Brenna Windish

Brenna Windish knew there was only one place she wanted to go to college: Arizona State University.

“I knew I wanted to go to ASU to stay close to my family,” Windish says. “Not to mention, everyone in my family attended ASU so it was fitting for me to attend ASU as well.”

She says it was the right decision to keep support close by as she built a future for herself in construction management in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU.

“At first I was hesitant about joining the construction industry because I didn’t know how I would fit in,” Windish says. “I knew that I did not want a typical desk job, so construction gave me the option to have a job where I would only be at a desk half of my day depending on the phase of a project.”

Windish has gotten a taste of her future in construction management by completing three internships in the field. She had two internships with AECOM Hunt working on a student-athlete performance center and a basketball facility, and one with Kitchell Contractors focusing on mechanical, electrical and plumbing trades for a new construction hospital.

She says she is thankful for the mentors she had, especially Associate Professor Jim Ernzen in the Del E. Webb School of Construction, part of the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment in the Fulton Schools. Windish was an undergraduate teaching assistant for Ernzen’s courses and had the opportunity to work alongside him in the concrete lab.

“Dr. Ernzen has had an active role in my growth here at ASU,” Windish says. “I was able to go to him with any questions I had about the industry.”

During her time at ASU, Windish was selected to receive the 2019–2020 UEB Advancing Women in Construction Scholarship, the 2020–2021 Del E. Webb Foundation Women in Construction Scholarship and the New American University — Provost’s Award. She also was on the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering dean’s list.

“My degree majorly impacts the lives of others. Without construction, society would not be able to progress,” Windish says. “Right now, my main career goal is to learn as much as I can.”

Following graduation, Windish plans to begin her career with Layton Construction, staying in the Valley and close to family.

Read about other exceptional graduates of the Fulton Schools’ Spring 2022 class here.