BCOM Student Interns with Pepper Construction to Help Reimagine Ivy Tech Indy

As Ivy Tech Indianapolis undergoes a transformative $38 million campus reconstruction, students like Dawson Leyes are at the heart of this historic effort. A Building Construction Management (BCOM) student set to earn his associate degree this fall, Leyes is gaining hands-on experience through an internship with Pepper Construction—one of the partners spearheading the Ivy Tech Indy Reimagined Capital Project.

Leyes’ role bridges classroom learning with real-world impact. From deciphering architectural language to facilitating communication between contractors and designers, he’s discovering how collaboration shapes the spaces where students will learn and grow. A United States Army veteran and former roofing manager, Dawson brings resilience and a fresh perspective to the project. In this Q&A, he shares how Ivy Tech and Pepper Construction are preparing him for a career in construction management—and why this work matters for the entire community.

Q&A 

Q: What does your day-to-day work at Pepper Construction look like?

A: I’m the middleman between architects and contractors. If a contractor has a concern, I document it, pass it to the architects, and relay their solutions back. It’s a lot of problem-solving and learning industry jargon—sometimes it feels like decoding hieroglyphics! But shadowing meetings with our superintendent, Mike, has been invaluable. Just listening helps me understand the bigger picture of how we’re building something lasting.

Q: What made you apply to this internship?

A: Ivy Tech’s partnerships made this possible. In January, I received an email about the Pepper Construction internship directly through the College. At the time, I’d just moved to Noblesville and was job hunting, so I applied even though I didn’t know much about Pepper. After the first interview, I researched them and realized how big their projects were. It’s clear the College has strong ties to local employers, especially for hands-on fields like construction.

Q: How has Ivy Tech prepared you for this internship?

A: My BCOM classes gave me the necessary basics—like reading blueprints—but nothing beats on-the-job training. A business management class at Ivy Tech stood out, though. The professor taught through open discussions, which taught me how to think critically and communicate clearly. That’s exactly what I do now at Pepper.

Q: What inspired you to study building construction management at Ivy Tech?

A: When I got out of the army, I came back to Indiana and took a job as a general laborer. I was building things like pole barns, additions to houses, just very odd residential stuff. Then, I was able to get an opportunity in roofing management, which is where I spent the next three years. That's kind of where I got my taste of construction management. It's definitely not the same as this. At all. That's definitely more on the job, doing some hard labor along with paperwork. This is more of the paperwork side of things. Working in roofing, I knew I didn't want to do that anymore because there were too many hours. It was about 70-80 hours a week. It just wasn't for me.

Q: You mentioned being a veteran. How did your military experience shape your career path?

A: I was looking for something more sustainable. Ivy Tech gave me a reset. Using my GI Bill, I enrolled in BCOM, and this internship showed me a career where I can balance fieldwork with strategy. Plus, Pepper’s culture is the opposite of the “hard-nosed” stereotype—they’re focused on mentorship and changing the culture of construction, which I appreciate. I’ve definitely worked with the hard-nosed stereotype of construction bosses before, and I appreciate that Pepper is showing that this industry can be more welcoming to people, especially younger ones. 

Q: What excites you most about the Ivy Tech Indy Reimagined project?

A: Knowing this campus will serve students for generations. Mike, our superintendent, always says, ‘We’re not just building for today—we’re building for our grandkids.’ That mindset stuck with me. Ivy Tech opens doors for people who might not fit the traditional college mold, and this campus will be a hub for that opportunity.

Q: What would your younger self think about your role today?

A: He’d be like, ‘we’re in construction?!’ Ha ha. He’s proud. I didn’t plan this path growing up, but Ivy Tech and Pepper showed me how to turn skills into a career. Now, I plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree after graduating.

Q: Any advice for students eyeing internships?

A: Say “yes” to opportunities, even if you’re unsure. I applied to Pepper on a whim, and now I’m part of a team that is reshaping our city. Ivy Tech’s partnerships are golden—they connect you to people and projects you didn’t even know about until you’re enrolled.

Stay tuned for next month’s spotlight as we continue introducing the faces behind Ivy Indy’s most ambitious campus transformation! Visit ivytechindyreimagined.com for more information.