From Classroom to Jobsite: GRCC Students Tour Construction in Action
Jan. 30, 2026 Bridging classroom learning with real-world experience gives students a richer college education and prepares them for the workforce. Grand Rapids Community College cultivates a learning environment that emphasizes collaboration with industry professionals, providing students with a well-rounded education as they begin their careers. Assistant Professor Corri Sandwick values real-world learning. During the fall 2025 semester, she partnered with Dykhouse Construction and Elevate Studio Architecture Design to give students firsthand exposure to an active renovation site at Encounter Church. Students in the Construction Materials course toured the job site with Aaron Ide of Dykhouse Construction and Susan Arnold of Elevate Studio Architecture Design. “I was looking for ways to get students out to see actual materials and construction rather than just spending time in the classroom,” Sandwick said. “The jobsite was a direct connection to what we were reading about. This was a perfect site because it included all the materials we had been talking about in class, like wood, concrete and steel.” Seeing a project in progress helped students understand concepts that are often hidden once construction is complete. “It can be harder to imagine what’s happening inside the walls when you see a finished structure,” Sandwick said. “Seeing it in its raw state helps students take what we’ve read and apply it in real time to what they’re seeing on site.” The class includes students from architecture technology , construction management and facilities management programs. In the classroom, students can feel like separate parts taking the same course. Touring the site with both the architect and the construction team allowed them to see how those roles intersect in practice. “It was so valuable to see the challenges each department runs into,” Sandwick said. “The students heard honest conversations about troubleshooting. It’s a renovation project, so there are always questions and issues. Hearing the dialogue about what was discovered, what the team was thinking and how they solved challenges while still meeting the client’s needs was incredibly impactful.” Students are encouraged to build connections with industry professionals, pursue internships and gain hands-on experience as an extension of classroom learning. Opportunities like this give students a clearer picture of the environments they may work in after graduation as well as provide them with a starting point for making connections within their area of interest. “I think it’s great to get students in early and often so they truly understand what a jobsite looks like,” Ide said. “No matter their major, being able to see it helps them envision what it will be like after graduation.” Ide, construction manager for the church renovation, said he was impressed by the students’ engagement. “They asked a lot of good questions about how things went together and why they were done that way,” he said. “They weren’t just thinking about what was happening, but why it was happening. That speaks well for the future and for students coming out of college.” Arnold, an architect with Elevate Studio Architecture Design and the point of contact for the renovation project, brought a nontraditional perspective to the experience. Her career path included time serving abroad with the Peace Corps. “I think it’s great for students to see a woman architect,” Arnold said. “I’ve had an unconventional career path, and I haven’t always worked full time for a firm, but my career has been really good.” In addition to learning about construction methods, students saw the importance of communication and collaboration among firms. “Since I have a mix of architecture, facilities management and construction management students, experiences like this help them see collaboration in action,” Sandwick said. “It’s not always linear. The client may want one thing, the architect designs another, and the contractor has different considerations. Understanding the whole picture leads to more successful projects.” Students had two opportunities to visit the jobsite, once during the semester and again during a voluntary visit over winter break. “I didn’t know what to expect in terms of turnout,” Ide said. “What surprised me was how strong it was both times. The students cared about seeing the project through and learning how earlier issues were resolved.” Ide said working with students benefits the industry as a whole. “Being able to invest in future architects and construction managers and get them excited helps raise the industry,” he said. “The more we push to better ourselves, the more we improve safety and deliver better results for clients.” Both Dykhouse Construction and Elevate Studio Architecture Design expressed interest in continuing their collaboration with GRCC as projects allow. The experience benefited the students and the professionals alike by strengthening relationships and reinforcing the importance of teamwork. “It’s really about collaboration,” Arnold said. “Issues and obstacles are a normal part of the process, but communication, perseverance and working as a team make it possible to deliver the best outcome for the client.” Visit GRCC’s Mechanical and Architectural Design Department web page to explore more programs and learn about exciting careers! This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell
