Sharon LaHood

Instructor

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Dr. Sharon LaHood is a Professor of Practice in the Department of Engineering & Technology Management (ENGT) at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and the Student Engagment Coordinator for the College of Engineering. Her work focuses on applied engineering and technology management, with emphasis on occupational safety and health, construction management, and systems-based approaches to improving organizational performance.

Dr. LaHood serves as the Program Coordinator for the Construction Management (CM) concentration within the ENGT department, where she supports curriculum coordination, industry alignment, and experiential learning initiatives. She also coordinates the Engineering Structured Apprenticeship Program (ESAP), an applied workforce development model that integrates academic instruction with structured, supervised work experience and supports the development of industry-recognized professional credentials. The ESAP model is currently being piloted within the ENGT Construction Management concentration, providing students with hands-on industry experience while reinforcing safety, professionalism, and applied learning.

In addition to her instructional and program leadership responsibilities, Dr. LaHood serves as a faculty advisor for multiple ENGT student organizations, supporting student engagement and professional development beyond the classroom. She advises the Association of Technology Management and Applied Engineers (ATMAE) student organization, the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) student chapter, and the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) student organization. She also serves as faculty advisor for the ENGT ABC Construction Management Competition team, which competes at the national Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Construction Management Competition, emphasizing applied skills in construction planning, safety, and industry collaboration.

Dr. LaHood’s research interests include occupational safety and health, construction management, sustainability in higher education, project management, and emerging safety technologies. Her work explores the use of virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), sensor-based systems, and other applied technologies to enhance safety training, hazard recognition, and decision-making in construction and industrial environments. Through her teaching, research, and service, Dr. LaHood emphasizes learning through practice, data-informed decision making, and continuous improvement within engineering and technology-based systems