Kennesaw State Construction Management Student Honored With National Award

Press release from Kennesaw State University:

Mar 4, 2021

Kennesaw State construction management student honored with national award

Cierra Danforth

KENNESAW, Ga.
(Mar 4, 2021) — Kennesaw State University construction management student Cierra Danforth was recently one of 15 students nationwide honored with the
Outstanding Student Award by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

The award recognizes student members of NAHB for their work in their local student
chapter, academic standing, level of involvement in the organization and their interest
in pursuing a career in the construction industry.

“Receiving this award has made me feel so accomplished and confident that I am doing
what I am meant to be doing,” Danforth said. “I feel so grateful, and it inspires
me to keep pursuing my dreams in construction management.”

Danforth’s passion for construction began during her childhood with her fascination
with LEGOs and her dollhouse. Her grandfather, a brick mason, influenced her to pursue
a career in construction after showing her the homes he helped build, inspiring her
to work on buildings that would stand long after she was gone.

Danforth represents a growing number of women entering in the construction industry
and is no stranger to success both academically and professionally. She has made the
dean’s list every semester of college, and she serves as the president of KSU’s NAHB chapter. As president, Danforth networks with industry professionals by setting up company
visits each month, and also volunteers with Atlanta ToolBank, HomeAid Atlanta and
Habitat for Humanity.

Danforth is also a member of the Association of General Contractors and Women in Construction,
and she currently interns at J.M. Wilkerson Construction, where she has helped to
oversee two building projects in Atlanta. Her internship has allowed her to see building
progress in-person and utilize her skills in finance and contracting, which Danforth
believes are some of the most important aspects of construction. Her dream is to become
a project manager and own her own company.

“I want to have a legacy and inspire women that they can own a construction company,
and I want to show other African American girls and boys that they can accomplish
what they set their hearts to and that they shouldn’t let anything discourage them,”
she said.

– Josh Milton

Photos by David Caselli

Related Stories

• KSU Engineering Professor Uses Data, Simulations to Combat COVID-19

Spring into action: KSU Athletics creates spring season like no other

Michael and Donna Coles Launch Scholarship Endowment to Support Veterans

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.

This press release was produced by Kennesaw State University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.