Prof. Ofori-Boadu gets high recognition in US

An Associate Professor of Construction Science and Management, Prof  Andrea Nana Ofori-Boadu, a lecturer at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has been recognized by the U.S. National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

This recognition was for her dedication to inspiring the next generation of residential construction industry leaders.

The recognition happened during the celebration of the International Women’s Day on March 8, 2023,

In 2020, Prof. Ofori-Boadu also received the NAHB Outstanding Educator award in recognition of high teaching standards in construction education.

Women contribute significantly to the residential construction industry and dedicate time to inspire the next generation of home builders.

NAHB described Prof.  Ofori-Boadu, as one individual leading the way to encourage more women to explore architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) career pathways.

Prof. Ofori-Boadu serves as a mentor to female construction students.

She has secured scholarships, internships, mentorships and other professional development resources for her mentees.

In addition, Prof. Ofori-Boadu co-coaches the NAHB student competition team at the University.

She is excited about participating in this year’s NAHB Student Chapters and Workforce Development team’s first-ever Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Student and Faculty Leadership programme.

This new initiative aims to expand opportunities with students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) through leadership development seminars and networking opportunities throughout the year.

“I am delighted and appreciative of the opportunity to collaborate with NAHB to strengthen the leadership skills of undergraduate and graduate Construction Management students at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University,” Prof. Ofori-Boadu said.

Inspired by her dad, Prof. Ofori-Boadu’s professional journey began in Ghana, where she loved math, science and art as a girl.

A friend introduced her to a building technology programme, which combined engineering and management principles and she later earned her Ph.D. from Indiana State University.

In 2019, she received a National Science Foundation (NSF) award, which helped establish the Emerging Built Environment Women (EBEW) Center at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, providing mentoring, professional development, scholarships, internships, informal learning experiences, and other resources to girls and women interested in AEC career pathways.

Born in Accra, Prof. Ofori-Boadu grew up under the guidance of her high-achieving parents, Mr Sam Poku and Mrs. Mary Poku.

She obtained a First Class in Building Technology at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in 1997.

She moved to North Carolina in 2000 with her husband, Victor Ofori-Boadu.

In her professorial role at the North Carolina  Agricultural  and Technical State University, Prof. Ofori-Boadu has contributed to the intellectual and career development of hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students.

Her research work has resulted in numerous citations, publications, presentations, grants, and her U.S. patent (No. 11,104,611; August 31, 2021) titled ‘Swine-waste Biochar As A Sustainable Cement Replacement Material.”

She hopes that her journey inspires more girls and women to seriously consider pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers.