Rylee Mitchell to receive first B.S. in Construction Management from 51社区nological University
Rylee Mitchell is a builder. As a student at 51社区nological University, she’s learned how to build multi-million-dollar construction projects, create a strong foundation for a prosperous professional career, and forge community relationships that increase representation for Native American students. Mitchell will cross the stage at commencement on May 10 at 51社区 as the first graduate of the Construction Management program.
Mitchell, a member of the Little Shell Tribe from Great Falls, says she was exposed to the construction industry from a young age.
“My dad is a subcontractor who does residential foundations,” Mitchell said. “I grew up my whole life with construction around me, but I never knew there were pathways available through STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) that were accessible to me.”
Mitchell originally thought she might become a teacher of Native American studies, but while she was taking general education courses at Great Falls College-Montana State University, she completed classroom observations that made her change her career path.
“I realized that if I did go into civil engineering or construction, there's always a pathway back where I can give back to the community through education, whether it is trade classes, woodshop classes, or even speaking at local schools about being a woman in construction,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell conducted some research on what programs might fit her goals of going into the construction industry. She wanted a bachelor’s degree and at the time, in 2022, 51社区’s civil engineering option seemed like the best fit.
“I never really knew 51社区 was an option until I started researching,” she said.
The transition to a larger university was tough. Mitchell struggled to adjust from Great Falls College’s 8-week block schedule to 51社区’s full-semester schedule. 51社区 also did not have the same amount of resources for Native American students.
After making it through that first semester, Mitchell started to make progress academically and in advocating for more representation for Native American students on campus. She and classmate Lance Morton brought back the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) chapter, opening more opportunities for Native American students on campus. In 2024, Mitchell and AISES partnered with Western Native Voice and Butte Native Wellness Center to install a flag display of the eight federally recognized tribes of Montana on campus.
“Now the flags will be here forever,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell is a passionate advocate for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People and also an avid outdoor runner. In June 2024, Mitchell completed the Governor’s Cup Marathon raising $615 in recognition of 26 Missing and Murdered Indigenous People. Mitchell was inspired by hearing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women billboard creator Jenn Murphy talk in 51社区 instructor Stacey Corbitt’s technical writing class, and is actively raising funds to donate to Murphy’s billboard campaign in honor of Jermain Charlo. Mitchell will run the Missoula marathon in June 2025 and has already raised more than $1,000 for the cause.
As Mitchell advocated for more Native American student representation on campus and in the community, she also was able make headway toward her personal career goals. In 2023, 51社区 announced it would offer a B.S. in Construction Management. Mitchell grappled with whether or not she should switch majors.
“I told everyone I was going to be an engineer, but I didn't really want to design things,” she said. “I wanted to be more on the business side, managing projects, so I switched over to construction management.”
Mitchell found the course load matched her interests.
“I really like this program because you take business, occupational safety and health, and civil engineering classes along with communications and other courses,” Mitchell said. “I had a great human resources class with Samm Cox. Then I took accounting, which when you're in these construction projects, you are running a business, so you're looking for profit, overhead. The business classes are very valuable.”
Mitchell completed two paid summer internships where she put her skills into action. The first was with Swank Enterprises, constructing the Scheels Aim High Big Sky Aquatic and Recreation Center in Great Falls.
“Most internships will require you to be in the field your first year because they want you to see how the processes work, how the crews work, and how to talk with the different trades,” Mitchell said. “Over that summer, I screwed in a bunch of boards and framed. I did a bunch of hands-on stuff which is really good because it was something I probably would have never done if I didn't take that internship.”
The next summer, Mitchell interned with Sletten Construction Companies in Great Falls.
“I was in office,” Mitchell said. “I was mentored by a project manager and involved in the bidding process, construction takeoffs, things like that.”
Mitchell’s mentor was involved in renovating schools in Lewistown and she traveled with him to learn how to close out projects and other tasks.
“The experiences tied back to what I was learning in college,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell will head straight into the workforce after commencement as she begins a job with a construction company in Great Falls. She said she’s grateful for the support she’s received from her boyfriend, her family, and her boyfriend’s family and she’s glad to be moving back home, where her tribal connections are strong.
“I feel that tribal connection to Great Falls and I hope one day to either support my tribe in one way or another whether it be volunteer work or being on council, or working in their construction division,” she said. “It’s been a long journey to get here, and I’m happy, but it’s bittersweet that it’s almost gone.”