An Interview with Kayla Schaugaard
Published: June 17, 2025 | Author: Abbie Cochrane | Read Time: 3 minutes
Cedar City, UTAH-
As Cedar City grows exponentially, so do the opportunities for students on the engineering and construction tracks at Southern Utah University. One such student is Kayla Schaugaard, who has contributed her talents in both fields in the classroom and in the community. Double majoring in construction management and engineering technology, Schaugaard has seen her professional goals change as she has gained experience on campus and beyond.
Originally from Brigham City, Utah, Schaugaard originally chose SUU for the small class sizes and the advantage that provided her to engage more with the professors and have a more discussion-based environment. As she progressed through the program, her initial passion for architecture evolved into a passion for construction management with the help of the faculty she interacted with.
"If it wasn't for Professor Baker, I wouldn't have started pursuing a degree in Construction Management. The dedication and support he gives his students is unmatched. I realized that the professors and students in this program shared my values and goals. They felt like my kind of people and I wanted to be part of that community.said Schaugaard. "The professors, the program, and the construction management club feel like family. It feels like family to be a TBird."
Currently, Schaugaard is interning with Layton Construction and their efforts on the Iron County Jail project taking place in Cedar City. Throughout her internship, she has found herself utilizing the hands-on skills she acquired in the classroom and in her field experience, the most prominent ability being the use of scheduling and estimating software.
"It's been really good," Schaugaard said about her internship experience. "My team has been amazing. They are teaching me so much because, even with two internships, I still have a lot to learn. They take the concepts I've learned in the classroom and show me how to apply them to our project. My team has been helping me become a better project engineer.
Schaugaard secured both of her internships through the construction management club at SUU. The club hosts events like lunch-and-learns that facilitate networking with various companies.
In addition to professional networking, the club provides its members, like Schaugaard, with the opportunity to compete in the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) competition in Reno, Nevada. This year, Schaugaard and her team developed a project and won first place in the design and build.
"I was just happy to see our school get the recognition it deserves. Both my classmates and professors have put in an incredible amount of effort, so it was meaningful for all of us to be recognized for our dedication and hard work," said Schaugaard.
ASC and the construction internship are just a couple of examples of how SUU has helped Schaugaard prepare for her career. Beyond hands-on learning and field work, Schaugaard has also learned how to overcome any challenges that arise on-site through teamwork and communication between designers and engineers. To Schaugaard, the sense of ownership and contribution to society through building projects is the biggest fulfillment of her chosen career.
As Schaugaard progresses further into her profession, her goals include continuing to make SUU proud by being a good team player and advancing in project management by heading her own projects.
To new and current students, Schaugaard advised, "Be fully here. Get involved early in clubs and make connections and you'll find where you belong." Watch the rest of Schaugaard’s interview.
SUU is grateful for students like Schaugaard who represent the best SUU has to offer. To learn more about the construction management track, visit the SUU Academic Programs website. To view available clubs and organizations on campus, search on the SUU Club webpage.Tags: Student Management College of Engineering and Computational Sciences Career and Professional Development CurStu T-Bird Stories Prospective Students Academic Engineering and Technology
Contact Information:
Brooke Heath
435-586-5400
brookeheath1@suu.edu