Kiara Trejo Featured on The Harper College “Harper Talks: The Alumni Podcast”

Ardmore Roderick Project Manager, Kiara Trejo, CCM, was featured on Harper College’s Harper Talks: The Alumni Podcast, sharing her story from being a student at Harper College to now serving as a Project Field Inspector at the new Canning Student Center.

Interviewed by Brian Shelton for the 53rd episode of the school’s alumni-based podcast, Kiara discusses what drew her to architecture and construction. “Growing up, I always loved math, and I loved-not designing per se-but drawing.” She also recalls being inspired early on, sharing, “I had some friends that were in an architecture club in high school, and I would see the plans, the blueprints, and all of that-it really intrigued me.”

Brian and Kiara also discuss the differences between a community college and a 4-year university and how, for Kiara, it just “felt right.”

Kiara went on to the Illinois Institute of Technology, where she shifted from architecture to construction management. “I didn’t want to just be behind a computer-I wanted to be on the field and see the progress of construction,” she explains. “I want to understand not only design, but the construction side too.”

When asked about being a Latina woman in a male-dominated field, Kiara shares, “You really don’t see a lot of Latina women in this field.” She explains how important it is for her to give back and serve as a role model: “It’s important to be that person for the next generation-just hoping to inspire. If you don’t see someone like you, you can’t picture it.”

Kiara emphasizes the importance of networking, noting that it “opens so many opportunities,” and even shares how she became involved in the Canning Student Center project- “the only reason I ended up on this project” was through a conversation with another Ardmore Roderick team.

Ardmore Roderick is partnered with CORE Construction for the Harper College Canning Student Center to the Illinois Capital Development Board. The project consists of a modern, three-story student hub that provides centralized student services, expands academic programs, and completes the campus core. The project also includes a pedestrian bridge that will connect the Foglia Foundation Health and Recreation Center and reconfigure the main drop-off area. Kiara serves as a Project Field Inspector, responsible for site supervision, plan review, analysis, and tracking of the project schedule, and other related construction management services.

Kiara describes working on this project as a full-circle moment, saying it feels like “going down memory lane.” She adds, “It’s incredible to return and now be part of building something here.”

We are excited to share Kiara’s story and look forward to seeing the finished project at the Harper College Canning Student Center.

Read more of Kiara’s podcast episode here!