Murray was excited to see Arlington High School in Massachusetts, a Skanska project, come to fruition in 2025.| Photo Credit: Robert Benson Photography
By Lindsey Coulter听
网曝吃瓜听(SCN)听was excited to welcome听Tieg Murray听to听the听2026听Editorial Advisory Board.听As听Vice President of Market Strategy and Creative Services for Skanska USA Building,听Murray听leads strategic planning to strengthen market differentiation across core sectors, including education. Over the last 19 years at Skanska, Murray has advanced from Marketing Coordinator to senior leadership roles, driving growth strategies for higher education, K-12,听science听and technology.听听
In her time at Skanska,听Murray has seen a lot of evolution across the听education and research world听鈥� and听believes that higher听education听is听in a moment of real transformation.听
鈥淪tudents鈥� needs are shifting,听and breakthroughs in science, medicine and technology are happening faster than ever,鈥� Murray said.听鈥淏eing part of a team that helps campuses adapt to those changes has made the work deeply meaningful for me.听We鈥檙e听not just constructing buildings.听We鈥檙e听shaping environments that will support the next generation of students,听researchers听and innovators.鈥�听
SCN spoke with Murry about the evolution of science and research facilities, future听trends听and big projects on the horizon.听
SCN:听What first drew you to the education听sector, and听what鈥檚听kept you听invested听over time?听听
Murray:听I鈥檓听drawn to university projects and their ability to shape听the听student听experience and influence the future.听That interest has grown into a real passion for university science facilities听鈥斕齮heir complexity, precision听and the incredible innovation that听happens within those spaces听鈥斕齧ake them my favorite project听type that听Skanska听delivers.听Higher听ed campuses have听a听unique听energy.听They鈥檙e听places where ideas take听shape听and communities thrive. Knowing Skanska is trusted to build spaces that will directly support the next generation of researchers, educators and students is what keeps me invested and inspired in the work every day.听
SCN:听Science and research environments have evolved rapidly in recent years.听What鈥檚听been the most significant shift since you began working in this space?听听
One of the biggest shifts听is听the evolution of听science and research environments.听Labs were听traditionally built around a single听discipline听with very defined boundaries. Today听… science buildings are intentionally interdisciplinary, more technologically driven and built with flexibility at their core.听They鈥檙e听designed to support rapid change, encourage听collaboration听and adapt to research needs we听can鈥檛听even predict.听Watching听this听evolution听makes听the work more exciting听and more challenging.听It鈥檚听reinforced just how critical thoughtful planning and true industry听expertise听have become.听
SCN:听Looking ahead, how do you see education environments听鈥斕齪articularly science and STEM spaces听鈥斕齨eeding to adapt?听听
Over the next five to听10听years, science and STEM environments will need to become even more flexible and听forward-looking. Research is evolving too quickly for buildings to be tied to a single purpose, which makes adaptability essential.听We鈥檙e听seeing a strong shift toward spaces that can be reconfigured with ease, support emerging听technologies听and encourage collaboration across disciplines. Open labs, shared听equipment听and听purpose-built听collaboration areas are no longer听鈥渘ice to have鈥澨齠eatures.听They鈥檙e听becoming fundamental to how innovation and learning take place on campuses.听
At the same time, institutions are facing increasing pressure to听operate听more efficiently and more responsibly. Sustainability,听resilience,听and performance are now central considerations in planning and delivering new facilities. Universities are working hard to reduce energy use and manage听long-term听operating costs, all听while supporting听highly complex听research programs.听Skanska is helping campuses meet these demands by delivering high-performing, resilient facilities听that support听cutting-edge听research听while lowering energy consumption and lifecycle听costs.听
SCN:听What projects are you听excited to see come to fruition?听听
On the East Coast,听I鈥檓听proud of听what鈥檚听ahead听for听Simmons University with the new Living Learning Center听in Boston听and at the University of Virginia with the Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology听in听Charlottesville. These are the kinds of facilities that will open doors for students听and create听richer learning experiences,听while听giving researchers the spaces they need to push discovery forward.听听
On the West Coast,听in Seattle,听the University of Washington鈥檚 Magnuson Health Sciences T-Wing Renovation is听a great example听of听how听we鈥檙e听helping institutions breathe new life into older facilities so they can keep pace with rapidly evolving scientific needs. Seeing an aging building transformed into a place that supports modern research is听exciting and听rewarding.听
In the听K-12 world, projects like the Beaverton High School Modernization听in Oregon, Rye Ranch Elementary听in Florida,听and the new Arlington High School听in听Massachusetts,听remind me why this work matters so much. These schools will shape the daily experience of younger students,听giving them safe, inspiring,听future听ready spaces where they can learn and grow.听
Ultimately, across听all these regions and project types, what excites me most is how each facility will directly support student success, research advancement, and community impact, and how Skanska continues to be a trusted partner in shaping the future of education.听听
Watch for more insights from Murray and other Editorial Advisory Board members听throughout the year.听