Schack Institute Spotlight: Graduating Student Series – Keisha Spradley

Keisha Spradley is a candidate for the MS in Construction Management at the NYU SPS Schack Institute of Real Estate. She will graduate on May 19 and serve as flag bearer during the Convocation ceremony. Spradley graduated with a BS in Labor Studies from Empire State College in 2018. She is a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union #3, where she has served as a mentor, forewoman, lead electrician and current president of the union’s Amber Light Society. Since joining the IBEW over a decade ago, she has continued to take advantage of every opportunity to continue her education and personal growth. While pursuing her degree full-time, she has continued to work full-time as a forewoman for Aurora Electric and lead electrician for E-J Electric. She lives by one simple edict, “Whenever the moment arises, we must seize the opportunity to become something greater.”

What has been your favorite Schack Institute of Real Estate experience?
I started the program during the pandemic, so I've missed a lot of the peer interaction. Some of my favorite experiences were meeting up with other students for study groups, group projects, or hanging out.

Looking back at your NYU experience, of what are you most proud?
The moments that make me the proudest are when I push myself outside of my comfort zone and tackle a new skill. There have been many such opportunities in the last two years.

What was your favorite class and why? Favorite professors and why?
My favorite instructor/class was adjunct professor Raymond Moran’s Construction Methods & Technology. I've never learned so much in a single semester. And his instructional videos are reference gold; I wish I could have access to them throughout my career. Also, I enjoyed Professor Richard Lambeck’s Applied Project Planning, Control & Completion Strategies class. At the beginning of the semester, his breadth of knowledge and experience can be intimidating. He knows everything about everything. However, you leave his class with the confidence and the competence to manage any construction project. And as he is fond of saying, “If you can build it here, you can build it anywhere.”

What is something you wish you had known when you started at the Schack Institute of Real Estate?
I would have started sooner if I knew everyone would be so supportive, especially to working adults. I didn't expect a hands-on approach from such a large university, but everyone makes you feel like you are the only student that matters at that moment. Your personal goals matter to the staff, your well-being, and your success matters. I hate to sound like a cliché, but you feel the love at NYU SPS.

What are your plans for after graduation?
I’m an IBEW Local #3 electrician. During this last semester, I've been allowed to split my work week between working on the electrical crew and working with the project managers. After I take the PMP certification exam, I plan to transfer full-time to project management. I would eventually like to work as a construction superintendent.