Faculty, Alumni & Student Profiles
Meet the Faculty, Alumni & Students of the Master of Science in Construction Management Program!
Our Faculty
Charles Chen, PhD, P.E.
Associate Professor & Program Chair, Construction Management
Dr. Charles Chen is a licensed Professional Engineer and Project Management Professional with extensive experience in construction project delivery, cost control, and facility management. His research and publications emphasize sustainable construction practices, smart facilities systems, and global project management. He actively collaborates with industry partners to advance innovation and workforce development in Hawaii‘i’s built environment.
Chen Hou Lau, MS
Adjunct Lecturer
Chen Hou Lau has 25 years of experience with projects nationwide. Mr. Lau is a CPM scheduling expert with extensive experience using P6, P3, and Microsoft Project scheduling software. He has a Bachelor's Degree from the National University of Singapore and a Master's Degree from Purdue University. Mr. Lau serves as an expert witness, with his expertise in identifying and evaluating construction claims related to scope changes, schedule delays, extended performance, acceleration, and construction manager professional practice issues. Mr. Lau has authored expert reports related to schedule delays, loss of productivity, damage analysis, and construction cost audit. Mr. Lau is also a member of the Dispute Resolution Board Foundation and is trained to chair a Dispute Resolution Board.
Mr. Lau was Senior Consultant for Hill International Claims and Dispute Resolution; Project Manager for URS Corporation's Construction Services Division; Consulting Director of Strategy, LLC, a small Miami-based construction consulting and dispute resolution firm that started a new office in southern California; and a Senior Claims Analyst for URS Corporation's Claims and Dispute Resolution Department. Mr. Lau also taught Construction Cost Accounting at Purdue University while pursuing his Master’s degree.
Currently, Mr. Lau founded and serves as President for Tricertus, LLC, a professional consulting company focusing on providing project management, project controls, and claims services to the construction industry.
Steve Litschauer, MEd
Senior Adjunct Lecturer
Steve Litschauer earned his master's degrees in Educational Psychology and American studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution. He also earned a master's degree in Legal Studies from the University of Baltimore. In addition to teaching courses at UC Berkeley Extension, he is also an adjunct professor/ lecturer at Hawaii Pacific University and the University of Hawaii-West Oahu. Steve's career spans more than 20 years in facilities management including leadership in education, hospitality, federal government, commercial, medical, historic, and residential property types. A few of the courses he has taught previously are Introduction to Facility Management, Facility Operations and Management, Environmental Health and Safety, Commercial Real Estate for Facility Managers, Information Systems for Business, and Business Law.
Yan Guo, MS
Adjunct Lecturer
A seasoned accounting and finance professional with over 20 years of experience, including 8 years in management roles within the automobile industry and 9 years in the oil and gas sector. Recognized as a self-motivated, consistent performer and effective team leader with a strong work ethic, integrity, and a commitment to excellence. Proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects while maintaining high-quality standards. Specialties include accounting, financial management, cost analysis, and financial analysis.