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An Interview with Dr. Tulio Sulbaran,

UTSA Construction Science

Management Department Chair

GSABA Government Affairs and Education Director Trevor Whitney recently
sat down with Dr. Tulio Sulbaran, who took over as the new department
chair at UTSA’s Construction Science Management Department this
summer after a stint at the University of Southern Mississippi. GSABA is
forming strong ties with the school to help build the future of our industry.

Trevor: Welcome to San Antonio! When you first took over acre site in Michigan. How can GSABA members, builders
the Construction Science Management (CSM) program, and associates, assist in preparing the team for success?
what were your first impressions of UTSA and of San Tulio: This will be the first time in the history of the
Antonio itself? construction program that a student team will represent
Tulio: I was very impressed with the hospitality of the San Antonio and UTSA in this competition. The financial
people in San Antonio. Everybody has been extremely support that GSABA and the Greater San Antonio
friendly. Furthermore, the students are very engaged in Education Foundation (GSAEF) is providing is key for our
their organizations, and their work is impressive. They are students to be able to participate in this competition;
fantastic! Interestingly, most of the students pursuing the without this support, they would not be able to afford it.
Construction Science and Management degree at UTSA Additionally, it is very important that companies volunteer
are minorities. In 2016, 67% of our students were Hispanic to mentor our students in best industry practices and
or African American and 23% were females. This makes share lessons they have learned. The students are ready
our program unique among similar programs.
to learn and eager to hear experts in these areas share
Trevor: What kind of students is the program producing, their knowledge and experiences.
and what can employers expect by hiring graduates of Trevor: The Greater San Antonio Education Foundation
the UTSA CSM Program?
(GSAEF), a charitable arm of GSABA, announced a
Tulio: Our graduates can immediately contribute to the $100,000 endowment at the UTSA Construction Science
companies that hire them and grow with the company. Management Department in August of 2017. What does
Construction companies and sub-contractors should this kind of investment do for the program, and how can
expect our graduates to be able to assist in the field and individual companies also support the program?
in the office immediately after graduation. Many students
begin helping companies before graduation through our Tulio: There are many barriers for students to obtain a
required internship program. university degree. This is particularly true for Hispanic,
African American, and female students in construction
Trevor: What is your vision for the program in the next 3-5 programs. The endowment provides financial assistance
years? to UTSA construction students for perpetuity. This financial
Tulio: The construction department at UTSA welcomes assistance will without a doubt make a difference in
the engagement and active participation of industry the lives of students that receive it. However, this initial
professionals to take the construction program to the endowment should only be considered a starting point,
next level. The combined efforts of industry partners as many other students are still in need of financial
and professors will improve the students’ educational assistance. Thus, companies that consider themselves
experiences, making graduates from the program better leaders in the industry should explore the possibility of
every year.
donating a modest amount to help our industry’s future
Trevor: UTSA will send a team to compete in the generations. Companies should invest in the construction
International Builders’ Show’s Residential Construction department at UTSA to ensure that talented faculty
Management Competition in January of 2018. Students continue to improve the quality of education that we
will have to create a proposal to develop a fictitious 76 provide to our students.

10 OCTOBER 2017 | GREATER SAN ANTONIO BUILDERS ASSOCIATION