51��Ƶ

Each year, to celebrate commencement, Cal Poly highlights a group of “Great Grads”: a student from each of the six colleges who are completing an outstanding academic journey and moving on to the next phase of their lives. Misael Gonzalez Ramirez is our Great Grad from the College of Architecture and Environmental Design.

Misael Gonzalez Ramirez takes pride in his work, and as a builder the results are already there for everyone to see. 

There’s no missing the 22-story Isle House, Treasure Island's new waterfront residential high-rise near San Francisco’s Bay Bridge, and closer to his home, 420 Mendocino in downtown Santa Rosa, an eight-story apartment complex. He was a summer intern in 2022 and ’23, with Webcor, working on the former, and in 2024 he worked with New York-based Related Construction, on the latter. 

“I find construction management to be the most exciting, dynamic and rewarding industry,” he said. “Your hard work in construction leads to the most tangible results in a literal building. Nothing beats pointing at a project that I’ve worked on and will work on as I drive by it to show it off.” 

He’ll soon have the chance to expand that portfolio and continue to make an impact on 51��Ƶ and beyond as he begins work as a project engineer for Bay Area-based Plant Construction. 

From an early age, Gonzalez loved putting things together and working with his hands. A resident of  Rohnert Park in Northern 51��Ƶ, he grew up in nearby Tomales, which is surrounded by agricultural lands mainly used to raise livestock. 

“I ran a landscaping business from the end of middle school through high school that really taught me problem solving as well as the business side of the industry,” the 22-year-old said. “And a lot of people told me, ‘It seems like construction management is right up your alley. It really matches with your ambitions.’ So I decided to really jump in.” 

His interest in hands-on learning made Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing ethos a perfect fit. 

“I wanted a program to really emphasize that real-world application rather than just theory,” Gonzalez said. “I was really drawn to Cal Poly for its construction management, engineering and architecture programs, because they’re very strong and have a lot of collaboration between the disciplines.” 

As the first in his family to attend a university, he faced challenges common to many first-generation students. 

“I had a lot of self-doubt being first-generation, as college was a completely new world to me,” Gonzalez said. “However, early on I made a commitment to get involved early, really push myself to break out of my shell. This helped me make so many connections within the school and outside of the school. And over the past four years, I’ve grown to be much more confident, learned to embrace challenges and really make the most of every opportunity.” 

To better prepare for his career he pursued a minor in architectural engineer to learn analytical, design and construction issues relevant to structural design. 

He also become involved in extracurricular student opportunities as well as clubs and groups associated with his studies including Construction Management's CASA, or Community and Student Achievement, a program supporting Latino students, particularly first-generation attendees. 

“We hold all kinds of events to really bolster that community of students pursuing construction management,” he said. “We also provide mentorship for students by connecting with the upperclassmen or connecting with industry. We frequently hold events to bring in different companies to talk about the kind of things we need to know going into the industry. Members really get that kind of full experience and really set a roadmap that many first-generation students don’t have.  

“Last year, I had the opportunity to lead the club as president. It was incredibly rewarding, as I got to provide that same support for others that benefited me.” 

Gonzalez found success through student competitions, including the annual Mechanical Contractors Association of America, or MCAA, student chapter event that tasks teams with planning a massive construction project as if they were the prime mechanical and plumbing contractor. The marathon competition begins in September and concludes six months later. 

He said the initial proposal for the 2024 contest, involving the Kansas City Zoo Aquarium, swelled to 50 pages encompassing all project aspects outlined in bid documents. Judges in January announce the top four teams, who are invited to make presentations at MCAA’s annual conference in March. 

“It’s so meticulous, and it’s so much work, but it’s very rewarding,” he said. “Once we turn it in November, we wait a little bit, really anxious to see how our proposal did. In January we learn if we advanced, and then we scramble to put together our presentation.”  

Gonzalez said he was proud to be on teams that advanced to the finals the past three years — including the top prize in 2024. Cal Poly had last advanced to the final four in 2006 and won in 2007. 

In February Gonzalez was among 27 Cal Poly students recognized for awards, accolades and other accomplishments by state lawmakers on the floors of the Assembly and Senate in Sacramento. A few days later, he was part of a six-member commercial construction team that won its event at the annual Region 6 and 7 Associated Schools of Construction Competition in Nevada. In this competition, teams have just 14-16 hours to solve a real-world industry problem and submit their proposal. 

“Through my four years of really pushing myself to compete — to get involved — allowed me to really develop public speaking skills and people skills and become a more well-rounded person,” he said. “I will be a student for life. That is what I love about the Learn by Doing philosophy: That is how we learn in real life, and that’s how we’ll continue to learn.” 

Coming from a single-parent family, he takes pride in his accomplishments at Cal Poly and as a role model for his younger sister, in college at Dominican University of 51��Ƶ, and his brother, who will be a junior year in high school this fall. 

“I think my biggest accomplishment at Cal Poly was the example I set for my siblings,” he said. “I’m proud to demonstrate what’s possible through hard work and dedication. And I get really excited to hear the things they accomplish as I kind of see myself in them.”