University of North Florida competes in Roofing Alliance 2025 Student Competition

By Heidi J. Ellsworth. 

The all-women team receives Best Presenter award. 

At the 2025 International Roofing Expo (IRE), an all-women team from the University of North Florida proudly competed in the Roofing Alliance’s 2025 Construction Management Student Competition and took home a best presenter award. The excitement surrounding this first-ever team of all women was contagious, filling the event with energy and pride. Each year the Student Competition showcases the talent, creativity and professionalism of the next generation of roofing industry leaders, and 2025 was no exception. 

Now in its eleventh year, the Roofing Alliance’s Annual Construction Management Student Competition continues to build momentum and inspire future industry professionals. Held in conjunction with the IRE, the 2025 competition took place in San Antonio, Texas, and introduced students to roofing as a dynamic and rewarding career path. It also provided valuable networking opportunities with peers, faculty and Roofing Alliance members.  

This year’s competition project, provided by Beldon Roofing Company of San Antonio, challenged teams to develop a comprehensive bid proposal for the reroofing of the Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Airport Hotel. Working closely with contractor mentors, students prepared detailed bid packages that demonstrated project management, estimating and safety skills. Finalists were invited to the IRE to present their proposals live to a panel of industry judges. They also attended the Roofing Alliance’s Welcome Reception, toured the project site and participated in NRCA’s Industry Awards Ceremony where winning teams were recognized on stage. 

The University of North Florida’s team included team captain Cheyenne Campbell along with Elma Mesic, Fallon Harris, Vanja Muzdeka and Michaela Colton. Although they did not win in 2025 as a team, they were proud to have Cheyenne Campbell receive the best presenter award. 

All members of the team are construction management majors who brought unique perspectives and motivation to the competition. For many, this was their first deep dive into the roofing industry. In an interview with the team, we found that the experience was game changing for their college careers.   

Michaela, whose mother owns a roofing company, shared how her upbringing influenced her interest in roofing, noting that attending as a student competitor provided a fresh and valuable experience compared to her previous visits to roofing expos.   

Vanja, a sophomore and the youngest member of the team, joined to gain early exposure to the construction industry. She embraced the learning curve, eager to build her experience and industry knowledge. Fallon and Cheyenne, both second-year competitors, spoke about the perseverance it took to balance classwork, late-night project sessions and managing team dynamics to succeed at the national level. 

Throughout their journey a common thread emerged — a deep sense of accomplishment and community. The students emphasized how the competition expanded their technical understanding of roofing, introduced them to real-world innovations and forged lasting friendships. Elma noted that the experience was not just about technical skills but also about building relationships that could last a lifetime. 

When asked what advice they would give to companies looking to recruit top student talent, Cheyenne stressed the importance of authentic engagement. She encouraged employers to attend career fairs, sponsor events and support competitions like the Roofing Alliance Student Competition. She explained that in-person interactions allow students to experience a company’s culture and values in a way that cannot be replicated online. 

These remarkable young women represent the evolving face of the roofing industry, one that is more diverse, inclusive and innovative than ever before. As they move closer to graduation and prepare to launch their professional careers, companies would be wise to connect with them early and support the educational programs that shape future industry leaders. The future of roofing is bright, and it is being built by students like these. 

For more information about the Student Competition and the Roofing Alliance, visit www.roofingalliance.net. 

View all the Roofing Alliance Student Competition videos here.