Roger Williams University Construction Management Students Earn Top Placements at Regional Competition

BRISTOL, R.I.- Roger Williams University Construction Managementstudents delivered an exceptional performance at the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Region 1 competition held Nov. 13-15 in Albany, N.Y. Teams earned top placements across multiple divisions, further strengthening RWU's reputation at one of the Northeast's leading collegiate construction events.

The RWU teams earned first place in the Heavy Civil and Concrete divisions and second place in Commercial. These results highlight the depth of technical skill, teamwork and yearlong preparation within the School of Engineering, Computing and Construction Management(SECCM).

In the Heavy Civil division, students were tasked with producing an industry-level bid proposal for a roadway reconstruction and culvert replacement project. Working under a strict 12-hour deadline, the RWU team delivered an exceptionally precise proposal that distinguished them from competing schools.

"Our team put in a ton of work to prepare for the competition, and we all performed at an extremely high level," said Cameron Testa, a senior Construction Management major with a minor in Businessfrom Madison, Conn and captain of the Heavy Civil team. "After winning the competition last year, our expectation was to go back and win again. It was very rewarding to win first place for the second year in a row, especially when the judges said that we were miles ahead of the competition."

Across all divisions, ASC challenges students to simulate real-world construction management practice. Teams receive a completed project from the judging firm and must prepare a comprehensive submission - including scheduling, estimating, logistics planning and other components required for the proposal - under intense time constraints. Judges evaluate proposals using criteria rooted in actual industry standards, giving students a chance to apply classroom learning in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

Although the competition itself lasts only two days, RWU students train throughout the academic year. Teams complete mock proposals, practice timed exercises and refine both technical and communication skills as they prepare to compete at a professional level.

"This has been a yearlong preparation by the students," said Jonathan Gomes, Lecturer of Construction Management and faculty advisor for the Heavy Civil team. "It's a tradition of hard work and dedication that is passed on year to year, with younger students stepping into leadership roles as they prepare for the next competition."

Faculty advisors supporting this year's teams include Amine Ghanem, Professor of Construction Management, for Concrete; Michael Emmer, Professor of Construction Management, for Design-Build; and for the Commercial team, Shay Kurzinski, Assistant Professor of Construction Management, and Hang Ren, Visiting Assistant Professor of Construction Management. Their mentorship anchors SECCM's commitment to experiential, project-based learning and ensures students are equipped to tackle complex construction challenges.

RWU's strong showing at ASC Region 1 highlights the power of its Construction Management program, where teamwork, discipline and leadership are key. The fast-paced, decision-focused competition mirrors real construction work and builds on SECCM's project-based learning. Experiences like ASC prepare students with not only technical skills, but also the confidence and professionalism to become future industry leaders.