California State University, Chico was awarded the 2025-2026 MCAA Student Chapter of the Year award for their continued achievement and overall focus on offering career opportunities in mechanical contracting to their student membership. The award was presented at the MCAA26 Awards of Excellence Breakfast on March 18th in Phoenix, AZ.
ABOUT THE WINNER
Sponsoring Affiliated Association: Northern California MCA
• Alex Hall – Executive Vice President
• Mike Stirling – Director of Member Relations
• Debbie Runkey – Office Manager
Faculty Advisor
- Marie Patterson
Career Development
The Chico State chapter is heavily involved with their local mechanical contractors. The chapter is supported by the Northern California MCA. Student chapter members participated in the following local events this past year:
- NCMCA Student Chapter Golf Tournament
- MCAA Networking Night
- MCAA Kickoff Meeting w/ Local Contractor Members
- ACCO Engineered Systems Info Session
- N.V. Heathorn Plan Reading Session
- UA Local 342 Training Facility Tour
- UA Local 228 Facility Tour
- Frank M. Booth Prefab Facility Tour
- Enloe Comprehensive Cancer Center Job Walk
- Sierra Nevada Brewery Tour
- Performance Mechanical, Inc. Pipe Fabrication Shop Tour
- Chico Aquatic Center Job Walk
- Southland Industries Info Session
- Murray Company BIM Info Session
During the Frank M. Booth Prefab Facility tour, students were able to see firsthand how mechanical systems are fabricated before being transported and installed on the jobsite. The tour gave students an in-depth understanding of how much planning, coordination, and precision go into creating systems for large-scale projects, including the Enloe Cancer Research Facility, which the chapter also toured.
Recruitment
This year, the chapter focused on inclusive and creative recruitment strategies to reach students across all areas of Construction Management and Engineering. They emphasized that student membership is free, making it easy for anyone to get involved. Using Instagram and flyers around campus, they promoted meetings and events with bold and professionally designed graphics that reflect their chapter’s energy and professionalism.
The students also created custom graphic T-shirts that became a visual symbol of their club around campus. The members would wear them during classes and events, sparking interest and conversation as human billboards. Their outreach even targeted general contracting students, highlighting that MCAA student membership provides valuable insight into mechanical systems and coordination between trades, a skillset that strengthens their future careers (plus a long-game mission to keep them on the mechanical side once they see how incredible it is through student chapter involvement)!
Student Chapter Fundraising
The Chico State chapter organized and participated in several fundraising initiatives to support student involvement, conference travel, and professional development.
The chapter secured a $500 contribution at the Chico State Club Donation Challenge and also assisted in the Northern California MCA Golf Tournament. The golf outing brings together contractors, industry partners, and students for a day of networking and friendly competition. The chapter is grateful for the opportunity to assist in hosting such a successful event and to show appreciation to the Northern California MCA contractors who continuously support and help fund Chico’s student chapter activities throughout the year.
Community Service
Likewise, the Chico chapter is dedicated to community service and giving back through hands-on volunteer work that strengthens their community.
Members partnered with Habitat for Humanity to assist with siding installation for a new home, providing safe and affordable housing for a local family.
The chapter also partnered with Little Chico Creek Elementary School for the school’s annual Fall Festival, contributing in two meaningful ways. The chapter organized a candy donation drive to ensure the school had enough treats for all participating children. Additionally, members volunteered during the festival to run booths, assist with games, and supervise activities.
To support environmental stewardship, members participated in a Bidwell Park Cleanup by collecting trash and recyclables to help preserve one of Chico’s most valued natural spaces. The chapter also joined the IOTA Canned Food Drive, donating canned goods to support their local food banks and families facing food insecurity.
Lastly, members volunteered with the Butte Environmental Center by helping with environmental education programs and built a barrier around a community garden that provides fresh produce to local shelters.
These community-focused chapter activities strengthened Chico State’s connection to their own community and encouraged other students to take an active role in creating a cleaner, more sustainable and compassionate future.
Congratulations again to California State University, Chico on their first-ever MCAA Chapter of the Year award! The chapter was awarded a $10,000 prize, provided by the John R. Gentille Foundation, at MCAA26 during the Award of Excellence Breakfast.
Previous MCAA Student Chapter of the Year Recipients
- 2025 – Pittsburg State University
- 2024 – University of Maryland, College Park
- 2023 – University of Nebraska
- 2022 – University of Maryland, College Park
- 2021 – University of Nebraska
- 2020 – University of Nebraska
- 2019 – Pittsburg State University
- 2018 – Iowa State University
- 2017 – University of Nebraska
- 2016 – University of Missouri–Columbia
- 2015 – Milwaukee School of Engineering
- 2014 – Kennesaw State University
- 2013 – Purdue University
- 2012 – Illinois State University
- 2011 – Ferris State University
- 2010 – Illinois State University
- 2009 – Ferris State University
- 2008 – Purdue University
- 2007 – University of Wisconsin–Stout
- 2006 – Purdue University
- 2005 – Purdue university
- 2004 – Purdue University
- 2003 – Ferris State University
- 2002 – University of Nebraska
Questions about MCAA student chapter programming? Contact MCAA’s Director of Career Development, Michele Hoffman (mhoffman@mcaa.org).
Be sure to check out JRGF’s website to explore the work the John R. Gentille Foundation is doing to further education and research in the mechanical industry.
