SPP Goes Virtual, Bringing Participants ‘A Little Bit of Normal’

April 28, 2020

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, companies and schools across the country have transitioned to online solutions to continue to meet the needs of their constituents. For Clark Construction’s Strategic Partnership Program (SPP), the situation is no different. The company-led executive MBA-style program provides training and development opportunities for small minority-, women-, and veteran-owned firms in the fields of construction, engineering, and architecture. Under normal circumstances, SPP participants meet weekly for three-hour, in-person seminars. In early March, that all changed.

From San Francisco to Washington, DC, and throughout the nation, stay-at-home orders made it impossible to continue classes in person. With many programs nearing completion and students moving on to their final capstone project, SPP leaders knew they needed a plan to keep the program moving forward, and keep students connected and engaged in the safest manner possible.

"From day one, we have remained committed to providing a meaningful and engaging classroom experience for the students in our SPP," said Wes Stith, a vice president at Clark who helped found the program. “Although circumstances have changed, our commitment to the success of the students hasn't. Each small business participant has invested a significant amount of time and energy into the program – and into their professional development. We wanted to find a way for all students to complete this journey and regain some sense of normalcy with weekly classes.”

Administrators of active SPP courses in Seattle, San Francisco, Orange County, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC, worked quickly, distributing a survey to gauge students’ ability – and desire – to continue the program virtually. The response was overwhelmingly positive.

“I am thrilled that the Strategic Partnership Program is continuing in this virtual manner,” said Marti Hoffer, CEO of lumenomics, Inc., a student in the Seattle class.

Though Clark leaders initially considered suspending classes, hoping to begin again in person in late spring, the group ultimately determined a distance learning solution would provide the best avenue for students to complete their coursework and graduate from the program.

Strategic Partnership Program classes resumed via video conference in April and plans to address how participants will present their capstone projects in a virtual classroom setting are underway.

“Having the regularly scheduled classes resume is refreshing and helps us forget about the current pandemic,” said Oscar Perez-Forero of Montez Group, Inc., a student in the San Francisco class. “Our cohort has grown together as a community and moving the program to a virtual setting allows us to continue to build relationships with each other and Clark.”

Clark is also exploring how to leverage distance learning platforms for its next cohort. Applications for the 2020/21 SPP will be accepted through June 30. Interested firms can visit https://clarksdg.wufoo.com/forms/m66v9od0kgorei/ to apply.