Rachell Smith Joins CCCE
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Rachell Smith has been named program manager of the California Center for Construction Education (CCCE), an educational outreach unit in Cal Poly’s Construction Management (CM) Department.
A primary goal of the CCCE is to establish and sustain high levels of engagement with the architecture, engineering and construction industry. In her new role, Smith will serve as the connector between student studies, the construction management faculty, and industries serving the built environment.
“As the point person for the construction industry at Cal Poly, I look forward to building connections between the industry and our students in a way that is mutually beneficial,” Smith said. “I have grown up in the construction management industry — my first coloring books were literally blue prints! But most importantly, I am rooted in this industry, the SLO community, and Cal Poly.”
As a third-generation Mustang and graduate of Cal Poly with a degree in graphic design and a minor in graphic communication, Smith is familiar with the Cal Poly community. She is also the daughter of a construction management alumnus. Post-graduation, Rachell worked in advertising in San Francisco before returning to San Luis Obispo to work for a multi-media company.
Her most recent San Luis Obispo-based position was with Collaboration Business Consulting, where she managed a portfolio of more than 500 small- to medium-sized businesses and acted as their advocate and liaison. During her tenure at Collaboration, Smith built strong relationships within the construction/manufacturing industries in San Francisco, San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles.
Smith’s strengths lie in her innate ability to build long-lasting relationships with strategic partners, community leaders and key stakeholders, and she is eager to find creative ways to bring key people together.
"Rachell brings a wide breadth of skills to the CCCE and the CM Department that will enhance our industry connections and further student success,” said Scott Kelting, Ed.D., Cal Poly construction management professor. “We are fortunate to have Rachell on the team."
Smith can be reached at (805) 756-1723 or rsmit120@calpoly.edu, and connect with her on LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/rachellnewburnsmith.
