advising.”

Papajohn said he approaches teaching like a project manager – setting goals for students to achieve and organizing activities that actively complement those goals. This philosophy guides his vision of connecting industry with students.

The Outstanding Educator award provides Papajohn with $5,000 and a trip to the 2024 AGC convention. AGC is also granting two scholarships of $2,500 each to students chosen by Papajohn – Estefania Ramon and Leonardo Sanchez.

“It is wonderful that AGC wants to encourage the next generation of construction engineers with two scholarships,” Papajohn said.

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