Blog

The Fort Worth PMI Chapter (FWPMI) volunteers finished the year strong, bringing the critical skills of project management to students across North Texas. Our dedicated members are not just managing projects in their careers; they are actively investing in the next generation of leaders and problem-solvers. This article highlights three major outreach initiatives where our volunteers made a tangible impact: the Future City Competition volunteer call, a project management workshop at Lone Star Elementary, and our collaboration with the UNT student chapter.

Call for Volunteers: Future City Competition 2026

FWPMI invites you to volunteer for the exhilarating North Texas Future City Competition in January 2026!

The Future City Competition inspires young students by challenging them to solve real-world problems associated with building a livable city of the future. Through a series of fun, hands-on applications, student teams apply the principles of every branch of engineering to address their future cities’ issues. This year’s critical challenge asks students to design a city that eliminates food waste from farm to table and ensures citizens are healthy and safe.

Your assistance is crucial! Volunteers are needed to assist as judges or help with other event activities such as check-in, awards, room coordination, or other logistical needs.

Key Dates & Location: 

In-person: Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Tarrant County College – Trinity River Campus West

Virtually: Opportunities available during the month of January 2026

Ready to inspire? Please register to volunteer using the PMI Volunteer Engagement Platform: https://volunteer.pmi.org and search for Opportunity ID 63921.

 

Empowering Young Leaders: FWPMI Workshop at Lone Star Elementary

Fort Worth PMI volunteers partnered with Lone Star Elementary School in Keller on November 7th to provide specialized project management training for campus 4th-grade leaders. Lone Star is distinguished as one of only 14 schools in Texas with the Special Olympics Unified Champion Banner School (UCS) designation—and the only elementary school to hold that honor. The UCS program promotes social inclusion by fostering school climates where all students feel welcome, respected, and challenged.

The workshop challenged student teams to create a project plan for nine FIFA World Cup 2026 games being played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Student teams planned and built a mock stadium scenario, focusing on critical project areas: security, transportation, lodging, and food. Collaboration among the teams was strongly encouraged to create an integrated final plan.

Students created a project plan, designed components, built their prototype, and then presented their integrated plan to an audience of parents, teachers, and administrators, including the principal, superintendent, school board president, and several school board members. Students learned valuable leadership and project management skills that will shape their futures.

Testimonials from the Event:

Brynlee Favier – UCS Leader: "The PMI project was a collaboration of all the UCS leaders. Project managers came in to help us learn how to work on a large project together and do it on time... It was a lot of fun, and I think we all learned skills we can use as we get older!"

Kelly McCormack – 4th Grade Teacher and UCS Advisor: "Each year, partnering with PMI has become one of my favorite collaborative projects for my UCS leaders. Giving a 10-year-old real management skills... builds habits that stay with them for life. Their creativity, collaboration, and patience with one another truly shined throughout the process!"

Chelsea Kelly – Keller ISD Board Trustee: "Lone Star Elementary’s work with the Project Management Institute Fort Worth Chapter gave students a unique real-world experience connected to FIFA’s arrival in Arlington. Their collaboration across food, security, lodging, and transportation teams strengthened key skills..."

If you would like to get involved with this or other Fort Worth PMI academic outreach activities, please contact Ben Gonzalez, VP of Outreach, at VPOutreach@fwpmi.org.

 

Industry Connect: UNT Project Management Student Organization Panel

The Project Management Student Organization (PMSO) at the University of North Texas (UNT) hosted a dynamic Industry Panel on October 30th. This event featured professionals from diverse arenas, including aerospace, education, nonprofit, information technology, retail, supply chain, and fulfillment.

The panel answered student questions, demonstrating how project management reaches across multiple industries and career paths.

Panelists (Photo: Left to Right):

Hyon-Chin Keoughan - YPO - Senior Project Manager - Nonprofit Organization/IT

Heather Leonard - Callaway Golf - Sporting goods, Retail, Supply chain, Fulfillment, and Manufacturing

Alfred Rijkers - Greenpoint Technologies, Inc. - Senior Program Manager - Aerospace

Dr. Jeremy Kovach – Asst. Professor, UNT Department of Supply Chain Management

The engaging session was moderated by Nikki Duncan (Chief of Staff and Business Consultant) and Terrod Shelton (PMSO Vice President). The event was well-attended by PMSO student officers, UNT students, and members of PMI.

Do get involved with this or other university student clubs, please contact Ben Gonzalez, VP of Outreach, at VPOutreach@fwpmi.org.