April 30, 2026 Electrical Contracting Innovation Challenge offers full project life-cycle experience for undergrads Written By: Amanda Thuss Departments: Civil & Environmental Engineering Categories: Students|Undergraduate A team of thirteen students from the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Student Chapter at University of Wisconsin-Madison is participating in the 2026 Electrical Contracting Innovation Challenge (ECIC). This year’s challenge builds on the lessons explored during the last four competitions to offer students a full project life-cycle experience. Student teams will explore the world of electrical contracting by developing a complete bid and execution plan for a medical innovation center building featuring 10 stories with a basement and roof for a total of 12 floors. Key requirements include preparing a detailed cost estimate, construction schedule, and project management approach. Teams must also identify risks, show technical understanding of the plans, and propose practical solutions. From a software and technology standpoint, the project directs students to use BIM tools and leverage AI, documenting when and how it was used. Their submission materials will be evaluated for accuracy, realism, organization, and how well the students communicate and defend their plan. The Badger student team spans all levels of progression from freshman through senior with participation from both engineering and non-engineering majors. Grace Assaad, freshman, civil engineering Jonah Bouchard, junior, civil engineering Cole Brown, junior, economics Elizabeth Carey, junior, civil engineering Xin Chen, sophomore, civil engineering Brielle Krause, senior, civil engineering Luna Macedo Cohen, senior, civil engineering Eghosa Ogbemudia, senior, biological systems engineering Kaylee Powers, junior, civil engineering Hannah Reed, junior, civil engineering Violette Simon, senior, civil engineering Madeline Stoltz, senior, civil engineering Ava Wendelburg, junior, environmental engineering The team has guidance from Professor Awad Hanna and graduate student advisors Veronica Morse and Alexa Rademacher of the Construction Engineering and Management program. Working professionals from Westphal Electric are also providing mentorship support. Students from the University of Wisconsin-Madison have participated in the ECIC since 2023, resulting in two first place finishes (2023 and 2024) and one second place finish (2025). Team strengths, motivations, and takeaways from the 2026 ECIC experience are highlights of a recent team interview ahead of their submission due date in May. What are the team’s strengths? Where do you have room for growth and development? Our biggest strength is our ability to effectively communicate with not only our team but also industry professionals. We are continuing to grow in our technical understanding of electrical construction. – Eghosa Ogbemudia Our team is very enthusiastic, communicative, and willing to take up more work when needed. We still have plenty of room to expand our knowledge and technical expertise. – Jonah Bouchard How has college coursework helped prepare the team for this competition? Each team member brings a unique academic background and set of interests, allowing us to approach challenges from multiple perspectives. Through coursework, we have also developed strong teamwork and collaboration skills, which have been essential in integrating our ideas into a cohesive project. – Hannah Reed What motivated everyone to participate? The experience with this project is like no other. It is very unique in comparison to a lot of group projects one might see. The combination of such a large team solving such a complex problem with the opportunity to succeed and present on such a large scale excites us all. Getting to learn electrical construction through industry professionals and in person site tours really shows the real-world practicality of this all. – Cole Brown What has the team learned through this experience that you might not have otherwise? I feel that NECA has helped me learn how to apply the technical knowledge we learn in school to the work world. Additionally, I am studying civil engineering, and I have learned several aspects of other majors that will help me understand how construction projects are carried out. – Jonah Bouchard What has been enjoyable or rewarding about this experience? The most rewarding part of being in the NECA student chapter is the exposure to the electrical contracting industry and the opportunity to see how our skills translate into real-world applications. – Eghosa Ogbemudia Networking with industry professionals and participating in site tours made the experience especially valuable and engaging. – Hannah Reed Featured image: The student team poses for a group photo during the 2026 Construction Club Banquet at Union South. Back row from left to right: Luna Macedo Cohen, Hannah Reed, Violette Simon, Maureen Anderson (NECA), Awad Hanna (faculty advisor), Madeline Stoltz, Grace Assaad, Ava Wendelburg, Alexa Rademacher (graduate student advisor). Back row from left to right: Veronica Morse (graduate student advisor), Ashley Leavy (NECA), Xin Chen, Jonah Bouchard, Eghosa Ogbemudia, Cole Brown, Elizabeth Carey, Kaylee Powers, Amanda Mathews (NECA), Brielle Krause.