A team of NDSCS students from the Architectural Modeling and Design Technology and Construction Management Technology programs secured 3rd place in the associate degree category of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Student Competition. The event took place during the 2025 NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) in Las Vegas, NV and featured teams from 11 comparable college programs across the U.S. In total, 76 teams representing universities, technical colleges, community colleges, high schools, and career technical schools participated in the annual competition. 

For more than 30 years, the NAHB has hosted this student competition during the International Builders’ Show (IBS), providing students the opportunity to apply the skills learned in the classroom to a real construction project. Teams develop and submit a comprehensive construction management proposal, which is judged by executives of the construction company who build the actual project the previous year. 

Student teams began project preparations, including written proposals to address real-life scenarios, during the fall semester. Each team was given a design problem and building criteria, requiring them to produce drawings, sketches, material estimates, labor calculations, and a complete construction schedule. Teams then traveled to the IBS, where they presented their solutions to a panel of industry experts on February 24-25, 2025. 

“NDSCS has competed nationally at the International Builders Show for 15 years and we always have awesome lessons to show for the hard work that is put forth. Students worked so well together and really took the task of developing their project seriously – thinking outside the box and networking was their focus and they finalized a project they should really be proud of!” said Lara Lekang, NDSCS Architectural Modeling & Design Associate Professor. “I’m so proud of what they accomplished and received with their 3rd place award.” 

Reflecting on their time in Las Vegas, Lekang continued, “Beyond the competition, we all had a great time in Las Vegas – touring “The New American Home 2025”, seeing the newest technology, and of course the sights of the city. The construction industry supports these students’ hard work, and I hope they carry these lessons into their future careers!” 

Learn more about the Construction and Design programs available at NDSCS by visiting NDSCS.edu/Academics.

Aiden Hoff, a 1st-year Construction Management Technology student at NDSCS is preparing to leave the state for an exclusive internship opportunity this summer — with Syncom Space Services (contractor for NASA)!

Aiden is a Fargo, ND native, graduating from high school in May, 2023. He has been involved with construction and construction management for 5+ years, where his hands-on experience and networking efforts in the Fargo region have not only honed his skills but have also affirmed his passion for leading in the construction industry.

Aiden chose to attend NDSCS because he liked the idea of a two-year college where he could learn things that were focused on helping him in his future career. He was happy that NDSCS in Wahpeton isn't too far from his family's home in Fargo, but is far enough that he can gain independence. After checking out some other colleges, Aiden felt that NDSCS had the best program for Construction Management, and was excited about the full college experience available to him at a smaller institution.

Aiden came to NDSCS in the Fall of 2023, and so far has had an exceptional experience as a student on the Wahpeton campus. During this academic year, Aiden has been involved on campus, participating in free student events and being part of leadership organizations like Student Senate and Construction and Design Technology (CDT) Club. Aiden also competed in the International Builders’ Show in Last Vegas this Spring, where he presented a project with his team at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Student Competition, and placed 5th in the nation. Read more here.

As the academic year comes to a close on May 10th, Aiden's sights are set on a new adventure. Come May 20th, he will embark on his journey to the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Summer internships are required in the Construction Management program at NDSCS, and Aiden’s experience is sure to be unique. This prestigious summer internship is a testament to NDSCS's quality education and Aiden's exceptional skills.

At Stennis, a hub for NASA's most critical projects, Aiden’s role will extend beyond the average intern’s, taking charge as a Construction Manager on a Naval base, overseeing subcontractors on projects essential to both the Navy and NASA.

The competition for this internship was intense. Aiden stood out among applicants with four-year degrees and even higher education, including international applicants. It was his strong work ethic, drive for knowledge, and evident leadership skills that set him apart.

This opportunity is proof that a two-year degree can open as many doors as a four-year degree – and with less financial burden. Aiden credits the Construction faculty at NDSCS for giving him the education and confidence to pursue this opportunity, noting that the small class sizes and personalized attention at NDSCS have prepared him well.

When his internship ends in August of this year, Aiden will return to NDSCS for his 2nd year as a Construction Management student. He is on course to graduate in May, 2025. After graduation, Aiden is open to what his next career move will be. He has always dreamed of owning his own Construction Management business, but is open to more opportunities and wants to see where this S3 (NASA) internship will lead.

Aiden Hoff is not just a student; he is a leader in the making. With his commitment to excellence, his value of education, and his motivation for achievement, it’s clear that he will be extremely successful — wherever life takes him after NDSCS.

Brayden Schmeichel, a Construction Management Technology student at North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS), has been named a 2024 New Century Workforce Scholar and will receive a $1,500 scholarship.

This scholarship program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society, and supports students at associate degree-granting institutions on a national scale. Students nominated for the Workforce Pathway should be planning to enter the workforce after completing a certificate or associate degree.

New Century Workforce Pathway Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities, and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. Over 2,200 applications were received from students in more than 1,300 college campuses across the country. Only one New Century Workforce Scholar was selected from each state.

Brayden’s selection was based on the score he earned in the All-USA Academic Team Competition, where he was the top-scoring student from North Dakota. Brayden has also served as the Vice President of Service for the NDSCS PTK chapter and helps organize their service learning projects. As a Construction Management Technology student, Brayden recently represented NDSCS at the International Builders Show ® (IBS) in Las Vegas, NV with his classmates.

“Brayden is very deserving of this recognition” said Erin Johnson, the NDSCS Phi Theta Kappa advisor, “I have watched Brayden embrace new leadership roles within our academic honor society and in other campus activities. He is a great representative of our NDSCS student body and demonstrates how students becoming active on campus builds skills and opportunities for their future.”

NDSCS has a long-standing tradition of New Century Scholars, and is proud to count Brayden among the list of high-achieving students that come out of our institution.

Brayden and the other New Century Scholars from around the United States will be recognized in the fall.