September 9, 2020

Please join us in welcoming the 2020-2021 AIAS Committees and Task Forces! Each year, we rely on the committees and task forces to keep the AIAS energetic and innovative. This year we can look forward to strategic explorations of new membership initiatives and resources, as well as value-driven deliverables for the Council of Presidents at both FORUM and Grassroots. Through local and global member collaboration, we will continue to propel a field of architecture of which we can be proud, while simultaneously advocating for the issues we find most pertinent.

We’re so excited for this diverse and hardworking group of students to lead us through another productive, successful and exciting year!

The 2020-2021 Committee rosters and general charges can be found below. Take a look at the 2020-2021 AIAS Committee and Task Force Informational Packet for a more in-depth look at the Committee and Task Force charges, relevance, and deliverables.

 

Governance Committee

Chair: Sarah Curry, AIAS, Assoc. AIA, NOMA | 2020-2021 AIAS Past-President

Board Liaison: Scott Cornelius, AIAS | 2020-2021 AIAS South Quad Director

Members:

Erin Conti, AIAS, Assoc. AIA | 2020-2021 AIAS President

Abigail Price-Nakagawa | University of Kansas

Amber Kustaborder | Kent State University

Carl Dilcher | Georgia Institute of Technology

Delaney Cole | Oklahoma State University

Jessie Cart | Savannah College of Art and Design

Joseph Nehme-Tannous | Holy Spirit University Kaslik

Samantha Grey | Virginia Tech

Charges:

  1. Perform a thorough review of all governing documents, including but not limited to the National Bylaws, the Rules of the Board, Public Policies, and Code of Ethics to ensure accurate representation of the current state of the organization.
  2. Create a best practices guide for chapter elections for in-person, virtual, and hybrid scenarios; consider chapters of all types and sizes.
  3. Refine and implement the Membership Awareness Campaign started by the ‘19-’20 committee to ensure transparency and understanding of the bylaws to all members.

 

Finance Committee

Chair: Sara Taketatsu, AIAS, Assoc. AIA | 2020 2021 AIAS Vice President

Board Liaison: Shannon DeFranza, AIAS | 2020-2021 AIAS Northeast  Quad Director

Members:

Adam Gregory Fogel, AIAS, Assoc. AIA, NOMA | 2020-2021 Past Vice President

Karma Israelsen | AIAS Executive Director

Carel Herro | Holy Spirit University of Kaslik

Edith Alvarez | University of Nevada Las Vegas

Enya Xu | Northeastern University

Ethan Sandburg | University of Kansas

Gabriella Spatz | Bowling Green State University

Hunter Thurlo | University of North Carolina Charlotte

Charges:

  1. Work with the Executive Director to perform a financial review of the organization and support the yearly budget process.
  2. Work in collaboration with the Membership Committee and Council of Global Representatives to explore International Membership fees and membership benefits for all members to ensure that the value of AIAS membership aligns with the fee in each respective region.
  3. Educate chapters and members about best financial practices in an organization for both in person and virtual circumstances.
  4. Quantify cost implications for proposed resolutions.

 

Membership Committee

Chair: Sara Taketatsu, AIAS, Assoc. AIA | 2020 2021 AIAS Vice President

Board Liaison: Cooper Moore, AIAS | 2020-2021 AIAS Midwest Quad Director

Members:

James Armendariz | Ventura College 

Joseph Scheuermann | Wentworth Institute of Technology

Liz Fraka | University of Kansas

Maree Rasmussen | Kent State University

Mia Karim | Holy Spirit University of Kaslik

Michael Zima | Illinois Institute of Technology

Nyx Valerdy | University of Houston

Ryan Joshua Pierre | Florida Atlantic University

Charges:

  1. Work in collaboration with the Finance Committee and Council of Global Representatives to explore International Membership fees and membership benefits for all members to ensure that the value of AIAS membership aligns with the fee in each respective region.
  2. Oversee the AIAS Alumni Mentorship Program.
  3. Create a Mentorship Program Guidebook; specifically exploring different levels of mentorship, including but not limited to in-school, out of school, and multi-chapter programs and then organizing relevant information including but not limited to structural templates, model events, and pairing guidelines.

 

Personnel Committee

Chair: Ikhlas Sabouni, D. Arch, DPACSA | ACSA Liaison 

Board Liaison: Alex Geisen | 2020-2021 AIAS West Quadrant Director

Member:

Sarah Curry AIAS, Assoc. AIA, NOMA | 2020-2021 AIAS Past-President

Ricardo Rodriguez, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, ACI | AIA Liaison

Kristine Harding, FAIA, NCARB | NCARB Liaison

Charges:

  1. Serve as a mentorship component for the Executive Director.
  2. Update and improve the Appraisal Process for the Officers and Executive Director.
  3. Aid in the transition process for appointed Liaisons to the Board of Directors. 

 

Freedom by Design Advisory Committee

Chair: Quinn McFadden | University of Nebraska Lincoln

Board Liaison: Erin Conti, AIAS, Assoc. AIA | 2020-2021 AIAS President

Members:

Arshia Alenaddaf | Affiliate Member, Mesa College

Christian Zaatini | Holy Spirit University of Kaslik

Dorcas Hakiza | Andrews University

Laurel Holloway | Auburn University

Marwa Al-Saqqar | Ryerson University

Michelle Tapia | University of Nevada Las Vegas

Yasmine Badawi | Boston Architectural College

Charges:

  1. Direct and/or perform training for Freedom by Design Directors at Grassroots and FORUM.
  2. Communicate with chapters and track all projects throughout the year.
  3. Support chapters throughout the year regarding waivers, liability, design mentors, construction mentors, school relations, fundraising, and Freedom by Design best practices.
  4. Collect and curate content documenting completed projects in conjunction with the AIAS National Office.
  5. Suggest and propose program changes, evolutions, or new initiatives to the AIAS Board of Directors, including but not limited to national FBD K-12 and other public outreach, educational and funding opportunities for FBD programs.
  6. Promote the entire scope of FBD; explore opportunities in service beyond design-build that AIAS members could partake in both virtually and in person.
  7. Maintain the official Freedom by Design national Instagram account.

 

Ethics Committee

Chair: Austin Peterson | University of Minnesota

Board Liaison: Erin Conti, AIAS, Assoc. AIA | 2020-2021 AIAS President

Members:

Amy Rosen | Carnegie Mellon University, Legacy 

Christina Slotkowski | University of North Carolina Charlotte

Connor Jordan | University of Colorado Denver

Maher Moghrabi | Lebanese American University

Tara Redding | Drexel University

Charges:

  1. Evaluate ethical issues of the organization when necessary, interpreting the Code of Ethics, and making recommendations as appropriate to the Board.

 

Council of Global Representatives

Co-Chair: Neşe Gülay Altıntaş | Illinois Institute of Technology

Co-Chair: Sandi Boutros | 2019-2020 Middle East Ambassador

Board Liaison: Erin Conti, AIAS, Assoc. AIA | 2020-2021 AIAS President

Member:

Fernando Olmedo Rivera | 2020-2021 Latin America Ambassador

Gaëlle Bazergi  | 2020-2021 Middle East Ambassador

Hady Tawk | Holy Spirit University of Kaslik

Leen Elharake | Lebanese American University

Nicole Bass | City College of New York

Pankti Thakkar | Savannah College of Art and Design

Pranjl Sharma | Ryerson University

Rahmah Davis | Morgan State University

Vanessa Abou Harb | Lebanese American University

Charges:

  1. Advocate for and support rights and needs of international students.
  2. Work in collaboration with the Membership Committee and the Finance Committee to explore International Membership fees and membership benefits for all members to ensure that the value of AIAS membership aligns with the fee in each respective region.
  3. Continue and expand upon engagement efforts started by the ‘19-’20 Council, including Coffee with the Council and international chapter/member highlights.
  4. Investigate and share resources and relevant information for international students studying/working within the U.S.and abroad.

 

Learning & Teaching Culture Advisory Group

Chair: Colt Brock | Georgia Institute of Technology

Board Liaison: Scott Cornelius, AIAS | 2020-2021 AIAS South Quadrant Director

Members:

Annie Ringhofer | University of Kansas

Baili Null | Bowling Green State University

Ella Knight | University of Nebraska LIncoln

Irene Vu | University of Texas at Arlington

Julia Barksdale | Northeastern University

Margaret Morgenstern | Roger Williams University

Nicholas Romero | University New Mexico

Petreen Thomas | University of Buffalo

Charges:

  1. Provide support and guidance for the implementation of the Model Learning & Teaching Culture Policy. 
  2. Define, advocate for, and support fair, equitable, and healthy practices of studying architecture for chapters and members. 
  3. Organize and implement a Health & Wellness Week for all AIAS chapters/members. 
  4. In collaboration with the Social Justice Task Force and Sustainability & Resiliency Task Force, help maintain the official Advocacy Instagram account. 

 

Social Justice Task Force

Chair: Elizabeth Caccavano | Temple University

Board Liaison: Cooper Moore, AIAS | 2019-2020 AIAS Midwest Quad Director

Members:

Alexander Ayuso | Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Carina Youssef | Lebanese American University

Christian Hudson | Howard University

Grace Madden | University of Tennessee Knoxville

India Chand | University of Minnesota

Juan Manuel Lua Lopez | University of Texas at Arlington

Kody Cheung | Drexel University

Rachel Wiesbrock | Illinois Institute of Technology

Charges:

  1. Define, advocate for and support rights and needs of underserved and minority groups of students. 
  2. Hold the AIAS accountable for and assess its efforts and initiatives towards an equitable and diverse culture. 
  3. Raise awareness of issues of injustice to the membership and show them how to actively advocate on behalf of themselves and their peers. 
  4. In collaboration with the Design & Technology Task Force, explore universal design and accessibility strategies and brainstorm the implementation of them into the curriculum in schools of architecture. 
  5. In collaboration with the Learning & Teaching Culture Advisory Group and Sustainability & Resiliency Task Force, help maintain the official Advocacy Instagram account. 

 

Sustainability & Resiliency Task Force

Chair: Jillian Baumann | New Jersey Institute of Technology

Board Liaison: Shannon DeFranza, AIAS | 2020-2021 AIAS Northeast Quad Director

Members:

Anna Weithas | Montana State University

Aubrey Bader | University of Tennessee Knoxville

Ezekiel Cambara | New York Institute of Technology – Old Westbury

Haley Rogers` | Bowling Green State University

Lydia Morgan | Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Kaylee Barnett | University of Nevada Las Vegas

Kristin Lorentzen | Cal Poly Pomona

Kyra Byrne | Roger Williams University

Charges:

  1. Define, advocate for, and support sustainable and resilient practices for chapters. 
  2. Hold the AIAS accountable for and assess its efforts and initiatives towards Sustainability and Resiliency. 
  3. Explore a Sustainability Commitment for the AIAS. 
  4. Review and refine the Best Practices Guide created by the ‘19-’20 Task Force. 
  5. Break down topics related to sustainability and resiliency to increase awareness and understanding among the membership. 
  6. In collaboration with the Social Justice Task Force and Learning & Teaching Culture Advisory Group, help maintain the official Advocacy Instagram account. 

 

Design & Technology Task Force

Chair: Kari Essary | University of Tennessee Knoxville

Board Liaison: Alex Geisen, AIAS | 2020-2021 AIAS West Quad Director

Members:

Aaron Wagnitz | Oklahoma State University

Collin Brown | Auburn University

Damla Begum Sucuka | Illinois Institute of Technology

Garrett Hartsuyker | Cal Poly Pomona

Jordan Luther | University of Massachusetts Amherst

Nabila Bustillos-Francis | North Carolina State University

Ritika Iyer | Northeastern University

Robert Rochel | Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Charges:

  1. Continue to develop the Resource Guides started by the ‘19-‘20 Learning & Technology Task Force. 
  2. Educate chapters and members about best practices for hosting virtual events, workshops, and tutorials. 
  3. Evaluate current AIAS Competitions, propose updates and explore new initiatives. 
  4. In collaboration with the Social Justice Task Force, explore universal design and accessibility strategies and brainstorm the implementation of them into the curriculum in schools of architecture.