Morgan State University’s M.O.D. Squad Wins First Place in Prestigious Walt Disney Imagineering Design Competition

A team of talented students from Morgan State University’s School of Architecture and Planning has made history by winning first place in the Annual Walt Disney Imagineering Imaginations Design Competition—one of the most prestigious design challenges for students nationwide. Competing against approximately 80 teams from across the U.S., Morgan’s M.O.D. Squad emerged victorious, showcasing their creativity, innovation, and design excellence on a national stage.

The M.O.D. Squad consisted of four outstanding students:

• Geoffrey Moore (B.S. Interior Design, Fall 2024 graduate)
• Ricard Charles (M.Arch, Spring 2024 graduate)
• Jesscarly Ramos (B.S. Architecture and Environmental Design, Fall 2024 graduate)
• Catherine Scharbach (B.S. Interior Design, graduating Spring 2025)

Guided by Assistant Professor Howard Mack, who is himself a former 2007 Disney Imagineering competition finalist, the team competed this past fall while most of the members were still enrolled as students. Their achievement reflects Morgan’s commitment to academic excellence and highlights the University’s growing presence in architecture, environmental design, and innovation.

Morgan State University had an impressive showing in this year’s Disney competition. Three teams from Morgan successfully advanced through the early rounds, becoming Quarterfinalists and Semifinalists, with two teams reaching the Top 10 finalists. Ultimately, the M.O.D. Squad claimed the top prize in this celebrated competition. 

As finalists, the team earned an all-expenses-paid trip to Disney’s headquarters in California, where they presented their project to Disney Imagineering executives—the innovative minds behind Disney’s theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, and entertainment venues worldwide.

The Challenge: Reinventing Urban Transportation with a Disney Twist

The competition tasked students with reimagining transportation in a major city, incorporating Disney’s signature storytelling, creativity, and immersive guest experiences while ensuring the system was accessible, energy-efficient, and engaging. Artificial intelligence was not allowed, challenging students to develop solutions rooted in design ingenuity and human-centered innovation.

Projects were judged on design mastery, guest experience, cultural awareness, uniqueness, and business impact, as well as the team’s ability to tell a compelling, immersive story—a hallmark of Walt Disney Imagineering.

The first-place winning M.O.D. Squad’s Oasis Rail project earned them an award and a $1,000 grant for their university. The students were also presented with exclusive job and internship opportunities with Walt Disney Imagineering.

For nearly thirty years, the Imaginations Competition has been a launching pad for aspiring designers, engineers, and storytellers. Many past winners went on to intern with or work for Walt Disney Imagineering, helping to design and build the Disney experiences that captivate audiences worldwide.

Morgan State University’s continued success in high-profile national competitions, like the Walt Disney Imagineering Imaginations Design Competition, reaffirms its commitment to excellence in architecture, design, and STEM education. By providing students with hands-on learning experiences, industry partnerships, and faculty mentorship, Morgan is cultivating the next generation of innovators who will shape the future of design, urban planning, and immersive storytelling.

Congratulations to the M.O.D. Squad for their outstanding achievement—demonstrating that Morgan Bears don’t just dream big; they design the future! 

🔗 Learn more about Morgan’s School of Architecture and Planning: https://www.morgan.edu/sap

*All Photos Courtesy of ©Disney and Photographer Mike Pucher