Paula Behrens is a registered architect and a professor at Community College of Philadelphia in the Architecture, Design & Construction Department.  She coordinates the Facilities Management Program.

Paula received her Master of Architecture degree at University of Pennsylvania. Originally a New Englander, she came to love the city and stayed, working for a number of architecture firms and had her own private practice. She contributed to projects of many scales and uses – hospitals and laboratories down to kitchen renovations. She most enjoyed the mid-range projects that included historic rehabs for apartments, a post office, and planning work for the Philadelphia Zoo.

Paula worked for a major university as a senior architect in the Facilities Department, the most interesting and challenging job of her career. Again, she handled projects of many scales, from new dormitories and repurposing old buildings to office renovations and green space evaluation. Campus planning allowed for “big picture” thinking. Being a point person with outside architects working on the design of new buildings gave her another window into the design and construction process. This experience showed her the importance and excitement that involvement in FM could have. She was fascinated the range of work –planning, design, construction, operations – and with the importance of facilities to the success of an institution.

Teaching at CCP merged her theoretical interests her love of communicating about design and construction, and her managerial skills. She developed many of the new Architecture Program’s courses, served as Department Head, and spearheaded a revamp of the department’s programs to reflect industry needs and standards. When she was contacted by IFMA-Philly, a lunch with Alana Dunoff and Gary Lowe began a process that led to the first FM program in Philadelphia, and the first 2-year program in the US to be accredited by the IFMA Foundation.

The program is a two-year associate degree with two possible concentrations, Design or Construction. The FM Program builds on the other department programs, Architecture, Interior Design and Construction Management, as well as including courses from other departments such as Management and Real Estate. This gives the program a flexibility for students depending upon their interests and allows for robust cross-pollination among students in all the majors. CCP students often have work backgrounds that reinforce their “book-learning” – especially in construction. Also, they have entrepreneurial spirits – they could be called scrappy. They are ready to take on challenges and new tasks, making them perfect for the FM arena.

Graduates move out into the marketplace or transfer to complete further degrees. Temple’s FM program has many successful graduates who built on a base of the CCP FM program to receive their bachelor’s degrees. Paula is proud to have brought this opportunity to CCP students and to be mentoring them on their path into FM.

IFMA-Philly has played an important part in the founding and growth of the program. Establishing the generous scholarship dedicated to CCP FM students recognizes the value of these students to FM and is a tribute to the Chapter’s dedication to education. Paula continues to enjoy her involvement with the IFMA and in spreading the word about the mentoring, internship and hiring opportunities with CCP students.