Dr. Heather Yates, CPC, has never been one to follow a conventional path. Her journey to becoming the school head of Fire, Construction, and Emergency Management at Oklahoma State University (OSU) is marked by unexpected turns, industry experience, and a steadfast commitment to education and leadership in construction.

Learn how Dr. Yates built an outstanding career in construction education and utilized her professional designation as a Certified Professional Constructor (CPC) to support her pursuit of higher roles in academia.

Discovering Her Calling Through Construction

Dr. Yates’s entry into the construction industry started on a different path. With a passion for math and science and a restless desire to tackle new challenges, she initially pursued a career in mechanical engineering. When a summer internship in that field didn’t pan out, she pivoted to a construction internship. That hands-on experience sealed the deal.

“I don’t like doing the same thing all the time. I like to switch it up,” Dr. Yates says. “That internship showed me how dynamic construction could be.”

She returned to Oklahoma State University that fall and officially changed her major to construction. It was the beginning of a career that would eventually combine her technical background with a passion for mentoring others.

Lessons Learned on the Value of Soft Skills

Looking back on her entry into the construction industry, Dr. Yates reflects on a key lesson that would have benefited her at the time: the importance of relationships and soft skills in the field.

“Construction is all about relationships,” she says. “I wish I had been more prepared with better soft skills when I graduated with my bachelor’s degree.”

This insight has shaped her teaching style and curriculum development over the years. Today, she emphasizes not only technical knowledge in construction, but also communication, leadership, and collaboration. She recognizes that these skills are vital for anyone entering the industry.

A Career Built on Education and Leadership

Dr. Yates holds an EdD in Higher Education, an M.S. in Engineering Technology, Construction, and a B.S. in Engineering Technology, Construction Management Technology. In addition to passing our CPC Level II exam, she has over 25 years of academic experience, serves as the President of the International Associated Schools of Construction, and is the Vice Chair of the Oklahoma State University Faculty Council. 

Before becoming School Head, she served as the Program Coordinator and Professor in the Construction Engineering Technology program at OSU’s College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology. Her focus areas included estimating and preparing students to enter an industry that demands both technical knowledge and strong interpersonal skills.

In July of 2025, Dr. Yates was appointed to lead the School of Fire Protection, Construction, and Emergency Management, a division that brings together three nationally recognized programs under one umbrella:

• Fire Protection & Safety Engineering Technology (FPSET)
• Construction Engineering Technology (CET)
• Fire & Emergency Management Administration (FEMP)

As School Head, she now oversees five distinct degree programs, shaping curriculum, mentoring faculty, and ensuring that each program prepares students for high-impact careers in safety, infrastructure, and emergency response.

About the FPSET Program at OSU

The FPSET program at OSU is the oldest and most prestigious program of its kind in North America. For more than 85 years, it has equipped students with the tools to become fire protection engineers, safety professionals, risk managers, and leaders in industries such as oil and gas, manufacturing, construction, and insurance.

With coursework covering life safety systems, fire dynamics, industrial hygiene, hazardous materials, and risk assessment, the program has served as a pipeline for graduates working at organizations such as NASA, Tesla, ExxonMobil, and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Under Dr. Yates’ leadership, the FPSET program continues to strengthen its academic rigor, while emphasizing real-world application and career readiness for a growing field that directly impacts public safety.

About the CET Program at OSU

The CET program is designed to prepare future construction leaders with a broad, interdisciplinary curriculum that covers labor, materials, equipment, capital, and procedures. The program integrates specialized coursework across all phases of construction to equip graduates for roles in project management, field supervision, and technical leadership.

CET emphasizes accreditation, clear outcomes and objectives, and a close alignment with industry standards to ensure graduates are ready to meet professional demands. With Dr. Yates at the helm, students benefit from access to jobs, competition teams, scholarships, and dedicated faculty support designed to foster their growth.

About the FEMP Program at OSU

The FEMP program is one of the nation’s more established graduate programs dedicated to fire services, emergency management, disaster response, and related leadership roles. Students can pursue coursework either online or on campus in Stillwater.

The curriculum spans public policy, strategic management, disaster and human dimensions, leadership, and terrorism studies. The  FEMP degree program is recognized across the country as a high-quality pathway into fire and emergency management.

Supporting Professionalism Through AIC

Although her appointment as school head stemmed from her academic contributions and long-standing service at OSU, Dr. Yates notes that earning her CPC credential in 2019 played a role in achieving the rank of full professor. It was the culmination of two decades of involvement with our organization.

Her relationship with AIC began as an undergraduate, when she took the first AIC exam in 1998. When she returned to academia as a faculty member at Pittsburg State and Oklahoma State, she supported students in becoming certified.

Dr. Yates has even taught the AIC review/test curriculum in her classes to increase the pass rate at OSU. Since then, she’s become a strong advocate for professional registration in the construction industry.

At OSU, she has integrated AIC certification prep into her classroom curriculum, helping students prepare for and pass the Certified Associate Constructor (CAC) Level I exam. The Construction Engineering Technology program at OSU has maintained a 30+ year relationship with AIC in this capacity, and Dr. Yates continues to champion that partnership.

“I support professional registration in the construction industry,” she says. “And I’ve made sure students have the resources and preparation to pursue that path.”

Dr. Heather Yates Leading with Purpose and Vision

Dr. Heather Yates is a significant influencer in the field of construction management. Her multi-disciplinary approach covers fire protection, construction management, and emergency administration – all fields crucial to national safety, resilience, and infrastructure development.

Dr. Yates’ leadership reflects a powerful blend of academic excellence, industry insight, and student-centered mentorship. For students at Oklahoma State – especially those pursuing careers in construction, engineering, or safety – Dr. Yates is a powerful example of what it means to build a career with integrity, adaptability, and purpose.

We are pleased to share Dr. Yates’ story and celebrate her recent promotion at OSU. She represents an elite group of CPCs who have demonstrated construction excellence in the field and in the classroom.

– For other CPCs, we invite you to share your story for a future spotlight. Let us know how your pursuit of the CPC credential and accumulation of real-world experience have benefited your standing in the industry. Email us at [email protected] to participate.