Christian Brothers University (CBU) announces a new dual enrollment partnership with Christian Brothers High School (CBHS) through the launch of two courses in Construction Engineering and Management. A first-of-its-kind collaboration between the two Lasallian institutions, this initiative represents another step forward in CBU’s broader strategy to strengthen academic partnerships, expand access to high-quality educational opportunities, and support workforce-aligned programs that benefit the Memphis community.

“This is more than dual enrollment; it is a strategy focused on preparing students for the future,” said Dr. Andrew Assadollahi, Dean of the Gadomski School of Engineering at Christian Brothers University. “By connecting high school students with real-world engineering concepts and hands-on experiences, we are building a stronger pipeline of talent to serve both our industry and the Memphis region.”

Beginning in Fall 2026, CBHS students can enroll in Construction Engineering & Management I and II, co-developed by both institutions to introduce high school students to one of the region’s highest-demand career fields. Students will earn college credits, build practical skills, and strengthen their readiness and competitiveness for college admissions and careers in engineering and construction.

Classroom instruction will take place at CBHS, with the lab component taking place at CBU. There, students will work in university-level facilities alongside college professors, and civil engineering and construction management students, gaining access to project collaboration and mentorship that a traditional high school setting cannot replicate. It is a deliberate design choice, exposing students to the rhythm and scale of a college campus while still in high school.

“We’ve wanted to offer this to our students for years, but always ran into an issue of space. This collaboration with CBU moves the program from dream to reality,” said John Goode, CBHS Vice President. “Both institutions have so many alumni across every area of construction, and this program celebrates them while encouraging the next generation of Brothers’ Boys to see the industry as an opportunity. Based on the early demand for this pilot, I believe we’re only scratching the surface.”

Matt Odom, P.E., a CBHS Class of 1992 alumnus and CBU Class of 1996 graduate, will serve as instructor for both courses. Odom most recently served as a chief engineer at Intertek PSI, bringing years of professional field experience to the classroom.

“For me, this collaboration is deeply personal,” said Brother Chris Englert, FSC, Interim President of Christian Brothers University. “My years serving at Christian Brothers High School and now at CBU have shown me the extraordinary strength of our shared Lasallian mission. Bringing these two institutions together in a way that directly benefits students is both meaningful and inspiring, and it reflects our long-standing commitment to educational excellence.”

What makes the partnership especially meaningful is the depth of its Lasallian DNA. In addition to Odom, nearly every leader at the table – Dr. Assadollahi (CBHS ’05, CBU ’09), Gene McGinnis, P.E. (CBHS ’74), Chair of Civil & Environmental Engineering at CBU, and Goode (CBHS ’07) – is a product of one or both institutions. The initiative emerged organically from alumni who were formed in the same tradition, recognized a need, and built the solution together. 

“This pathway blends engineering concepts, business strategy, technology, and leadership into a single applied course of study,” said Dr. Jamie Brummer, CBHS Principal. “Students will see how math, physics, and data analysis work in real construction environments, reinforcing classroom learning through hands-on application. That connection between knowledge and practice is at the heart of our mission to develop young men into leaders for the future.”