During its celebration of the International Women’s Day on March 8, 2023, the U.S. National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) spotlighted North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s tenured Associate Professor of Construction Science and Management, Dr. Andrea Nana Ofori-Boadu.

This recognition was for her dedication to inspiring the next generation of residential construction industry leaders.

In 2020, Andrea also received the NAHB Outstanding Educator award in recognition of high teaching standards in construction education.

Born in Accra, Andrea grew up under the guidance of her high-achieving parents, Mr Sam Poku and Mrs. Mary Poku.

Andrea attended the Belmar and New Hope Preparatory Schools in Accra, the Achimota School, and obtained a First Class in Building Technology at KNUST in 1997.

Andrea moved to North Carolina in 2000 with her husband, Victor Ofori-Boadu, and their eight-month-old baby. The couple now has two sons and one daughter. Victor and Andrea have also established a consulting firm, Penuel Consult, and a Christian worship ministry, Penuel Ministry.

Under the mentorship of Drs. Pyle and Shofoluwe, Andrea completed her Master's degree in Industrial Technology and her Doctorate degree in Technology Management in the USA.

In her professorial role at the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A & T), Andrea has contributed to the intellectual and career development of hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students.

Her research work has resulted in numerous citations, publications, presentations, grants, and her U.S. patent (No. 11,104,611; August 31, 2021) titled ‘Swine-waste Biochar As A Sustainable Cement Replacement Material’.

She has received funding from numerous agencies in support of her teaching and research enterprise. In 2019, she received the prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER grant to develop theories that explain professional identity development processes in undergraduate Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) women.

Through this grant and with input from the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) - Piedmont Chapter, Andrea established the Emerging Built Environment Women Center at NC A & T (https://www.ncat.edu/research/centers/index.php).

Andrea has received several NC A & T teaching and research excellence awards to include the 2020 Junior Faculty Teaching Excellence award, the 2019 Outstanding Young Investigator Research Excellence award, and the 2017 Rookie of the Year Research Excellence award. Andrea’s mentees have also received NC A & T and national research excellence awards.

Reacting to the recognition, Dr Andrea Ofori-Boadu said, "This happy news is being shared because it is quite incredible for a humble "nobody", an African young lady from Ghana, serving as an Associate Professor in a U.S. university, to receive this national recognition. It's just amazing!"

"I am very grateful to God, my husband, my parents and siblings, my amazing cheerleader (Caroline Carpenter), NC A & T, collaborators, funding agencies, and my extended network of family and friends, for their prayers and support," she expressed.

The USA is a highly developed and competitive country with an economy that accounts for about 25% of global GDP. The U.S. construction industry accounts for about 4% of its national GDP. Its impressive buildings and infrastructure have been developed through the commitment of talented construction professionals.

NCA & T is committed to developing professionals to contribute to the advancement of the global construction industry. America boasts of its impactful science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) intellectuals manning its transformational teaching and research institutions.

Therefore, for Andrea to be recognized by the NAHB for her professorial contributions, is noteworthy. It is also worthy to celebrate this Lifetime Honour with the entire African Continent, Ghana, family and friends.

Andrea hopes that her journey inspires more girls and women to seriously consider pursuing STEM careers.