Construction Management major receives Mark M. Welter World Citizen Award

Gregory Gbee, 30, a student in the Construction Management program at Dakota County Technical College, has received the Mark M. Welter World Citizen Award, a LeadMN scholarship program. The awards are given to Minnesota State students who illustrate an exemplary grasp of our complex, intertwined world.

“I am truly honored to receive the Mark M. Welter World Citizen Award,” Gregory said. “This recognition inspires me to continue striving for excellence in both my academic pursuits and community involvement. Thanks to DCTC and its staff for believing in me and meaningfully acknowledging my efforts.”

College Game Night at the St. Paul Saints August 2022

Greg is set to graduate from DCTC December 2024 with his associate of science (A.S.) degree. He plans to transfer a four-year school, most likely Metropolitan State University, to earn his bachelor of science (B.S.) in the construction field.

“After graduation, I want to build a construction firm impacting society meaningfully while creating jobs for my fellow peers,” Greg said. “I would like to specialize in flipping houses as a real estate investment strategy.”

Greg is an exceptionally engaged student at DCTC. He served as Student Senate vice president and a student ambassador. He served on the Academic Affairs vice president search committee and as a member of the college’s Public Safety and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon committees. He has volunteered during campus blood drives and completed Heart of a Leader Training.

While attending DCTC, Greg works full-time as a medical assembler at Medtronic in Brooklyn Park. “My advice to students going to college while working full time is that it’s a very difficult thing to accomplish if your mind is not focus,” he said. “It’s stressful and requires time and discipline, but best believe, whatever the heart perceives with dedication and consistency, you can accomplish it.”

More about the Mark M. Welter World Citizen Award¹

Mark M. Welter (center)

Mark M. Welter World Citizen Awards are given to Minnesota State students who exemplify an understanding of the interconnected world in which they live. They should exemplify the thoughts, words, and actions demanded of a 21st century world citizen.

Ideally, the students selected and nominated share some or all of the following beliefs/commitments:

• All people are of a common species who share a common adventure in a common home.
• The world shares common problems (pollution, terrorism, challenges) but views them through differing cultural and religious value perspectives.
• All citizens of planet Earth mutually share an interconnected, fragile biosphere.
• All people-all cultures, all creeds, all colors, and all countries-have been “depositors and with drawers at the world bank of knowledge.”
• Our world is increasingly, inexorably, and undeniably interdependent.
• No one nation, people, religion, or creed can unilaterally deal with contemporary challenges of pollution, population, poverty, pandemics, and peace.

The candidate must be in good academic standing and will have graduated from high school. Financial need may be considered. PSEO students are eligible upon graduation.

For this award, eligible students are nominated by an academic or student affairs vice president, dean, or director at one of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

LEARN MORE…

More about Gregory…

Gregory Gbee

Greg is originally from Buchanan City in Liberia, the third largest city in the West African country, which is the continent’s first and oldest modern republic. He earned an Agriculture A.A. from Grand Bassa Community College in Pynsberry Berry, Liberia, in 2016. He worked as an agriculture extension officer for the Community Youth Network Program (CYNP) Inc. in Monrovia from 2014 to 2017.

“I miss my family in Liberia the most,”said Greg, who has 15 sisters and brothers. “I also miss my church, soccer, and intellectual forums.”

Greg moved to the U.S. in February 2017 to pursue higher education opportunities and find a better life. He joined the U.S. Army in November 2022, completing his basic training and AIT (Advanced Individual Training) with honors, graduating with an Iron Soldier Medal for having the highest PT score in his unit.

He serves today as a private first class in the Minnesota National Guard with the 334th Brigade Engineer Battalion. He is a horizontal construction engineer and earned a Heavy Equipment Operator certificate in the military.

“What I like best about serving in the Minnesota National Guard are discipline and defending the constitution,” Greg said.

Greg family, college, and life gallery

Staff perspective: Nicole Meulemans

Anna, Nicole, and Greg

“Greg is an exemplary student and an outstanding member of our DCTC campus community. He not only strives for academic excellence, but also holds himself to the highest standards in everything he does—whether it is in his role as a student leader, his service in the military, or his relationships with his family, friends, and community.

“Greg’s commitment and dedication will without a doubt help him reach new heights. I am honored that DCTC is a part of his journey and excited to see all that Greg accomplishes in his future.”

Nicole Meulemans
Student Support Services & Student Development Director
Dakota County Technical College

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Staff perspective: Anna Voight

Anna and Greg

“Greg has been an exceptional addition to our Student Senate, Student Ambassador team, and student body as a whole. His integrity and work ethic are unparalleled. He is an exceptional mentor and role model for other students. I look forward to witnessing Greg’s continued involvement on campus and growth as a leader as works towards for his future goals.”

Anna Voight
Student Life Associate Director
Dakota County Technical College

Gregory Gbee • Q & A

Gregory Gbee

What do you find most interesting about the Construction Management program?

I find earning an associate degree in Construction Management as important because there’s a demand for the career on the job market.

What motivated you to pursue a career in the construction industry?

In as much there’s a demand on the job market, I also do have my personal goal of becoming home flipper and that’s in lieu of what I anticipate pursuing.

What are the most rewarding and challenging elements of your role as Student Senate vice president?

I served as student senate secretary before I became vice president. I’ve been on a number of committees such as Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (BTYR) and Public Safety and worked with the DCTC Foundation.

The most important and rewarding aspects of my role serving as student senate vice president are the abundance of opportunities that have followed. Through my dedication and commitment on campus, I have met the senior leadership of the college. I was able to meet the U.S. president during his visit to our campus. I also met our Minnesota senators, representatives, and other government officials during a discussion of the American Competes Act.

Also, I enjoy fully representing the entire student body while seeking their wellbeing. I like the people I work with and appreciate the positive impact I am able to have on the lives of students and staff who surround me.

The only challenge I’ve had were the technological aspects of my work, however, was able to adapt to that challenge very fast.

Greg during President Joe Biden’s DCTC visit in November 2021

Three words that describe you as a college student:
DETERMINED. FOCUSED. CONSISTENT.

What advice would you give students thinking about getting involved in student clubs and organizations on campus?

As I have always said to the many students I have interacted with on campus, there’s an abundance of resources, opportunities, and information out there that they only have access to if they leave their comfort zone and get involved into student activities on campus.

What person has influenced your life the most and why?

I have a few people I look up to as role models, both men and women.

If you could make one thing happen on Earth right now, what would it be?

Peace and security.

One word that best describes your experience at DCTC:

BEST

Gregory Gbee • 10 Answers

1. Favorite sport or physical activity: Soccer, gym workouts
2. Place you would most like to visit: Swaziland, Ethiopia, and Germany
3. Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Invest 2) Charity 3) Invest
4. Best book or movie you’ve read or seen lately: Book: How to Be a 3% Man by Corey Wayne | Movie: Rise of the Planet of the Apes
5. Time period (past or future) you would explore if you could time travel: Present
6. One thing you most want to accomplish in your life: Becoming successful and making maximum impact in the lives of others
7. Dream occupation: Construction project manager
8. Person you would most like to meet: I met the president of the U.S. already, and I am still the same ?; the spirit of the Lord is what I would most like to meet—life-changing moment
9. Skill you would most like to learn and master: Horizontal construction, construction project management , and construction in general
10. Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Climate change

Learn more about the Construction Management program at DCTC by contacting:

Admissions
admissions@dctc.edu
651-423-8266
Room 2-110

Learn more about the Student Senate and Student Life at DCTC by contacting:

¹ SOURCE: LeadMN

More about Construction Management at DCTC…

The Construction Management program prepares you for supervisory and management positions in the construction industry. The curriculum combines basic fundamentals with key courses in applied management, engineering, design, and business that are required to manage complex construction projects.

Construction management is an ideal career choice if you have a strong, general interest in building and design plus an aptitude for taking the lead role on big projects from start to finish. As a construction manager, you’ll oversee all phases of a project, from planning to budgeting to production.

Program Awards

Construction Management A.S. degree: 60 credits (100% Online)
Construction Management A.A.S. degree: 60 credits (100% Online)
Construction Codes & Inspection certificate: 24 credits (100% Online)
Construction Codes & Permitting Specialist certificate: 23 credits (100% Online)

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Construction Managers

Coordinate all the work that is involved in building or maintaining structures.

WAGE

This career that pays well above the statewide median of $24.25/hour

Minnesota

Median: $48.41/hour
High: $60.73/hour

Seven-county Twin Cities metro

Median: $49.18/hour
High: $62.31/hour

OUTLOOK

In Minnesota, there are 5,310 workers employed in this medium-sized career, which is in very high demand and seeing very high growth compared to other careers. Growth rate in the state is 12 percent.

There will be a need for about 7,246 new Construction Managers to meet market demand between 2020-2030. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.

SOURCE: Minnesota State CAREERwise Education (December 12, 2023)