San Jac takes first at 2026 NAPTA Troubleshooting Skills Competition
San Jacinto College students took first place at the 2026 North American Process Technology Alliance Troubleshooting Skills Competition on May 1.
Hosted at the LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology, the competition saw teams from five states — Alaska, Illinois, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Texas — face off to earn the top spot.
Competitors were tasked with troubleshooting a variety of energy industry-related scenarios using computer-based simulation and virtual plant environment software. They were also presented with several hands-on exercises.
Students also met with industry professionals and explored CPET's 19 labs.
All registered teams participated in an open round, with top teams qualifying for the finals competition rounds.
"It feels great to win," said G.C. Shah, process technology professor and faculty sponsor. "My team and I are deeply grateful to San Jacinto College for supporting and encouraging us through this pivotal competition. We are equally grateful to NAPTA and to our generous and caring sponsors."
San Jac qualified two teams, showcasing the strength of the college’s process technology program. Team Ravens 2 — students Royce Duarte, Jaxon Mann, and Joseph Perez — spent months training and preparing under Shah’s guidance before earning the top overall performance.
Students Brady Casilio, Zachary O’Hara, and Aidan True also competed with Team Ravens 1.
Big congratulations to my students. As we all know, competition requires commitment and many hours of preparation. The team performed superbly on all counts. I am confident they will do remarkably well in industry.
San Jac has an established record with the competition, also placing first in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2023.
The standard-bearer of process technology curriculum, NAPTA maintains a comprehensive set of process technology textbooks used nationwide, audits U.S. process technology degree programs, and endorses those that meet its criteria. Several colleges have received the NAPTA endorsement, including San Jac.
Enhanced problem-solving and troubleshooting skills help with students' understanding and encourage them to be safer employees and better team players — traits that are high on the list for employers in their search for entry-level employees.
Teams from nine colleges across the country competed in the event.
Final placements included:
- San Jacinto College — first place
- Victoria College — second place
- Bismarck State College — third place
Other participating institutions included:
- College of the Mainland
- Houston City College
- Kenai Peninsula College
- Lamar Institute of Technology
- Illinois Eastern Community Colleges-Lincoln Trail College
- Northern Oklahoma College
Learn more about process technology at San Jac
About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today,
and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris
County, Texas, since 1961. The College is ranked second in the nation among more than
1,100 community colleges, as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving
the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020 and 2026. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution
that spans five campuses, plus an online college, San Jacinto College serves approximately
45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and
certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer
to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding
bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s. San Jacinto College is
accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
