MEng
Instructor; Director of CEM Student Affairs
Hoehn Room 310
(205) 975-5848
Department: Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
Education:
- B.S., Samford University, Business Administration/Finance
- MEng, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Construction Engineering
Dianne K. Gilmer is an instructor in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering. She is the co-founder and assistant director of the concentration in Construction Engineering Management (CEM). Gilmer is a Birmingham native and received her B.S. in Business Administration/Finance from Samford University in 1989. After graduation, she took a position with CB/Richard Ellis in Atlanta. She worked for the company as an administrative supervisor in the Commercial Real Estate Appraisal office. She went on to take the position of Regional Administrative Manager – Brokerage Services in the Washington D.C. region. In her roles, she had extensive interaction with employees and clients. She was an integral part of a relocation committee that organized and conducted space planning for the consolidation of two commercial real estate offices. She implemented corporate administrative policies and budget reduction techniques in the Atlanta, San Francisco, and Baltimore offices. Preparing annual budgets and monitoring for compliance were also part of her responsibilities.
Gilmer returned to Birmingham in 1996 to raise her children. During this time, she was extremely active in the local community, schools, and her church. Once her children were both in school, she returned to industry. Technology had dramatically changed the world while she was home raising her children and she realized she must retool and re-educate. A local HVAC/Plumbing design mechanical engineering firm looking to hire a specification coordinator was willing to educate and train her. Not only did she coordinate specifications for the firm, she developed and launched the company’s first ever website. She helped the company establish a successful web presence and place them in a more marketable position to maintain strong client relations. She assisted with proposal development and maintained the database of architectural drawings. She worked with company leaders to create a more rewarding and positive work environment for all employees.
In 2007, Gilmer was hired to assist Bill Hitchcock, Ph.D., in developing and launching the CEM concentration at UAB. She understood that individuals must constantly be learning. In 2009, she received her Master of Engineering degree with a concentration in Construction Engineering Management from UAB.
Gilmer is the primary instructor for the Advanced Project Management and Strategic Leadership/Management courses. Being a program co-founder, alumni, and faculty member is an honor for Gilmer, and she is passionate about UAB and the CEM graduate program. Hoping to inspire and motivate students to critically think and problem solve is extremely important to her. One of her favorite expressions is “our students are online, but never alone.” She understands the importance of meeting students where they are and keeping them engaged in an online environment. She works closely with all course instructors in course delivery, management, and communication. She serves as the academic advisor and is an advocate for all CEM students. In addition to instruction, she is involved heavily in student recruiting and retention. The success of CEM students is paramount to her!