RWU Earns Best Rookie Team at National Home Builders Competition

LAS VEGAS — In its first-ever appearance at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Student Competition, a team of Roger Williams University students took home Best Rookie Team of the Year, edging out competitors from some of the nation’s top construction and architecture programs.

The competition, held from Feb. 24-26 at the International Builders’ Show, challenges students to craft a detailed development proposal for a major homebuilder, simulating the high-stakes decisions of real-world production home building. RWU’s team of students from Architecture, Business, and Construction Management, guided through the university’s Cummings Institute for Real Estate, stood out among 40 competing teams, impressing a panel of industry executives with their strategic vision and financial modeling.

Their proposal was developed by a six-student team:

• Sean Barry, a sophomore majoring in International Business and Management with minors in Real Estate and Psychology
• Sam Carter, a sophomore Finance and Economics double major
• Chase Cauvin, a senior Architecture major with a minor in Construction Management
• Daniel Fontana, a senior Construction Management major with minors in Business and Real Estate
• Owen Leszczak, a senior Architecture major with a minor in Construction Management
• Brenden Wyllie, a senior Construction Management major with a minor in Business

“This achievement is even more remarkable considering the caliber of competition,” said Issa Ramaji, Director of the Cummings Institute for Real Estate at RWU. “Our team competed against top institutions such as the University of Florida, Michigan State University, Purdue University, and several other well-established programs across the country. We are already looking ahead to next year and are excited to build on this success. With the experience gained and the momentum we’ve created, we look forward to an even stronger performance in the next competition.”

The win underscores RWU’s emphasis on experiential learning and interdisciplinary collaboration, preparing students to navigate the complexities of the built environment and shape the future of residential construction.