Evon Calabrese, Assoc. AIA
State/Territory Associate Rep (STAR)
Nicole Becker, AIA
Young Architect Rep (YAR)
COF Component Grant
The College of Fellows has established the AIA College of Fellows Component Grant to assist AIA components in developing programs that enhance the development of emerging architects and welcome others into the profession. We were humbled to accept this grant on behalf of AIAO to create a new mentorship program called Mentor Madness. Mentor Madness is a fast paced, 4- week mentor program offering group and 1:1 mentoring opportunities.
Mentor Madness Virtual Mentoring Program
The AIA is a complex network of acronyms, boards, committees, and councils. Layer on all of the Oregon specific organizations (AFO, NOMA, CSI), getting involved with our local and national architecture community can feel overwhelming. We have a host of emerging professionals who are eager to get involved but don’t know where to start and a cohort of fellows and other experienced professionals looking to share their wisdom but lack a forum to do so. This mentoring program aims to fill this need. We hope that by getting emerging professionals plugged into the local and national architecture organizations, they will be more likely to pursue leadership positions in our local chapter as well as at the national level.
Applications are open and due March 25th! Please see the link below for instructions on how to apply, and contact evoncalabrese@ckarch.com and nicole.becker@zgf.com with questions.
Evon Calabrese, Assoc. AIA, STAR & Nicole Becker, AIA, YAR
What is the NAC? (Evon)
The National Associates Committee (NAC) is dedicated to representing and advocating for AIA’s associate members in AIA’s national, state, and local chapters; this includes members pursuing licensure as well as those on an alternate career path. Associate members make up 18% of AIA’s total membership, and many resources are available specifically for this group including grants and award opportunities.
I sit on the Advocacy workgroup as the State/Territory Associate Rep (STAR) to the NAC. This group strives to serve its membership by publicizing the Associate experience to validate the presence of the unlicensed within the architectural industry, ultimately leading it to evolve professionally.
What is the YAF? (Nicole)
The Young Architects Forum (YAF) is organized to address issues of particular importance to recently licensed architects within 10 years or less of first licensure. The YAF is the voice of recently licensed architects and a catalyst for progress within the institute. We promote leadership, mentorship, and collegiality for the future of the profession.
As Oregon’s State/Territory Young Architect Rep (YAR) to the YAF, I participate in the Communications workgroup, which elevates the voices of young architects through our former publication Connections and through upcoming exciting avenues on AIA’s blog. We act as the voice of YAF to the profession, peers, and public.