On May 2, 2026, School of Engineering and Computing (SEC) Students delivered an impressive showing at the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) 2026 Chapter 007 Senior Design Competition, earning one first-place and two teams tying for the second-place awards against strong regional competition. The top three teams received certificates and cash prizes for their senior design project.
The competition, held at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) featured senior design projects that with a strong emphasis on manufacturing engineering fields. The Fairfield engineering behind the Warehouse Cleanout Project secured first place for their practical, high-impact solution to improving efficiency and organization in industrial spaces. Senior design projects in SEC offer students the opportunity to put their classroom skills into action through partnership with industry leaders. The projects are focused and impactful in the student’s respective area of study, in this case, mechanical engineering.
“This opportunity provided a valuable platform for students to present their work to a technical audience beyond the Fairfield community, receive meaningful feedback, and engage with peers from other universities,” Zahra Zhahbazi, PhD, associate dean and professor in the School of Engineering and Computing said.
Award-Winning SME Teams and Mentors
First place team:
- Warehouse Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Improvement, Sponsored by Arco Design/Build
Students: Peter Racanello ’26, Charlotte Savigny ’26, Aiden Samperi ’26, Michael Del Monaco ’26
Industry and Faculty Mentors: Senior Design/Building Manager at Arco, Kevin Bodell, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Sriharsha Sundarram, PhD, & Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Naser Haghbin, PhD.
Second place teams:
- Project International Organization for Standardization (ISO) – Build & Test a Small (Tabletop) Clean Room sponsored by ASML
Students: Sarah Liu ’26, Aldino Guadagnino ’26, Isabella Fuierer ’26
Industry and Faculty Mentors: Chief of Staff and Senior Project Cluster Manager, Andy Judge, PhD
- Supercritical High Speed Drive Shaft Balancing Rig Refinement sponsored by Sikorsky
Students: Ryan Bordsen’26, James Bossone ’26, Maximilian Lindeis ’26
Industry and Faculty Mentors: Technical Fellow at Sikorsky, William Welsh, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Sriharsha Sundarram, PhD, & Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Naser Haghbin, PhD.
Together, these projects highlight the technical skills and real-world focus that define Fairfield’s engineering students—turning complex challenges into award-winning solutions.
