CIM Program History

In 1995 leaders in the concrete industry recognized a need for a program to develop skills specifically suited for the concrete and construction industry. The following year, the Concrete Industry Management (CIM) program was created to supply the concrete industry with future managers and leaders while providing graduates with the education and training they need to excel in a broad array of careers within the industry.

The CIM program got its start in 1996, enrolling its first two students at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). The program’s popularity spread across the country over the next decade and a half, expanding to universities in major economic regions of the U.S. including New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), California State University - Chico, South Dakota State University, and right here at Texas State University.

Since its start the CIM program has had the support of the concrete industry, associations and other business leaders in the wider construction industry. The National Steering Committee (NSC), along with industry Patron's Boards at each university, advance their local CIM programs by providing mentorship, learning opportunities, funding and other support for students.

Texas is one of the largest markets for cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates and concrete products, regularly leading the U.S. in both consumption and production due to our Texas-sized construction economy. In the mid-to-late 2000's, the concrete business was becoming more and more sophisticated and it was moving from "mom and pop" shops to corporate America. Companies needed employees that understood the advancing technical aspects concrete, aggregate and cement, as well as the ever more complex business and regulatory side of the industry.

As Texas companies began to hire graduates from MTSU, graduates eventually started to miss Tennessee and would return home. Industry leaders in Texas realized there was a huge need for a CIM program in Texas, and Texas State University was the logical choice.

The first graduating class from Texas State's CIM program entered the industry in 2011 and those alumni have become incredibly successful leaders in the boardrooms in the great State of Texas.  To date TXST CIM has produced nearly 200 graduates for the industry, and they are in such high demand that there are quite literally more positions available than graduates each year.