Mary Poulin

Department of Construction Management
1971–2013

Described by colleagues as the heart of the Department of Construction Management, Mary Poulin spent more than 40 years supporting the needs of students, faculty, and administrators, as well as the department’s many corporate partners.

She was honored as the 2002 Staff Employee of the Year for her dedication to the construction management program and the integral role she played in managing applications and documentation for grants, research contracts, and private gifts—work that supported hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding for hands-on student learning, faculty projects, and community initiatives. She oversaw a range of administrative activities that were vital to the success of students, faculty, and staff, including payroll, equipment purchases, and contract bidding and awards.

The department’s alumni and industry partners, who return to campus year after year to recruit the program’s majors, often sought her assistance. They commended Poulin’s work style, effectiveness, and communication, noting what an asset she was to the construction management department and the University as a whole. 

Poulin’s institutional service and influence stretched beyond construction management, where she maintained academic records for the department’s more than 370 majors. She facilitated important cross-departmental collaborations within the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management; served as the department’s liaison to offices throughout the University; and participated in many university-wide activities.

She assisted with the college’s outreach activities and regularly volunteered her weekends and evenings for graduation activities, President’s Scholars Day, Parents’ Day, and scholarship award ceremonies. Those who worked closely with her say she brought a perfect combination of grace and competence to her work and was the kind of top-notch professional every person should strive to be like.

Poulin received her AA from Butte Community College in 1971.