CU Denver Construction Management Students Take Second Place at National ASC Competition

The room was quiet as the results were announced. Teams from some of the most established construction management programs in the country had gathered for the awards ceremony at the Associated Schools of Construction Regional Competition. The event is widely considered one of the most rigorous collegiate competitions in the industry — a place where future construction leaders prove they can perform under the same pressure and complexity they will face in the field.

Then, CU Denver was called. Second Place!

In a field dominated by nationally recognized programs, a team from the University of Colorado Denver had just outperformed some of the biggest names in construction education, proving they belong among the best.

For Analise Berry, a senior in the Construction Management program, the moment was transformative.

“Representing my college didn’t feel special at first—I felt like another school blending behind the shadows of big names,” she says. “But after our second-place announcement, it was shocking. I’m proud to help put CU Denver on the map!”

This result wasn’t an outlier. It was the outcome of a program intentionally built to prepare students for exactly this kind of challenge.

A Competition That Mirrors the Real Industry

The ASC competition mirrors the industry at large, presenting students with real-world construction challenges and projects.

This year’s challenge: develop a full construction management proposal for Sol Modern, a 29-story, 1.35-million-square-foot mixed-use tower planned for Phoenix.

Within a compressed timeline, CU Denver students were responsible for delivering a complete project pursuit—cost estimates, schedules, subcontractor selection, BIM coordination, procurement strategy, safety planning, and cash flow projections. Then, they presented their proposal to a panel of industry professionals in a high-stakes interview setting.

It’s the kind of pressure most students won’t face until their first job.But at CU Denver, our students graduate having already faced it.

The following day, teams presented their work to a panel of industry judges at randomly assigned times, much like a real project interview.

For CU Denver students, it was a moment where classroom learning became real-world performance.

“Honestly, I didn’t feel ready, berry admits. ” I had only 12 credits (around 4 classes) from the CM program when entering the competition, and I was beginning to take the advanced classes this spring 2026 semester,” Says Berry. “Luckily, my safety professor (shout out to Suzanne Schuett) greatly helped me prepare for my role as a Safety Manager.”

That early exposure is by design. Students are encouraged to take on real responsibility early in the program, supported by faculty who bring industry experience directly into the classroom.

“I learned how to do framing material takeoff on the fly; it was super interesting and challenging to learn about how to calculate the price of the inner workings of the wall!” Berry said.

Her teammate, Natalia Zuniga Becerra, also a senior getting her B.S. in Construction Management, saw that same connection between coursework and real-world application.

“Even without having taken every advanced class, the program had already prepared me,” she says. “Project-based courses helped me understand how all aspects of construction connect, and team assignments built the communication and confidence we needed to succeed.”

“Looking back, the projects that required real-world problem solving, collaboration, and detailed planning prepared me the most. I came into the competition without taking estimating, safety, and scheduling courses; however, courses focused on project management helped me understand how all aspects of a construction project connect,” says Zuniga Becerra. “Working on team based assignments throughout the program also built the confidence and communication skills we needed to succeed in a competition environment.”

Together, those experiences helped transform classroom learning into something larger, the ability to work through real construction challenges as a team.

Industry Mentorship That Sets Students Apart

Success at ASC starts long before competition day. CU Denver’s Mixed-Use team spent months preparing through mock competitions, proposal reviews, and presentation rehearsals. But what truly sets the experience apart is direct mentorship from industry professionals.

“In other words: practice, practice, practice,” Berry says. “That helped us gain so much confidence, especially with presenting!”

For Zuniga Becerra, mentorship from Sarah Tough of JE Dunn Construction was a defining part of the team’s preparation.

“One of the most impactful mentors during our preparation was Sarah Tough from JE Dunn. Her guidance helped us understand how to think strategically and present ourselves professionally,” says Zuniga Becerra.

“Having industry insight made a big difference because it pushed us to elevate our proposal beyond what we would normally do for a class project. That mentorship gave us confidence going into the competition.”

These aren’t surface-level connections. They are working relationships that give students direct insight into how the industry operates and what it takes to succeed in it.

A Program Built on Collaboration

Construction projects are never built alone. They rely on teams that trust each other, communicate clearly, and solve problems together.

That same collaborative mindset defines the CU Denver Construction Management program. From day one, our students learn how to collaborate, communicate, and problem-solve in diverse teams that mirror the environments they’ll encounter in their careers.

“This process truly showed me the importance of commitment and trust within a team. The most important thing is simply showing up for one another,” says Berry. “We met every week in person for several hours on Friday evenings, and that consistency built trust and accountability. Once we got to the competition, we relied on that trust to confidently complete our individual roles while supporting each other as a team.”

That collaboration goes beyond the work itself.

“Communication is key to success, as it’s needed to collaborate, learn together, and call out each other for mistakes. This even means connecting on a cultural basis through taking turns playing music and chatting about our lives.”

These are the same dynamics that define successful construction projects in real-world settings, and CU Denver students graduate already knowing how to navigate them.

Building Confidence and Careers

Competitions like ASC build more than technical skills, they build confidence.

For Berry, the experience changed how she thinks about entering the industry.

“The most important thing to show employers is that you’re like a sponge willing to absorb and learn new things,” says Berry. “You don’t have to be an expert right away.”

For Zuniga Becerra, the experience clarified her path forward.

“This experience made me even more excited to complete my degree and step into the industry. I had the opportunity to network with companies from across the country and gain insight into different career paths. It expanded my professional network and gave me clarity about the type of environment and opportunities I want to pursue after graduation.”

Just as importantly, students gain a realistic understanding of the industry itself.

“In construction you need to be ready for anything, and prepare as much as you can,” Berry said. “Our sponsors mentioned an event, in which concrete that was too watery got delivered to the 4th floor of this building and leaked out, costing thousands in damage to the windows below. That’s one example of the lack of predictability with construction, so it’s important to stay proactive.”

A Top Finish and a Clear Signal

For students considering the Construction Management program at CU Denver, both competitors say the real value lies in the opportunities the program creates beyond the classroom.

“During classes, we have supportive professors who have enthusiastic and kind personalities, willing to share any story you ask,” says Berry. “Beyond that, the competition helped connect to various companies across the US, along with gaining unforgettable skills along the way.”

Natalia sees the experience as part of a broader culture within the program — one where students are encouraged to apply what they learn in real settings.

“I would tell prospective students that this program goes far beyond lectures and textbooks. The opportunities to compete, collaborate, network with industry professionals, and apply what you learn in real-world scenarios are invaluable. If you take advantage of those opportunities, you’ll graduate not just with a degree, but with hands-on experience that truly set you apart.”

The result? Graduates who don’t need to be eased into the workforce, they’re ready to contribute immediately.

They understand how to navigate uncertainty. They know how to collaborate across disciplines. And they’ve already proven they can deliver under pressure, in front of the same industry leaders who may one day hire them.

At CU Denver, students don’t wait until after graduation to gain experience. They build it here.

Start Building Your Future

If you’re looking for a program that goes beyond the classroom and connects you with industry leaders, challenges you with real-world projects, and prepares you to stand out from day one, then the CU Denver Construction Management program is built for you.

Explore the program, connect with faculty, and see how you can turn hands-on experience into a career advantage. Learn more about the Construction Management program and start your application today.