The Pursuit of Happiness: A Journey from Banking and Finance to Construction Project Management

For Sean Ellis, fulfillment didn’t come from numbers on a spreadsheet, it came from the desire to build something tangible, something lasting. After years working in the finance and banking industry, Sean made the courageous decision to leave behind stability in pursuit of purpose. That pursuit led him to the College of Interdisciplinary and Continuing Studies (CICS) at Morgan State University.

“In pursuit of happiness, I left my full-time job and paycheck to become a full-time student. I took 15–18 credits per term and worked two flexible jobs on nights and weekends. It was the most challenging time of my life, but also the most transformative.”

At CICS, Sean found more than just academic support, he found a community that believed in him. From the very beginning, Ms. Emma Minnis played a pivotal role in his journey, guiding his onboarding, curating a specialized construction management course pathway, and ultimately writing the letter of recommendation that helped him land a Project Engineer role at Balfour Beatty.

“Ms. Minnis’s mentorship and advocacy were unmatched. The individualized attention I received from CICS helped transform my life and career trajectory.”

Despite juggling two jobs and coursework totaling up to 60 hours a week, Sean expects to graduate with a 3.15 GPA and is proud of being an active member of Morgan’s Construction Management Association of America (CMAA), a testament to his discipline, time management, and commitment to professional growth.

Sean credits key professors and immersive experiences for shaping both his academic and personal development.

• Dr. Lewis Waller not only served as a mentor but also connected him with industry alumni who accelerated his career pivot.
• Dr. Parris McGhee-Bey offered insightful career guidance that helped Sean reshape his post-finance ambitions.
• Professors Marvin Bennett and Makenna Borders bridged classroom theory with real-world construction principles.
• Professor Claton Lewis’s CICS490 course provided essential skills for navigating the corporate environment.
• And Dr. Samia Kirchner’s ARCH304 course sparked Sean’s passion for equitable urban development so much so that he is now seeking publication for his capstone paper on “The Effects of T.I.F. on Baltimore City Taxes and Redlining Legacies.”

Outside the classroom, Sean took full advantage of CICS’s career-building opportunities. A field trip to the $10 billion Purple Line light-rail project gave him hands-on exposure to large-scale construction logistics, while career fairs and networking events led to meaningful connections with top firms like Clark Construction, Whiting-Turner, and Balfour Beatty.

“These experiences connected the dots between academic theory and industry practice. They prepared me to deliver value from day one as a Construction Project Engineer.”

When asked why he chose CICS, Sean’s answer was as powerful as his journey:

“Funny enough, in March 2021, I read about a new program for adult learners at Morehouse and wrote directly to Morgan State’s President, Dr. David Wilson, asking if we’d offer something similar. His response? ‘Stay tuned.’ Months later, CICS launched. Whether it was coincidence or fate, I couldn’t pass up graduating from the very initiative I may have helped inspire.”

Now, as he prepares to walk across the stage as a proud CICS graduate, Sean reflects on the journey with gratitude, and no regrets.

“The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.”

For Sean Ellis, the pursuit of happiness meant chasing his dream, even when it demanded sacrifice. With CICS by his side, that pursuit has finally turned into purpose.

To pursue your purpose, contact us to learn more about completing your degree at mcy@morgan.edu