Cal State Northridge’s young and eager Construction Management Technology (CMT) program tested its wings at a recent industry competition known for tough, take-no-prisoners problem-setting.

Its first foray into the annual Associated Schools of Construction Student Competition in Reno, Nev., did CSUN proud: a first place win for Francisco Arceo ’10 and a round of praise for the program’s Heavy Civil event team.

In tandem with the program’s accreditation in April from the American Council for Construction Education, the competition win is part of an impressive take-off that has seen CSUN’s CMT enrollment jump from five students to more than 110 within a five-year span.

Still, a decision to compete in the 1,200-student, 40-school Reno competition took chutzpah. Other schools had sent teams for 10 years or more, gathering strategies along the way. CSUN had never competed.

But assistant construction management professor Amine Ghanem, encouraged by the program’s supportive Construction Management Technology Industry Advisory Board, thought it was time for the program to flex its muscles. “The ‘who’s who’ in construction management programs are in this competition,” said Ghanem. “It’s a badge of honor even to be there.”

Faculty advisor and winner of the 2010 Associated Schools of Construction Region 7 National Teaching Award, Ghanem called for volunteers. Arceo, Tommy Criner ‘10, Michael Elliott ‘10, Sammy Jouglet ‘10, and Matthew Reeves ’10, then seniors—stepped forward with juniors Ryan Husbands and Michael Sosa.

“We knew it would be a commitment,” said Elliott, president of the Construction Management Association of America. They met for weekly practice sessions before and after lectures and even during winter break.

Arceo, the first in his family to attend college, worked full time and couldn’t get time off for the critical final practice sessions. Deeply disappointed, he hesitated to take a spot as alternate. “Mijo, don’t be discouraged,” his mother said. “Go,” said his dad. “And take your résumé.”

In Reno, Arceo was placed on a team with alternates from seven different universities, in the Project Management Challenge event. They had just 11 hours to determine a hospital’s construction cost, duration and potential problems.

Voted project director, Arceo called on his best management skills to coax the best from a team of strangers. “It was stressful, but…we wanted to win.” Next day, a panel of seasoned industry professionals awarded them the “W” over 13 other teams.

CSUN’s Heavy Civil event team had to lengthen an imaginary commuter airport runway. For 16 straight hours, the students grappled with equipment productivity rates and hauling calculations until they had imaginary asphalt and concrete coming out of their ears.

Born into a construction family, Elliott knew the value of the praise the CSUN “bid” won from top industry pros. “They said we had an excellent first year,” he said. In 2011, the team’s two juniors will be back in Reno, ready to rock the house.

Strong industry support comes to the Construction Management Technology program from its Industry Advisory Board, which provides funds, seminars and internships to support students in the program. More info at www.csun.edu/~ceam/cmt_advisory_board.html.

— Brenda Roberts

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