NAHB Student Chapter at Alabama A&M University Off to Fast Start

Faith Coggins never imagined that just two years after her professors at Alabama A&M University (AAMU) recommended she help create the school’s first-ever NAHB student chapter, she’d see her classmates compete on the biggest stage.

AAMU made its debut at the International Builder’s Show’s Student Competition in Orlando in last month, competing in the Custom/Small Home Build category. The chapter’s quick formation, ties to its local HBA, and strong student leadership tell an inspiring tale of what NAHB members can do to support the future of the residential construction industry.

NAHB Leadership Cohort Students Paved the Path to Compete

NAHB created the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Student Leadership program in 2023 to create a more robust, equitable, diverse and inclusive community that provides learning and networking opportunities for HBCU students.

Coggins, a construction management student, was a member of the first cohort of students. She says the program helped her develop the leadership skills needed to get AAMU’s student chapter off the ground.

"I almost cried when I found out AAMU ended up competing [in the Student Competition] this year," said Coggins. "It was a full-circle moment. I knew how hard it was to start [the chapter] and convincing people to come."

Eric Lytle, current president of AAMU’s student chapter, was a participant in the program’s second cohort and is credited for forging a crucial bond between the AAMU student chapter and the Huntsville Madison County Builders Association (HMCBA).

"I was grateful Eric was the person who followed through and took it to the finish line," said Coggins. "I felt like a proud mom."

AAMU’s HBA Connection is Just Beginning

Lytle was inspired to organize his classmates to compete at IBS after attending the show in Las Vegas the year prior. He watched other school’s proposals and presentations to formulate ideas of his own.

His team met three times per week starting in September, emulating the success of other presenters he’d admired. AAMU’s proposal was a 4,000+ square-foot lakefront property with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, sitting on 1.29 acres.

Navid Foroughi, president of HMCBA, is excited for where the HBA’s partnership with the student chapter can go. In year one, the HBA helped raise funds, offered advice, invited students to events, and helped them network with builders and tradespeople in the area.

Lytle is confident that AAMU can build on their competition especially as it gains even more support from HMCBA and as the groups better understand how they can help one another.

Foroughi has ideas. "We want to create a stronger pipeline for internships for these students at their career fair," he noted, "so they see there aren’t just commercial builder [opportunities]."

A Look into the Future

Where does Lytle see AAMU’s competition team in five years? "Hopefully by then, they win the competition," he said. "I want to see the organization grow and compete with help from students in many majors."

Maybe he and Coggins will be able to lend a hand in next year’s preparations. Lytle will begin his career with a commercial builder in St. Louis after graduation in May. Coggins currently works as a field engineer with Hensel Phelps.

"I would not be where I am without Alabama A&M and NAHB being considerate of the HBCU construction management programs," said Coggins. "We hadn’t had an opportunity like this come to our program until NAHB knocked on our doors.

"I’m very grateful for the NAHB HBCU cohort program considering our school. It changed my life for the better."