2026 AIAS Honor Awards Jury Announced!

The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) is pleased to announce the jury for the 2026 AIAS Honor Awards!

Each year, the AIAS Honor Awards recognize outstanding achievements by students, educators, and professionals who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to leadership, design excellence, advocacy, collaboration, and service. These awards celebrate individuals, chapters, and initiatives making meaningful contributions to architectural education, their communities, and the future of the profession.

This year’s jury brings together a diverse group of students, emerging professionals, educators, and industry leaders whose experiences reflect the breadth of the AIAS community. From student leadership and mentorship to professional practice and architectural education, each juror brings a unique perspective to recognizing the achievements of our members.

Meet the 2026 AIAS Honor Awards Jury!

	Patricia Negrón Meléndez, AIAS, NOMA (she/her/hers) Patricia Negrón Meléndez serves as the 2026–2027 Vice President of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) and Student Director for the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA). A Puerto Rican designer and current graduate student at Tulane University, she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architecture from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), graduating Magna Cum Laude and receiving the Alpha Rho Chi Bronze Medal. Previously, Patricia served as the National Student Representative for the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) and the AIAS NOMA Liaison, fostering collaboration, mentorship, and student engagement. Her passion for design justice, advocacy, and equity continues to shape her commitment to advancing architectural education and creating more inclusive, community-centered spaces.
	Dalia Zaid, AIAS (she/her/hers) Dalia Zaid is a graduate of An-Najah National University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering. While at An-Najah, she served as FBD Director for two years and was involved in AIAS through the FBD and Membership Committees. At the international level, she served as AIAS Media & Marketing Co-Chair and received the Chapter Leader of the Year Award. Through her time in AIAS, Dalia enjoyed contributing to initiatives that supported architecture students and the AIAS community. She is interested in architectural and product design, visual communication, and community-centered initiatives.
	Dixzell Baculao, AIAS (she/her/hers) Dixzell Baculao is a Filipina immigrant designer and the 2025 recipient of the AIAS Chapter Leader Honor Award. She has been actively involved with AIAS UNLV, serving as Events Coordinator, President, and Past President. As President, she relaunched the chapter’s Professional Mentorship Program, secured a record amount of sponsorship funding to support chapter initiatives, and helped strengthen connections between students and the profession. She is passionate about creating opportunities for students to engage with and learn from the architecture community. She currently serves on the Alumni and Social Media and Marketing Committees and as a mentor for the ACE Mentor Program of Southern Nevada. She will begin her Master of Architecture at the University of Washington in Seattle in Fall 2026.
	Julia Andor, AIAS, Assoc. AIA, NOMA (she/her/hers) Julia Andor is the Northeast Regional Director at the ACE Mentor Program of America, where she supports affiliate leaders and creates opportunities for connection, mentorship, and community building. A proud AIAS alumna and Honor Award recipient, Julia has a deep appreciation for the leadership, service, advocacy, and impact celebrated through the AIAS Honor Awards. Her experience working alongside students, educators, and emerging professionals continues to shape her passion for recognizing and amplifying the people and ideas helping to build a more connected and inclusive future for the AEC industry.
	Saakshi Terway, Assoc. AIA, LEED Green Associate (she/her/hers) Saakshi Terway, Assoc. AIA, LEED Green Associate, is a Design Professional at Quinn Evans in Washington, DC, where she contributes to the heritage and living practice areas. As a licensed architect in India, she holds a Master of Architecture and a certificate in Sustainable Landscape Design from the University of Cincinnati (UC). Saakshi’s work is rooted in a commitment to equity, climate resilience, and technology integration in architecture. She currently serves as the Associate Director to the AIA Board of Directors and the Secretary of the Immigrant Architects Coalition Nonprofit. Alongside being a published writer and public speaker, she founded the Inclusivity Student Scholarship at UC. Her contributions to the profession have been recognized with several honors, including the 2025 AIA Louise Blanchard Bethune Fellowship, 2024 AIACA Norma Sklarek Humanitarian Award, 2023 DCCEAS Young Architect Award, and 2022 AIA|DC Emerging Architect’s Award.
	Luis Rico-Gutierrez (he/him/his) Luis Rico-Gutierrez serves as Dean of the College of Design at Iowa State University, where 2,200 students and 150 faculty and staff in seven departments nurture a comprehensive design ecosystem determined to enhance how we live, work, and thrive. An architect whose career spans three continents, he previously served as Associate Dean at Carnegie Mellon’s College of Fine Arts, where he co-founded the Remaking Cities Institute, demonstrating the power of connecting academic expertise with community knowledge. As a Senior Fellow of the Design Futures Council, Rico-Gutierrez is recognized internationally for advancing excellence by connecting people, disciplines, and cultures.