For Educators

The 2018 MCAA Student Competition brought together future leaders of our industry on the main stage of the convention. The four finalists presented their plans to the on-stage judges and fielded a series of demanding questions. Missed the competition or want a second view? Watch the competition video!

Enjoy these daily recaps of our MCAA18 activities! See You in Scottsdale! MCAA19 is March 3-7, 2019 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge.

Four new student chapters received their charters during MCAA18, bringing the total number of student chapters to 57. Jon Finch, Chair of MCAA’s Career Development Committee, was on hand to present the charters to the Robert Morris University Chapter of the MCAA, Indiana State University Student Chapter of the MCAA, MCAA Student Chapter at Auburn University, and CPMCA Student Chapter at the University of Southern California.

This year’s Educator of the Year award went to Brad Perkins of Iowa State University. The award, which included a check for $5,000, honored his mentoring ability, industry knowledge and involvement, as well as his active participation in MCAA’s Student Chapter program activities.

MCERF announced the recipients of four MCERF Scholarships created to honor the industry leaders they are named after. The students receiving these scholarships were selected by our Career Development Committee for their exceptional academic performance, leadership skills, interest in developing a career in the mechanical industry, work ethic and technical abilities.

Anna Rowe, a junior from the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and Sarah Drummey, a senior from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, each received a $5,000 Women in the Mechanical Industry scholarship. The scholarships, which were presented by Women in the Mechanical Industry Co-Chair Jaimi Lomas, who is also Chair of MSCA, recognize the students’ exceptional scholastic achievement and leadership skills. Women in the Mechanical Industry is a new forum to further enrich the careers of women in the industry through networking, educational, mentoring and career development opportunities beyond those already offered through membership in MCAA and MSCA.

The Career Development Committee chose the Student Chapter at Iowa State University as its Student Chapter of the Year. The chapter was selected based on how well it promotes an understanding of the mechanical industry and the career opportunities we offer. In addition to a trophy, Student Chapter representatives Brittany Gronewold, Riley McLaren, Stephanie Shah, and Paige Taylor accepted a $3,000 check.

Thank you for joining us in San Antonio for MCAA18! The best MCAA convention ever gave us the best photos ever! You can view, download and share great memories of our time together by visiting our SmugMug site. Best of all, they’re free! Ready to make new memories? See You in Scottsdale! MCAA19 is March 3-7, 2019 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge.

MCAA members can now access some of our more recent bulletins on current topics from their desktop computers on our new WebBook platform. You will be able to read new Management Methods Bulletins, take notes, print sections, and share with colleagues. And most importantly, when we have updated content, unlike a downloaded PDF, our WebBooks will be updated behind the scenes while your notes are preserved securely on your computer.

Contractors continued to build relationships with the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council and student chapter members during the annual exhibits. The Annual Manufacturer/Supplier Council Exhibit highlighted well-known products and services as well as solutions that are just emerging to take on the anticipated challenges that lie ahead. The Student Chapter Exhibit provided members with another opportunity to meet students seeking their Great Futures in our industry.

The team from Colorado State University won the final round of the Student Chapter Competition at MCAA18, taking home the first prize and $10,000 for their efforts. Their proposal for the renovation of a New York City steakhouse beat out proposals from the Fairleigh-Dickinson University, the University of Washington and the Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Our association’s leading women kicked off our Women in the Mechanical Industry forum with a networking reception. During the event, women learned how the forum will further enrich their careers through networking, educational, mentoring and career development opportunities beyond those already offered through membership in MCAA and MSCA. Women in the Mechanical Industry also sponsored a special session on two proven career advancement strategies measured to have the strongest payoff for women professionals.