CMU students collaborated and competed with schools nationwide at the Associated Schools of Construction Student Competition
Colorado Mesa University’s Construction Management team participated in the 2025 Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Regions 6 and 7 Student Competition in early February. CMU walked away with experience, career opportunities and an award. At the four-day competition, nearly 1,800 students and over 800 industry professionals and university professors came together in Sparks, Nevada at the Nugget Casino Resort.
The competition focused on major skills such as construction, engineering, design and presenting. Teams collaborated to share innovative thoughts and designs for multiple awards. Three days of competition, presentation, meet-and-greets and a career fair were also part of the week’s programming.
From 5:30 in the morning to 9 at night, CMU teams and other attendees received a problem to solve and then spent all day solving it together in their own study rooms. Once the projects were turned in, students presented in front of a panel of judges the next day.
CMU created two teams for the competition. The Commercial team consisted of students Benjamin Garcia, Cameron Johnson, Nick Wagner, Jonah Bakker, Beau Kirschke and Cole Skillington. The Mixed-Use team included Francisco Aquinado, Alexsander Vasquez, Jose Rivera, Hayden Langford, Owen Conner and Yessica Martinez. A key spotlight was on Benjamin Garcia for receiving an award in the Commercial Event for Excellent Person. Winning this award demonstrates Garcia’s communication skills and talent under pressure. This helped him guide his team through the rigorous competition of the ASC.
The ASC competition revolves around real-world problems that companies have solved, are in the middle of solving, or are having trouble solving themselves. This creates relevant problem-solving experience that directly translates to the world of construction CMU students are interested in pursuing.
Participation and recognition at the ASC event are a reflection of the real-world applications that are available to CMU students in the programs they dedicate themselves to.
"This achievement not only highlights the dedication and talent of our students who participated but also enhances the reputation of our Construction Management program,” said Assistant Professor of Construction Management Austin Hanson.
This year’s participation would not have been possible without the generous support of Hensel Phelps Construction, Whiting-Turner Construction, Colorado Asphalt Paving Association, FCI Constructors, Independent Construction, Shaw Construction, B & B Electric, Adolfson & Peterson Construction and The Blythe Group.
Students from all over the United States came together to brainstorm, collaborate and compete. The ASC fostered a truly diverse group of students who were up for a challenge. CMU made a strong run at this year’s ASC and is looking for participants for future competitions.