October 13, 2021 by 2019-2020 Equity & Diversity Task Force, 2019-2020 Sustainability & Resiliency Task Force, 2020-2021 Council of Global Representatives, 2020-2021 Learning & Teaching Culture Advisory Group, 2021-2022 Professional Development Advisory Group

Please join us in welcoming the 2021-2022 AIAS Committees and Task Forces! Each year, we rely on the committees and task forces to move the AIAS forward and provide members with valuable knowledge and resources. This year we can look forward to innovations in the membership experience and the organization’s structure, as well as new efforts in research and advocacy. Through local and global member collaboration, we will continue to build an education and profession 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 a year of change and growth!

The 2021-2022 Committee rosters and general charges can be found below. Take a look at the 2021-2022 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: Erin Conti, AIAS, Assoc. AIA, NOMA | 2021-2022 AIAS Past-President

Board Liaison: Jessie Cart, AIAS | 2020-2021 AIAS South Quad Director

Members:

Scott Cornelius, AIAS, Assoc. AIA | 2021-2022 AIAS President

Cooper Moore | Kent State University

Fatoumata Thiero | Morgan State University

Gabriel Brown | Auburn University

Geri Roa Kim | Pratt Institute

Jack Collins | Bowling Green State University

Julia Andor | New York Institute of Technology – Long Island

Mohannad El Abassi | Lebanese American University

Charges:

  1. 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.
  2. Research the effectiveness of the 2018 Strategic Plan, and in collaboration with the Board and the Executive Director begin developing goals for a 2022 Strategic Plan.
  3. Based on governance consultant recommendations, research and report on the structure and effectiveness of organizations similar to the AIAS.

Finance Committee

Chair: Shannon DeFranza, AIAS, Assoc. AIA | 2021-2022 AIAS Vice President

Board Liaison: Elizabeth Caccavano, AIAS | 2021-2022 AIAS Northeast  Quad Director

Members:

Ashley Ash | Interim Executive Director

Sara Taketatsu, AIAS, Assoc. AIA | 2021-2022 AIAS Past Vice President

Carrie Tam | Northeastern University

Enya Xu | Northeastern University

Jordan Luther | Carnegie Mellon University

Julia Mauk | Oklahoma State University

Melissa González | Universidad de Monterrey

Sara Manasfi | Holy Spirit University of Kaslik

Charges:

  1. Work with the Executive Director to review the bi-annual audit of the organization.
  2. In collaboration with the Membership Committee, explore the creation and implementation of a fund held by the National Office in support of chapter development and growth.
  3. Encourage and facilitate networking and collaboration between chapter Treasurers.
  4. Communicate with the Director of Partnerships and Development to ensure the AIAS’s partnership and fundraising efforts are aligned with student values.
  5. Assist the FBDAC in developing resources or guides to raising and managing funds for FBD Directors.

 

Personnel Committee

Chair: Kristine Harding, AIA, NCARB | 2019-2022 NCARB Liaison

Board Liaison: Baili Null, AIAS | 2021-2022 AIAS Midwest Quad Director

Members:

Erin Conti, AIAS, Assoc. AIA | 2021-2022 AIAS Past President

Beth Lundell Garver, AIA, NCARB | 2021-2024 ACSA Liaison

Montre’ale Jones, NOMAS | 2021-2022 NOMA Liaison

Ricardo Rodriguez, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, ACI | 2020-2023 AIA Liaison

Charges:

  1. Serve as a mentorship component for the Executive Director.
  2. Conduct appraisals of the Officers and Executive Director bi-annually, update and improve the appraisal process.
  3. 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.

 

Membership Committee

Chair: Shannon DeFranza, AIAS, Assoc. AIA | 2021 2022 AIAS Vice President

Board Liaison: Nicholas Romero, AIAS | 2021-2022 AIAS West Quad Director

Staff Liaison: Sara Taketatsu, AIAS, Assoc. AIA | Interim Director of Membership

Members:

Abi Price | University of Kansas

Alexis Ream | Bowling Green State University

Connor Jordan | University of Colorado Denver

Ethan Sandburg | University of Kansas

Kenneth Kramer | Virginia Tech

Michael Zima | Illinois Institute of Technology

Quinn McFadden | University of Nebraska – Lincoln

Tania Aoun | Holy Spirit University of Kaslik

Charges:

  1. Explore and assess the value of AIAS membership.
  2. Complete the guide for new and re-establishing chapters as started by the 2020-2021 Membership Committee
  3. Oversee and expand the AIAS Alumni Mentorship Program (AAMP) and document a process of effectively running the Program for reference by future committees.
  4. In collaboration with the Finance Committee, research the creation and implementation of a fund held by the National Office to support chapter development and growth.
  5. Communicate with the Director of Partnerships and Development to ensure the AIAS’s partnership and fundraising efforts are aligned with student values.

 

Freedom by Design Advisory Committee

Chair: Marwa Al-Saqqar | The University formerly known as Ryerson

Board Liaison: Scott Cornelius, AIAS, Assoc. AIA | 2021-2022 AIAS President

Members:

Arshia Alenaddaf | San Diego Mesa College

Christina Al Achkar | Holy Spirit University of Kaslik

Elizabeth Scamardo | Texas A&M University

Karalina Shastavets | Savannah College of Art & Design

Madeleine Dacumos | University of Arizona

Michelle Tapia | University of Nevada Las Vegas

Tristan Osorio | University of Nevada Las Vegas

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. In collaboration with the Finance Committee, develop resources or guides to raising and managing funds for FBD Directors.
  6. Maintain the official Freedom by Design national Instagram account

 

Ethics Committee

Chair: Tara Redding | Drexel University

Board Liaison:Scott Cornelius, AIAS, Assoc. AIA | 2021-2022 AIAS President

Members:

Amanda Lang | [Formerly] Ryerson University

Elijah Weston | Auburn University

Grace Madden | University of Tennessee Knoxville

Joelle Issa | Holy Spirit University of Kaslik

John Darwin | Texas A&M University

Lauren Maloney | University of Kansas

Sydne Nance | New Jersey Institute of Technology

Charges:

  1. Reconsider and update the AIAS Code of Ethics to be of best use to the organization.
  2. Stand as needed in response to Ethics violations.

 

Council of Global Representatives

Chair: Nicole Bass | City College of New York

Board Liaison: Adan Hernandez, AIAS | 2021-2022 AIAS Latin America Regional Ambassador

Board Liaison: Vanessa Abou Harb, AIAS | 2021-2022 AIAS Middle East Regional Ambassador

Member:

Scott Cornelius, AIAS, Assoc. AIA | 2021-2022 AIAS President

Anum Azhar | TNS Beaconhouse

Carolina Gutierrez Irias | Universidad de Monterrey

Caroline Sanabria | University of Texas at San Antonio

Hammoud Choucair | Lebanese American University

Juanita Libreros Foronda | Savannah College of Art & Design

Paulina Garza | Universidad de Monterrey

Valeria Bardi Cohen | Pratt Institute

Charges:

  1. Advocate for and support rights and needs of international students.
  2. Explore and propose international relationships and partnerships.
  3. Review and conduct research as needed to update dues for International members.
  4. Continue and expand upon efforts and programming to engage International chapters and members with those in the U.S.

 

Education & Culture Task Force

Chair: Pankti Thakkar | Savannah College of Art & Design

Board Liaison: Baili Null, AIAS | 2021-2022 AIAS Midwest Quadrant Director

Members:

Danielle Malizio | University of Pittsburgh

Ezekiel Cambara | New York Institute of Technology Long Island

Isaac Haynes | Auburn University

Liz Fraka | University of Kansas

Mia Mehanna | Holy Spirit University of Kaslik

Michelle Dreyer | University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Pornpun Saotonglang | University of Houston

Nirmiti Pandit | University at Buffalo

Charges:

  1. Review and update the Model Learning & Teaching Culture Policy.
  2. Engage and partner with Allied Organizations and Universities to advocate for and strengthen the Model Learning & Teaching Culture Policy.
  3. Develop and organize programming to educate members on cultural change and healthy cultural practices.
  4. Conduct research through students and other Committees in order to fully understand, then advocate for the student voice in the topic of curricula in architectural education.
  5. Research existing K-12 architecture programs and discuss future AIAS K-12 engagement.
  6. Help maintain the official AIAS Advocacy Instagram account.

 

Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Task Force

Chair: Victor Gonzalez | University of Colorado Boulder

Board Liaison: Elizabeth Caccavano, AIAS | 2021-2022 AIAS Northeast Quad Director

Members:

Briannah Wheeler | Texas A&M University

Catherine Chattergoon | Pratt Institute

Elise Park | New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury

Kody Cheung | Drexel University

Rahmah Davis | Morgan State University

Razan Hadidi | University of Memphis

Shameen Akhtar | Washington University in St. Louis

Warda Zaidi | Savannah College of Art & Design

Charges:

  1. 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.
  2. Hold Town Halls and other programming to assess the needs of minority architecture students and explore strategies for the AIAS to meet these needs.
  3. Continue efforts by the 2020-2021 Social Justice and Design & Technology Task Forces to explore universal design and accessibility strategies and brainstorm the implementation of them into the curriculum in schools of architecture.
  4. Help maintain the official AIAS Advocacy Instagram account.

 

Mental Health Task Force

Chair: Julia Barksdale | Northeastern University

Board Liaison: Jessie Cart, AIAS | 2021-2022 AIAS South Quad Director

Members:

Aaron Wagnitz | Oklahoma State University

Brianna Tsatskin | Arizona State University

Colt Brock | Georgia Institute of Technology

Haley Lozak | Auburn University

Jesse Martin | Arizona State University

Lillian Anderson | Northeastern University

Mariana Jasso Ahumada | CRGS

Charges:

  1. Define, advocate for, and support positive cognitive health practices for chapters, committees, and the Board.
  2. Communicate and partner with similar bodies in Allied Organizations to better understand mental health issues within the education and profession of architecture.
  3. Create mental health-focused programming for the FORUM and Grassroots conferences.
  4. Plan and implement the annual Health & Wellness Week.
  5. Research, contribute to and update relevant sections of the Model Learning & Teaching Culture Policy.
  6. Help maintain the official AIAS Advocacy Instagram account.

 

Professional Development Advisory Group

Chair: Gabriella Spatz | Bowling Green State University

Board Liaison: Nicholas Romero, AIAS | 2021-2022 AIAS West Quad Director

Members:

Britney Martinez | University of Kansas

Jibraan Zobairi | Pratt Institute

Kari Essary | University of Tennessee Knoxville

Laura Schmidt | Illinois Institute of Technology

Marcelle El Achkar | Holy Spirit University of Kaslik

Megan Suarez | Florida International University

Monika Uguryan | Woodbury University – Burbank

Charges:

  1. Collaborate with the National Office to develop topics for THRIVE Webinars and other professional development programs.
  2. Continue efforts by the 2020-2021 Board of Directors to establish resources to guide students who are interested in alternative career paths.
  3. Serve as a resource for hard and technical skills regarding practice and lifelong learning.
  4. Continue the 2020-2021 Design & Technology Task Force’s collaboration with the AIA Young Architects Forum.

 

Technology & Sustainability Task Force

Co-Chair: Aubrey Bader | University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Co-Chair: Collin Brown | Auburn University

Board Liaison: Scott Cornelius, AIAS, Assoc. AIA | 2021-2022 AIAS President

Members:

Hans-Nikolas Romano | Northeastern University

Keith Hughes | Georgia Institute of Technology

Kyra Byrne | University of Washington

Mackenzie Corbitt | Keene State College

Mia Karim | Holy Spirit University of Kaslik

Nathan Fehrs | Roger Williams University

Robert Gay | University of Minnesota

Sydney Neff | University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Charges:

  1. Research and develop content educating members on emerging building technologies, softwares and practices geared toward making design and construction more sustainable.
  2. Research the fiscal, cultural and educational barriers to green technology.
  3. Review, update and expand on the AIAS Green Meeting Guidelines to ensure sustainable practices within AIAS chapters in virtual, hybrid and in-person scenarios.
  4. Contribute relevant content to CRIT Journal.
  5. Help maintain the official AIAS Advocacy Instagram account.