Westphal College of Media Arts & Design

Kathleen Short is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Construction Management program in the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design at Drexel University.

Prior to joining Drexel University, she spent several years managing a Department of Labor TAACCCT grant used to develop the construction component of the University of the District of Columbia Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning program in Washington, DC. She has worked in project management in the construction industry in the DC Metro area and served 10 years as a social worker.

Additionally, Kathleen has spent more than 30 years volunteering for many different agencies including the Red Cross, as an OSHA safety instructor, and with organizations that assist the community. She currently serves on the board of Sigma Lambda Chi International (the international construction honor society) and the board of the Alexandria Jaycees Foundation in Alexandria, VA.

PhD, Environmental Design and Planning, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA; MS, Building/Construction Science and Management, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA; BSW, Social Work, Concord University, Athens, WV

Perrucci, D.V., Buitrago, G.C., McKay, B, Short, K., Santos, C. (2026). “An Exploratory Application of Low-Cost Drone Imagery and an Image Analysis Model to Evaluate Post-Disaster Recovery Progress for Planning Equitable Housing Recoveries Through Dynamic Funding Allocation,” Urban Science, 10(4), 199. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10040199

Short, K.M., Wang, X., Fiori, C.M. (2025). “Small Changes Can Have a Big Impact on Generation Z Students in Construction Classrooms”, 2025 Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 61st Annual International Conference, vol 6, pages 251 259. https://doi.org/10.29007/bgqj

Wang, X., Fiori, C.M., Short, K.M., (2024). “Learning Sustainable Development through Integrative Design Process: A Case Study”, 2024 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, June 23-26, 2024. Portland, OR. Accepted.

Hoshafi, T.N., Wang, X., Short, K.M., Fiori, C.M. (2024). “Implementing the Use of Evolutionary Algorithm to Develop Ultimate Decision-Making Process for Green Roof Building Materials,” 7th International Conference on Environmental and Energy Engineering, March 29-31, 2004.

Chengdu, China. Wang, X., Tritico, H. M., Short, K. M., & Honary, V. (2023). Service Learning Capstone Projects to Enhance Civil Engineering Education. 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition. https://peer.asee.org/service-learning-capstone-projects-to-enhance civil-engineering-education

Wang, X., Hasanzadeh, S. M., Short, K. M., & Fiori, C. M. (2023) Understanding the Technology Adoption Challenges in Construction Industry through Experiential Learning Models. Construction Research Congress 2024, March 20-23, 2024. Des Moines, IA.

Short, K.M. , Fiori, C.M, Pearce, A.R., McCoy, A.P., Bulbul, T. (2013). “The Influence of Internship Participation on Construction Industry Hiring Professionals When Selecting New Hires and Determining Starting Salaries for Construction Engineering Graduates,” 121st ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, June 15-18, 2014. Indianapolis, IN.

Pearce, A.R., Fiori, C.M., Short, K.M. (2012). "Synergistic Learning and Inquiry through Characterizing the Environment for Sustainability: An Internship-Based Benchmarking Process for Sustainability Innovations," 119th ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, June 10-13, 2012. San Antonio, TX.

Fiori, C.M., Jaselskis, E.J., Schexnayder, C., Shane, J., Becker, T.C., Short, K.M., Velásquez, E.R., Chang Recavarren, G. and Vranich, A. (2012). “Working in Inter-Disciplinary, Multi-Cultural Teams: Lessons from the Field.” Construction Research Congress Conference Proceedings, West LaFayette, Indiana, March 21-23, 2012.

Jaselskis, E., Schexnayder, C., Fiori, C., Becker, T., Hung, W., Beckman, C., Kaewmoracharoen, M., and Short, K. (2012) “Using Tele-Engineering As a Tool to Reverse Engineer the Inka Road.” Construction Research Congress, West LaFayette, Indiana, March 21-23 2012: pp. 2139-2148. doi: 10.1061/9780784412329.215

Jaselskis, E.J., Schexnayder, C., Fiori, C.M., Becker, T.C., and Short, K.M. (2011). “Using Tele-engineering as a Tool to Assist in Reverse Engineering of the Inka Road”, Innovation and Sustainable Construction in Developing Countries [CIB W107 Conference 2011), CIB - International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Pearce, A.R., Fiori, C.M., Langar, S., Mitra, C., and Short, K.M. (2011). "Student internship program as benchmarking system for sustainable practice." National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC) Proceedings, August 25, 2011, Bellevue, WA.

Pearce, A.R., Mitra, C., Fiori, C.M., Short, K.M., and Langar, S. (2011). “A Benchmarking System for Sustainable Practice through Student Internships.” Proceedings, 27th Annual Research Symposium, Blacksburg, VA, March 23.

Pearce, A.R., Fiori, C.M., Short, K.M. and Novak, V. (2010). “Synergistic Learning & Inquiry through Characterizing the Environment for Sustainability (SLICES): Improving Understanding of Real World Systems through Observation & Reflection” ASEE Southeastern Section Annual Conference, April 18-20, Blacksburg, VA.

Research Interests

• Workforce Development
• Construction Safety
• Experiential Learning
• Leadership Development

Creative Work

Coach for the Drexel commercial competition team for the annual Associated Schools of Construction Region 1 student competition.

Faculty advisor for the Drexel student chapter of Sigma Lambda Chi, the international construction honor society.

Board member for the Sigma Lambda Chi International organization.

Board member for the Alexandria Jaycees Foundation, a non-profit organization created from the Alexandria, Virginia Jaycees to continue service to the northern Virginia community and beyond.