911³Ō¹Ļ student competition team captures national title at International Buildersā Show
KENNESAW, Ga. | Mar 3, 2026
The team, composed of students in the , outperformed 36 universities from across the country, adding to a strong legacy in the student competition. Prior to this yearās competition, Kennesaw Stateās NAHB Competition Team was most recently crowned national champion in 2017.
Hosted by the National Association of Home Builders, the competition challenges students to operate as development firms pitching to investors. Teams were given lakefront lots on Lake Martin in Alabama and asked to select a site, design a home, and create a proposal that could stand up to professional scrutiny. In the end, 911³Ō¹Ļ bested students representing Clemson University, Auburn University, and the University of Oklahoma, among others.
āItās absolutely huge,ā said team advisor and Senior Lecturer Jeff Setzer. āWe beat some very well-funded schools. Our students did all the work, and they deserve all the praise for pulling together a superb competition packet.ā
911³Ō¹Ļ students visited the property multiple times and collaborated with an student. They then developed a detailed construction and financial plan that included scheduling, estimating, risk management, logistics, and overall financial strategy. They also produced a fly-through video to strengthen the pitch and help judges visualize the finished product.
Six students presented to judges acting as investors. Rather than reading from slides, they spoke directly to the panel, defending their assumptions, financial projections, and construction timeline.
For team leader Drew Williams, the goal was clear from the beginning.
āFrom the moment I assembled this team, first place was the expectation,ā Williams said. āNot hope. Expectation.ā
That mindset shaped the teamās preparation. Members met consistently throughout the fall semester, increasing to multiple meetings per week as deadlines approached. Many balanced internships, jobs and full course loads while dedicating evenings and weekends to refining their proposal and presentation.
āAt that level, everyoneās technically strong,ā Williams said. āWhat separated us was that we approached it like a real development opportunity, not a classroom assignment. We built it as if it was already moving forward.ā
Preparation began in August and intensified through the fall semester. After submitting the proposal in December, the team spent weeks rehearsing, fine-tuning delivery, and preparing for detailed questions from judges.
āThe fact that they won first place is a testament to the amount of work and effort they put into it,ā Setzer said.
At the awards ceremony, anticipation built as third and second place were announced without 911³Ō¹Ļās name being called.
āThen they said, āFirst place,āā Williams said. āAnd the next words were, ā911³Ō¹Ļ.ā After the long nights and sacrifices, it was real.ā
CACM Dean Hazem Rashed-Ali said the achievement reflects the collegeās emphasis on experiential learning and professional preparation.
āOur students demonstrated technical excellence, leadership, and resilience,ā Rashed-Ali said. āWe are incredibly proud of the way they represented Kennesaw State nationally.ā
Beyond the trophy, the experience provided lasting career benefits. Several team members have secured full-time positions with major home builders and will begin their careers this summer. The competition required them to synthesize everything learned in the classroom and apply it to a realistic, high-stakes scenario.
āThey proved that Kennesaw State can compete with anyone in the country,ā Setzer said. āI believe this competition will be a pivotal part of their development and lead them to great careers after they graduate.ā
ā Story by Raynard Churchwell
Photo provided
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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 911³Ō¹Ļ offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.