Cal Poly Mass Timber Construction Management Faculty Workshop

Mass timber is moving from niche applications into mainstream construction, and it’s incumbent on construction management programs to prepare students for the projects, jobsites, and delivery models they will encounter after graduation.

Hosted at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo—known for its learn-by-doing approach—the Mass Timber Construction Management Faculty Workshop is a three-day, hands-on program for CM educators who want to bring mass timber into their courses without redesigning an entire curriculum.

This workshop is offered in partnership with Think Wood and open to faculty from CM, Construction Science, Construction Engineering, and closely related programs from U.S. based schools. Accepted participants will receive complimentary access to the workshop, as well as lodging, meals, and travel reimbursement. 

 The workshop is designed around one practical outcome: helping participants leave with a teaching plan and ready-to-use resources they can implement in the next academic cycle. 

Over three days, participants will:  

• Develop a practical understanding of mass timber products, systems, terminology, and project delivery methods from a CM perspective—covering procurement, prefabrication, sequencing, constructability, logistics, moisture management, quality control, and cost implications
• Engage with mass timber products, hardware and connections, and equipment used for erection and hoisting–run by industry experts from Simpson Strong-Tie, Western Forest Products, XL Construction, Elevated Construction, and others. 
• Work through curriculum integration sessions and develop a Mass Timber Teaching Starter Plan—a personalized roadmap for incorporating mass timber content into an existing course, lab, or assignment in the next academic cycle
• Leave with a shared set of teaching resources—slides, case studies, activity guides, and sample prompts for classroom use—and access to a network of CM educators and industry partners advancing mass timber education nationwide.
• See the full workshop agenda here. 

The workshop is limited to 30 faculty members from U.S. based schools, with priority given to tenure-track faculty who plan to implement at least one mass timber teaching element in the 2026–27 academic year. 

Applications are due by August 21, 2026. 

Faculty interested in building the skills, confidence, and course materials needed to teach mass timber construction are encouraged to click here to apply.