Dr. Souhail Elhouar has been named chair of the Kennesaw State University Department of Construction Management, effective January 1, 2027
KENNESAW, Ga. | Nov 9, 2026
Reporting to the dean of the College of Architecture and Construction Management (CACM), Dr. Elhouar will be responsible for providing administrative oversight and academic leadership to the department of Construction Management and will hold decision-making authority at the department level for all aspects in the operation of his area.
“I am happy to welcome Dr. Elhouar to the KSU family," said CACM dean Hazem Rashed-Ali. “Dr. Elhouar’s previous administrative leadership experience and his extensive achievements as an educator, and as a researcher align strongly with the university’s vision of achieving national prominence as a public university known for education, research, and community programs that foster inquiry and advance society. I am looking forward to working with him to chart the next chapter of success for the Department of Construction Management, its faculty, staff, and students.”
Dr. Elhouar joins Kennesaw State University’s following a distinguished career at Bradley University, where he served as professor and chaired the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction for nine years. As department chair, he led strategic initiatives that exceeded fundraising goals, strengthened research, expanded resources, supported relocation to a new facility, and established a construction minor and two accelerated bachelor’s/master’s programs.
Specializing in steel building analysis, design, and construction, Dr. Elhouar has taught more than twenty civil engineering and construction courses. His contributions include CONXPRT, a steel connection design expert system marketed by the American Institute of Steel Construction, and purlin-supported roof-system brace force prediction equations that were incorporated into the American Iron and Steel Institute’s Cold-Formed Steel Design Manual. He also co-authored a mechanics of materials textbook and numerous scholarly publications.
His commitment to service includes leading community playground projects and extensive involvement with the American Council for Construction Education, including its Board of Trustees and Standards Committee. He has also served on industry education committees. His honors include Bradley’s Outstanding Faculty Award and the Bradley Francis C. Mergen Award for Public Service. He is also the recipient of a Proclamation for Outstanding Leadership as Chairman of the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction at Bradley University from former Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis.
"I am delighted to be joining Kennesaw State University.” Elhouar said. “I look forward to working with the excellent faculty in the Department of Construction Management as we build on the department's long history and work together to increase its future success. I am particularly eager to engage with students and contribute to a distinctive educational experience that fosters their professional growth and prepares them for successful careers and leadership in the construction industry."
A registered Professional Engineer, Dr. Elhouar holds master’s and doctoral degrees in structural engineering from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor’s degree in building engineering and construction from ENIT in Tunisia.
