UNC Charlotte Launches The Albert School of Construction Through Alumni Gift

New school will prepare students for the full capital project lifecycle, addressing workforce needs in one of the nation's fastest-growing markets.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 1:24am

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A vibrant, high-contrast silkscreen illustration featuring a repeating grid of construction hard hats, safety vests, and blueprints in a bold, pop art style, conceptually representing the interdisciplinary skills and visionary approach of the new Albert School of Construction.The new Albert School of Construction at UNC Charlotte aims to equip the next generation of infrastructure leaders with interdisciplinary skills across the full capital project lifecycle.Charlotte Today

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has received a leadership gift from alumni Craig '85 and Darla '83 Albert to establish the Albert School of Construction in the William States Lee College of Engineering. The new school will prepare students to lead the planning, engineering, and delivery of complex infrastructure projects, equipping graduates with interdisciplinary skills across the full capital project lifecycle.

Why it matters

As Charlotte and North Carolina continue to grow, so does the complexity of the infrastructure that supports it. The Albert School of Construction will address the urgent need for construction capacity and workforce challenges facing major infrastructure projects, including an aging workforce and increasing demand for professionals with expertise across engineering, supply chain, and emerging technologies.

The details

The Albert School of Construction, the first in North Carolina to focus on the full capital project lifecycle, will prepare students for roles in planning, engineering, and delivering complex infrastructure projects. The school will bring together disciplines across engineering, business, and data science into a single, future-focused academic enterprise.

  • The University of North Carolina at Charlotte received the leadership gift in 2026.
  • The Albert School of Construction will launch in the coming academic year.

The players

Craig Albert

A 1985 UNC Charlotte alumnus, he is the president and chief operating officer of Bechtel Group Inc., the largest industrial engineering and construction company in the United States.

Darla Albert

A 1983 UNC Charlotte alumna, she is the co-chair of the For the Love of Charlotte campaign along with her husband, Craig.

Sharon L. Gaber

The chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Rob Keynton

The dean of the William States Lee College of Engineering at UNC Charlotte.

Lingguang Song

The newly named executive director of the Albert School of Construction, previously serving as department chair and professor of engineering technology and construction management.

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What they’re saying

“This investment allows us to align education more directly with the needs of our region and the nation. As Charlotte and North Carolina continue to grow, so does the complexity of the infrastructure that supports it. The Albert School of Construction will prepare graduates who understand the full scope of how projects are planned, built and sustained.”

— Sharon L. Gaber, Chancellor, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

“In every industry that improves people's lives, whether it's healthcare, technology or energy, none of those innovations reach the world unless we build the infrastructure that supports them. Right now, there's a real shortage of construction capacity. If we want those ambitions to be realized, we have to grow the number of professionals who can build the systems that make it all possible.”

— Craig Albert, President and Chief Operating Officer, Bechtel Group Inc.

“We are preparing students to step into complex projects with a broader understanding of how teams, systems and decisions connect. That perspective is what the industry is demanding, and it is what will set our graduates apart.”

— Lingguang Song, Executive Director, Albert School of Construction

What’s next

Planned investments include hands-on learning environments such as a construction field lab, expanded industry-integrated curriculum, and endowed faculty positions in areas critical to the future of construction.

The takeaway

The Albert School of Construction will address the urgent need for construction capacity and workforce challenges facing major infrastructure projects in Charlotte and across the nation, preparing graduates with the interdisciplinary skills to lead the planning, engineering, and delivery of complex infrastructure projects.