The AIAS is governed by the Bylaws and a ten-member Board of Directors that meets at least four times each school year. The Board and the activities of the organization are guided by the input provided by the Council of Presidents (COP) that meets twice each year. The COP is comprised of one delegate from each chapter in good standing. To be a chapter in good standing, the chapter must be current in payment of chapter dues, have more than ten individual members and be in compliance with the AIAS Bylaws.
Values
Impact
We advocate for and enact positive change.
Community
We foster an inclusive network of peers that learn from, support, and drive one another.
Growth
We inspire students to reach their greatest potential through meaningful learning opportunities.
Passion
We pursue large goals and aspirations through each member’s enthusiasm.
Perspective
We link the professional’s opportunities to architectural education.
Balance
We promote respectful relationships, an environment of diversity, and a thriving studio culture.
Strategic Goals
The 2021-2022 AIAS Board of Directors worked to define the strategic goals for the next few years of the organization. With these goals, the AIAS aims to stabilize as an organization after the COVID-19 pandemic, and to use this time as an opportunity to pivot into a new era for the AIAS to unite and empower students on a greater scale. Check out the goals of the 2022-2024 Strategic Plan here:
Standing Committees
The AIAS has a number of committees, advisory, and working groups that function as advisory or working groups of the Board and report regularly to the Board on the work performed.
Governance Committee
The Governance Committee is responsible for periodically evaluating governance issues of the organization and make recommendations as appropriate to the Board.
Chair: Scott Cornelius, AIAS, NOMA, Assoc. AIA | 2022-2023 AIAS Past-President
Board Liaison: Tristan Osorio, AIAS, Assoc. AIA | 2022-2023 AIAS West Quad Director
Staff Liaison: Larry H. Hoffer | Executive Director
Members:
Cooper Moore, AIAS, NOMA, Assoc. AIA | 2022-2023 AIAS President
Nathan Robey | Marywood University
Sara Taketatsu | AIAS Alumni
Rebecca Hennings | Montana State University
Ashwin Raman S K | AIAS India
James Armendariz | NewSchool of Architecture & Design
Ishika Aggarwal | Pratt Institute
Natalie Haggard | Oklahoma State University
Yahya Abu Hajleh | An Najah National University
Charges:
- Perform a thorough review of all governing documents, including but not limited to the National Bylaws, the Rules of
the Board, and Public Policies, to ensure accurate representation of the current state of the organization. - Evaluate the 2022-2024 Strategic Plan, and in collaboration with the Board and the Executive Director begin developing goals for a 2024-2027 Strategic Plan.
- Based on review of governing documents, provide suggestions to the Board on simplifying and ensuring the relevance
of the National Bylaws.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee shall be responsible to act in conjunction with the executive director in the preparation of the annual budget for review and approval by the full Board. The Finance Committee shall be entitled to request and receive periodic reports from the outside auditor. It may also periodically evaluate the organization’s financial status and make suggestions and recommendations to the national office and the Board.
Chair: Nicole Bass, AIAS, NOMA, Assoc. AIA | 2022-2023 AIAS Vice President
Board Liaison: Ethan Sandburg, AIAS | 2022-2023 AIAS Midwest Quad Director
Staff Liaison: Larry H. Hoffer | Executive Director
Members:
Shannon DeFranza, AIAS, NOMA, Assoc. AIA | 2022-2023 AIAS Past Vice President
Lauren Maloney | University of Kansas
Jade Marielle Giron | NewSchool of Architecture & Design
Saad Yaish | An Najah National University
Adan Hernandez | University of Texas Arlington
Qasem Nimer | An Najah National University
Ivan Mota-Sanchez | Ball State University
Kai Smith | Oklahoma State University
Charges:
- Work with the Executive Director to review the bi-annual audit of the organization.
- Research organizations and clubs at Community Colleges and make recommendations for the reassessment of dues for chapters at Community Colleges.
- Encourage and facilitate networking and collaboration between chapter Treasurers.
- Communicate with the Programs staff member to ensure the AIAS’s partnership and fundraising efforts are aligned with student values.
- Assist the FBDAC in developing resources or guides to raising and managing funds for FBD Directors.
- Continue to collaborate with the CoGR to assess dues structure for International chapters and members.
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee shall find means for advancement in the quality of membership by periodically evaluating the specific needs of the membership.
Chair: Nicole Bass, AIAS, NOMA, Assoc. AIA | 2022-2023 AIAS Vice President
Board Liaison: Colt Brock, AIAS | 2022-2023 AIAS South Quad Director
Staff Liaison: Elizabeth Caccavano, AIAS, Assoc. AIA | Director of Membership & Marketing
Members:
Aaron Wagnitz | Oklahoma State University
Ali Amr Ali | October 6 University
Michael Zima | Illinois Institute of Technology
Ritika Iyer | Northeastern University
Binta Balde | University of Memphis
Christina Mock | Pennsylvania State University
Kinda Hawash | An Najah National University
Esther Umoh | University of Houston
Charges:
- Host Town Halls and collect data for the purpose of exploring and assessing the value of AIAS membership.
- Develop other content and programming to explain the value of AIAS membership.
- Oversee and expand the AIAS Chapter Alumni Mentorship Program (CAMP).
- Communicate with the AIAS National Staff to ensure the AIAS’s partnership and fundraising efforts are aligned with
student values.
Personnel Committee
The Personnel Committee shall be responsible for evaluating the performance of the executive director and officers as per the outline of responsibilities defined in the executive director’s and officers’ employment contract, in the Bylaws and the Rules of the Board, and in any other performance guidelines and goals defined by the committee and previously agreed to by the executive director and officers.
Chair: Ricardo Rodriguez, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, ACI | 2020-2023 AIA Liaison
Board Liaison: Julia Andor, AIAS | 2022-2023 AIAS Northeast Quad Director
Members:
Scott Cornelius, AIAS, NOMA, Assoc. AIA | 2022-2023 AIAS Past President
Beth Lundell Garver, AIA, NCARB | 2021-2024 ACSA Liaison
Anne Smith, FAIA, NCARB, LEED BD+C | 2022-2025 NCARB Liaison
Catherine Chattergoon, NOMAS, AIAS | 2022-2023 NOMA Liaison
Charges:
- Serve as a mentorship component for the Executive Director.
- Conduct appraisals of the Officers and Executive Director bi-annually, update and improve the appraisal process.
- Review the Committee’s scope and purpose in the Bylaws and Rules of the Board and make recommendations for changes to the Board of Directors.
- Evaluate salaries for AIAS National Officers and establish an appropriate compensation framework in keeping with
economic changes
Freedom By Design Advisory Committee
The Freedom by Design Advisory Committee serves as the primary training, outreach, support, curatorial, and innovation arm of the Freedom by Design program. The committee holds five primary charges outlined in the Rules of the Board.
Chair: Michelle Tapia | University of Nevada Las Vegas
Board Liaison: Cooper Moore, AIAS, NOMA, Assoc. AIA | 2022-2023 AIAS President
Members:
Trevin Thompson | Washington State University
Zachary Brown | Savannah College of Art and Design
Nadine Hashaykeh | An Najah National University
Lauren Von Arx | University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Majd Odeh | An Najah National University
Enrique Castro | NewSchool of Architecture and Design
Ahmad Al Bissani | Lebanese American University
Sam Stayn | Milton Academy
Charges:
- Direct and/or perform training for Freedom by Design Directors at Grassroots and FORUM.
- Communicate with chapters and track all projects throughout the year.
- Support chapters throughout the year regarding waivers, liability, design mentors, construction mentors, school relations, fundraising, and Freedom by Design best practices.
- Collect and curate content documenting completed projects in conjunction with the AIAS National Office.
- In collaboration with the Finance Committee, develop resources or guides to raising and managing funds for FBD Directors.
- Maintain the official Freedom by Design national Instagram account
ETHICS COMMITTEE
The Ethics Committee shall further refine the Code of Ethics and will investigate necessary logistics for implementation.
Chair: Shillpa Kumar | University of Texas Arlingtion
Board Liaison: Cooper Moore, AIAS, NOMA, Assoc. AIA | 2021-2022 AIAS President
Members:
Trevor Werthmann | Lawrence Technological University
Michael Boongaling | University of Memphis
Nicholas Clark | Kansas State University
Elizabeth Raymond | Savannah College of Art and Design
Bryan Torres | University of Memphis
Charges:
- Reconsider and update the AIAS Code of Ethics to be of best use to the organization.
- Stand as needed in response to Ethics violations.
- Increase the visibility and public awareness of the Code of the Ethics.
COUNCIL OF GLOBAL REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE
The Council of Global Representatives is responsible for assisting the AIAS in developing resources that express student values, priorities, and school culture in different regions of the international membership. The Council is also a discussion group that represents the opinions and voice of international members studying in the US or abroad.
Chair: Ayman Bitar | An Najah National University
Board Liaison: Paulina Garza Gonzalez, AIAS | 2022-2023 AIAS Latin America Regional Director
Board Liaison: Marcelle El Achkar, AIAS | 2022-2023 AIAS Middle East Regional Director
Members:
Cooper Moore, AIAS, NOMA, Assoc. AIA | 2022-2023 AIAS President
Insherah Alhajrasi | University of Houston
Sara Manasfi | Louisiana State University
Mia Karim | Holy Spirit University of Kaslik
Melisa Gonzalez | Universidad de Monterrey
Anum Azhar | TNS Beaconhouse
Doha Yasser | Ain Shams University
Reem El-Shekshaky | October 6 University
Ana Paula Jauregui Alcala | Universidad de Monterrey
Charges:
- Advocate for and support rights and needs of international students.
- Explore and propose international relationships and partnerships.
- Review and conduct research as needed to update dues for International members.
- Continue and expand upon efforts and programming to engage International chapters and members with those in the U.S.
Special Committees
The AIAS has a number of committees, advisory, and working groups that function as advisory or working groups of the Board and report regularly to the Board on the work performed.
FUTURE PROGRAMMING TASK FORCE
Chair: Juanita Libreros Foronda | Savannah College of Art and Design
Board Liaison: Julia Andor, AIAS | 2022-2023 AIAS Northeast Quadrant Director
Members:
Cooper Moore, AIAS, NOMA, Assoc. AIA | 2022-2023 AIAS National President
Larry H. Hoffer | Executive Director
Josh Davids | Bowling Green State University
Kaitlyn Dunn | University of Kansas
Joseph Batterman | University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Bryan Garcia | University of Southern California
Christian Al Zaatini Mouawad | Holy Spirit University of Kaslik
Youssef Hassabo | American University in Cairo
Margaret Lewis | University of Kansas
Charges:
- Assess and evaluate the historical structure of the AIAS FORUM conference through Town Halls and data collection to
develop a strategy for the future of the conference. - Discuss the format and content of general AIAS programming and develop a strategy for the future of AIAS
programming. - Report frequently to the AIAS Board of Directors.
JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION TASK FORCE
Chair: Christian Waweru | Georgia Institute of Technology
Board Liaison: Colt Brock, AIAS | 2022-2023 AIAS South Quad Director
Members:
Catherine Chattergoon, NOMAS, AIA | 2022-2023 NOMA Liaison
Ryan Joshua Pierre | Florida Atlantic University
Ivan Gonzalez-Vasquez | University of Nevada Las Vegas
Laura Rivera | Florida A&M University
Kwan To Ryan Chan | Northeastern University
Irene Vu | University of Texas Arlington
Deepa Patel | Savannah College of Art and Design
Razan Hadidi | University of Memphis
Jadyn Anderson | Arizona State University
The Social Justice Task Force assists the AIAS with bringing to light and striving to eliminate issues of social justice as they relate to architectural education. The committee communicates with the membership ways to increase awareness and combat issues of injustice including, but not limited to equity, diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility in AIAS Chapters, studio/work environments, buildings, individuals, teams, communities, and/or cities.
Charges:
- Assess the AIAS at the governance, cultural and functional levels and make recommendations to the Board of Directors to ensure an equitable and diverse organization, as well as accessibility to its resources.
- Hold Town Halls and other programming to assess the needs of minority architecture students and explore strategies for the AIAS to meet these needs.
- Help maintain the official AIAS Advocacy Instagram account.
Student Health & Wellbeing Task Force
Chair: Liz Fraka | University of Kansas
Board Liaison: Ethan Sandburg, AIAS | 2022-2023 AIAS Midwest Quad Director
Staff Liaison: Larry H. Hoffer | Executive Director
Members:
Zachary Peiser | Temple University
Lilian Anderson | Northeastern University
Jenifer Torres | Savannah College of Art and Design
Brianna Tsatskin | Arizona State University
Kyle Gilboy | University of Kansas
Sama Hisham Mohamed ElSaeed | October 6 University
Kody Cheung | Drexel University
Nathan Fehrs | Roger Williams University
Rania Boles | Ain Shams University
H’ala Yaish | An Najah National University
Lauren Reihm | Georgia Institute of Technology
Charges:
- Define, advocate for, and support positive cognitive health practices for chapters, committees, and the Board.
- Communicate and partner with similar bodies in Allied Organizations to better understand mental health issues within the education and profession of architecture.
- Create mental health-focused programming for the FORUM and Grassroots conferences.
- Research, contribute to and update relevant sections of the Model Learning & Teaching Culture Policy.
- Develop and organize programming to educate members on cultural change and healthy cultural practices.
- Help maintain the official AIAS Advocacy Instagram account.
Sustainable Futures Task Force
Chair: Jordan Luther | Carnegie Mellon University
Board Liaison: Tristan Osorio, AIAS | 2022-2023 AIAS West Quad Director
Staff Liaison: Larry H. Hoffer | Executive Director
Members:
Patrick Cipriano | University of Minnesota
Tabi Summers | University of Virginia
Tomas Stankiewicz | California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo
Juan Diego Cipriano Maya Benitez | Universidad de Monterrey
Hiwot Zegeye | Southern California Institute of Architecture
Megan A. Angel | University of North Carolina Charlotte
Kaylah Smolenski | New York Institute of Technology Long Island
Christine Cho | Northeastern University
Robert Gay | University of New Mexico
Matthew Tepper | University of Virginia
Carolina Villavisencio | Savannah College of Art and Design
Hana Magdy | Ain Shams University
Julia Kasper | Carnegie Mellon University
Charges:
- Evaluate the practices of the AIAS and identify the most critical areas of focus in which the AIAS can have a positive
impact. - Steer the THRIVE webinar series in collaboration with other committees.
- Develop and conduct a survey on sustainable practices in architectural education.
- Survey the membership on the strategic focuses of the AIAS to ensure alignment with member values.
- Research existing K-12 architecture programs and discuss future AIAS K-12 engagement.
