Meet Travis

My role at Somerset Community College: I teach the Construction Technology Program at Somerset Community College. The classes taught are Introduction to Construction, Surveying and Foundations, and Light Frame Construction I, II, III, and IV. The program emphasizes the steps of constructing a home from the ground up. Residential and Light Commercial construction is explained and hands-on activities are covered in the lab area. I also serve as the Co-chair for the Construction Technology Programs of KCTCS system-wide.

How long I’ve worked here: Since 1999.

Why I do what I do: I have always enjoyed talking and socializing with people regardless the age. I love working with my hands and seeing the end project. So, I am getting the best of both worlds, by using my knowledge to better the lives of others. When I was in high school, I was in Carpentry and the instructor helped me to get a job in the field once graduating. I worked in the field for several years, while also attending college at night to attain my degrees. I feel like the Lord has blessed me with being able to talk to about anyone, so I thought I would be good at teaching and explaining the detailed aspects of the building process. 

My teaching philosophy: I have taught at Somerset Community College for the past eleven years and have found it to be rewarding and challenging. As an Instructor, we face many challenges with our students, new curriculum, and the change of Administration. Students need to be able to do more than just sit in a classroom and listen to information and try to retain it. I feel as though the student must be engaged to think critically, and we should inspire them to go above and beyond to keep them wanting to succeed in life as well as in the subject area they are being disciplined in. Students need to realize that they are going to make a difference, positive or negative, in this world.

I like our students because: Our students are a diverse group. We have a mix between high school students, and other nontraditional students who have been out of school for a while, or been in the workforce for several years and then have decided to come back to school. With this mixture, you have a lot of good questions from both ends of the extremes. Thus, giving the program different ways to look at construction techniques in a more detailed perspective. Students who are willing to learn make the subject material easier to explain, but the instructor has to be able to communicate with each individual/group to get them to open up and asks those questions. 
   

A little more about me: I am married to my wife Crystal, and we have one son Kaiden Lee McQueen. I enjoy traveling, seeing different places of the world. When I was young we didn’t get to travel much, so I guess this is me just wanting more quality time for my family. Some places we have traveled are the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Mt. Haleakala, Maui, and Niagara Falls. When not at Somerset Community College, I build and remodel houses and many other different projects in the construction area. I have tried to express myself friendly and polite throughout my life and career. I try to treat others the way I would like to be treated. I feel this is what makes me a good instructor/communicator. In closing, I was brought up to do things right the first time, instead of wasting time and money to have to do it twice. When I leave my profession, I want to be remembered as a teacher/motivator that helped students grow, learn, and expand their opportunities in whatever field, construction or non-related, they desire to achieve in.  

Travis McQueen

Professor of Construction Technology