All-Star Trainers

Polly Friendshuh

 

Polly Friendshuh was recently named the new Academic Dean of Construction Sciences & Building Technology, as well as the Business program. In her new role, Friendshuh will oversee the College’s Construction, Electrical, HVAC, Civil and Surveying, and Business Management programs, with an enrollment of more than 400 students.

“I’m honored to lead Dunwoody’s Construction and Business departments,” Friendshuh said. “The College has a long legacy of helping leaders and entrepreneurs enter the construction field, and I’m looking forward to seeing the next generation of professionals be just as successful. Being part of the industry, you see the impact these careers can have on the community.”

Polly started her career at Dunwoody as an electrical construction faculty member in 2004. A master electrician, she had spent nearly 15 years working in industry as a project manager, foreman, Master and Journeyworker electrician. After her first year in the electrical program at Minneapolis Technical College, she applied to the Union and was accepted, becoming the 11th woman in an industry with 2,500 members. In fact, it wasn’t until five years into her career that she encountered another woman working on the same job site. She later went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Career & Technical Education from the University of Minnesota and then her Master of Business Administration from Concordia University.

Adapted from Dunwoody.edu/news. (Sept 2022)


Electrical credentials:  Master Electrician "A" and Journeyworker "A" Minnesota. 
Educational background:  U of Minnesota Bachelor's degree in Career & Technical Education, Masters in Business Administration MBA, Concordia
Experience information:  Working as an electrician for IBEW for 16 years, Light Rail, City of Minneapolis Traffic, U of M Construction
Experience as trainer:  15 years teaching and management experience at Dunwoody College, currently Associate Professor and Program Manager of Electrical Construction & Maintenance and Electrical Construction, Design & Management. Polly has taught in the electrical programs, construction management, and automated systems and robotics as well as taught the 2-hr unlicensed classes and 16-hr classes
Professional, Awards, Certifications:  In 2022, Polly was named the Academic Dean of Construction Sciences & Building Technology, as well as the Business Program. Dunwoody College Deans Award, Instructor of the Year, Academic innovation, building community awards. City of Bloomington Hall of Fame award. Stories in anthology books: “After the Diagnosis, Medullary Thyroid Cancer Memoirs” and “The Butterfly Sings: After the Diagnosis, Medullary Thyroid Cancer Memoirs” Custom book for basic electricity; Electrical Association Certified Trainer
Family, Hobby, Interests:  Travel to a beautiful lake, playing in the garden, creating artwork