Our Student Board

I’m Tara Rybar, the President of the Construction Management Student Organization. 

The CMSO Team has been working hard this winter, and I cannot wait for everyone to see all the events and support they have in store for the student members! I spend most of my time in the CAED, if I’m not there, I am an email, text or call away! During the breaks, I plan family road trips & activities with my daughter.

Hi!! My name is Melina Carna and I am your CSMO Vice President for the 2023-24. In addition to the CSMO Board, I represent IDSC as Co-President and Habitat for Humanity - Kent Chapter as Treasurer. As a Spring 2024 grad, I am majoring in Interior Design with minors in Construction Management and Marketing. 

With my many areas of involvement in extracurricular activities, my biggest goal is to bring all students and individuals in the CAED together as one. I believe that relationships are a huge part of the design and construction industry; why not begin forming these relationships now? One way in which I will promote this is as NAHB Student Competition - Small/Custom Build Competition Team Lead.

 Greetings, everyone! I'm Edison Chen, honored to step into the role of CMSO Treasurer for the upcoming academic year of 2024-2025. As a Junior, I'm thrilled to lend my support in assisting the NAHB Productions Student Competition. I am currently co-oping for Indepence Construction. Outside of school and work, I am a big fanatic for drones, VR, working out, photography, and more recently videography. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out and I will be more than happy to assist you if possible.

I’m Gina Carnovale, Secretary of the Construction Management Student Organization. I’m a current junior pursuing a degree in Construction Management. This past summer, I worked with Southland Industries on the Intel Ocotillo Semiconductor campus. I have been an active member of the CMSO and the MCAA competition team, where I’ll be returning to compete for another year. In my free time I like to do anything outdoors: fishing, hiking, kayaking, the list goes on!

Hi, my name is Grace Costin, and I am the Construction Management Student Organization(CMSO) Social Media Coordinator for 2024-25. I am a sophomore Construction Management major and this is my first year as a board member. I am also involved in the NAHB Student Competition as a Co-Leader and interning with The Ruhlin Company as a Project Engineer Intern for their Civil Division during the summer of 2024. Feel free to contact me with any questions. Additionally, if you need something posted, shared, or updated on our Website, Instagram, or LinkedIn, don’t hesitate to reach out! I look forward to this upcoming year and am happy to work with anyone who needs it! 

My name is Kelsey, and I am a senior managerial marketing major with a minor in human resource management. I am super excited to be on the CMSO board to start introducing the organization to the business school to get more students involved! I am also on the executive board for Kent's Pi Sigma Epsilon chapter and the American Marketing Association. Over the summer of 2024, I will be interning at the American Heart Association at the northeast Ohio office. 

My name is Giana Testa and I am a junior in the CM program. I am interning with The Gilbane Building Company on Kent State’s own Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship. This semester I am a general board member in the CMSO and look forward to taking a more active role in such a valuable student organization. 

I'm Matt Zelasko, one of the Volunteer Chairs of the Kent State Construction Management Student Organization. I am a Construction Management major with a minor in Business.  This past summer I interned with Gilbane and will work there after graduation. This year I have been a part of the NAHB and ABC student competitions. In my free time, I play hockey, go to the gym, and hang out with friends.

My name is Brayden Hall, and I am one of this year's volunteer chairs for the Kent State Construction Management Student Organization. I am a Construction Management major and am also pursuing a Business minor. I have interned with both Miller Bros. Construction and Norfolk Southern, which has allowed me to see some very interesting things in the industry. Both this year and last year I was also able to participate in both the ABC and NAHB student competitions. This year I have been able to participate in the ASP race to build project and have also been able to take part in a lot of Habitat for Humanity days. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me either in person or through email and I look forward to a great upcoming year.

Hi! My name is Jordan Smith and I will be serving as the Events Chair for Kent State's Construction Management Student Organization. I am a sophomore currently pursuing a degree in Construction Management with a concentration in Mechanical and Electrical Management. This upcoming summer I have an internship with Blattner Energy. Last fall I participated in the MCAA student competition and plan on continuing it throughout this year as well. In my free time I like to work out or just hang out with friends. I look forward to meeting you all and please feel free to reach out either through email or in person. 

Hi all! My name is Kayla Usko, and I will be serving as your Events Chair for the 24' school year. I am a Construction Management major, with an interest in concentrating on sustainably. This semester I am also starting my first internship with Shook Construction. Last year, I participated in the Appalachian Service Project: Race to Build competition and look forward to traveling down to Tennessee again to compete. As event chair I am excited to take on this role and help in making the events we host educational, productive, and inspiring. I look forward to collaborating with the board and the students of the organization. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends, going to basketball games, and playing board games. It's going to be a great semester! Don't hesitate to reach out to me with questions or suggestions. 

My name is Sara Kahwaji and I am the Spring Architecture Chair for the Kent State Construction Management Student Organization. I am an Architecture major with a minor in Construction Management in my third year. I participating in the NAHB Custom Home competition this year. Feel free to reach out by email or you can almost always find me in the studio. I look forward to an amazing year! 

My name is Tessa Gabriel and I am one of your General Board Chairs. I am pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Construction Management with a concentration in Electrical and Mechanical Management as well as a Bachelors of Arts in Architectural Studies. I am also pursuing minors in business, management, and historical preservation. I recently studied abroad in Florence, Italy in the Fall of 2022. I have been a part of the MCAA competition team in the past and joined the ABC team this year. I interned with Hensel Phelps in the Mid-Atlantic Region for my last 2 internships working in the field, office, and estimating department. I am also a 3 year student ambassador for the College of Architecture and Environmental Design so I know a lot about each program and can answer any questions you may have. You can find me around the building or send me an email!