Outstanding Graduate loved being part of first-place concrete solutions team
Outstanding Graduate Mackenzie Schmader majored in construction management and technology at the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU. Photo courtesy of Mackenzie Schmader
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2025 graduates.
Mackenzie Schmader earned her Bachelor of Science in construction management and technology from Arizona State University because she’s fascinated by how things are built and the technology that drives the industry.
“ASU’s innovative approach and emphasis on practical experience have allowed me to turn that passion into a strong foundation for a successful career,” Schmader says.
She chose to attend the Del E. Webb School of Construction, in the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment — part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering — because of its strong academic program and the opportunities it offers.
Her “aha!” moment came during her first internship.
“Despite the 5 a.m. starts, long hours and steep learning curve, I found myself enjoying every second of it,” Schmader says. “The energy of the construction industry — from the fast-paced environment to the incredible people — confirmed that I was exactly where I was meant to be.”
She served as president of Advancing Women in Construction and as vice president of the Construction Management Association of America at ASU, and she was part of ASU’s concrete and commercial teams at the Associated Schools of Construction, or ASC, Region 6 Student Competition, most recently serving as student chair for the organization.
“One of my biggest achievements was winning first place with the concrete solutions team at the 2023 ASC Student Competition,” Schmader says.
She says one of the most impactful events Advancing Women in Construction hosted was a wagon-building activity with a Girl Scout troop that introduced girls to construction and aimed to inspire an interest in STEM.
“Our group of Women in STEM worked alongside the Girl Scouts to build and decorate red rider wagons, which the troop then used to help sell cookies,” Schmader says.
For the past two years, she interned with McCarthy Building Companies, working on ASU’s University Gateway Building in Tempe and the ISTB 12 project on the Polytechnic campus.
Schmader received scholarships from The PENTA Building Group, Advancing Women in Construction, ASU (the New American University – President’s Award), National Association of Women in Construction, Dave Clifton Memorial and ASPE Chapter 6, Erma and Clyde Easterly Jr. Construction Scholarship, AGC Education and Research Foundation, and the National Academy of Construction.
After graduation, Schmader will complete ASU’s accelerated master’s degree program and serve as a project engineer for McCarthy Building Companies in Phoenix.
“I aspire to lead large construction project teams and make a positive impact on the community through the projects we bring to life,” Schmader says.
More about Mackenzie Schmader
- Hometown: Chandler, Arizona.
- High school: Hamilton.
- Hobby: Golf.
- TV show: "Breaking Bad."
- Movie: "Tombstone."
- Geeky possession: Construction models.
- Book: "Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win" by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin.
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