February 2026 Chapter Leader of the Month: Alejandra Mateus

The AIAS is proud to recognize Alejandra Mateus from the University of South Florida as our February Chapter Leader of the Month, celebrating her thoughtful, student-centered leadership and her commitment to building strong connections between education, advocacy, and professional practice.

As President of the AIAS USF Chapter, Alejandra has centered her leadership on empowering students with the tools, confidence, and networks needed to succeed both during school and after graduation. With an intentional focus on bridging the gap between academia and practice, she has helped build mentorship programs and professional partnerships that connect students with local and national firms, while also strengthening collaboration among neighboring AIAS chapters. Her work ensures that students graduate not only with a degree, but with a voice, a support system, and a sense of belonging within the profession.

One of Alejandra’s proudest achievements has been leading her chapter’s participation in AIA Florida Legislative Day since 2024. Through this effort, she has expanded opportunities for students to engage in advocacy and civic leadership, helping coordinate participation from 44 students across multiple Florida institutions this year. By bringing students and professionals together at the state capitol, Alejandra has reinforced the importance of student voices in shaping the future of architecture.

Looking ahead, Alejandra continues to push her chapter forward through impactful initiatives. She is currently focused on launching the chapter’s first Freedom by Design design-build project, expanding Student Wellbeing Support, and training student leaders to advocate alongside organizations such as NOMAS, SPAR, and SWIA. Each initiative reflects her belief that strong communities, intentional advocacy, and empowered student leadership can meaningfully shape both architectural education and the profession at large.

Alejandra was nominated by her peer, Dariel Nunez, who shared:

Alejandra has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and passion for our AIAS chapter. She consistently goes above and beyond to support members, organize impactful events, and foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. Her commitment to collaboration and her ability to motivate others have greatly strengthened our chapter’s presence and success.

Through her vision, work ethic, and unwavering commitment to students, Alejandra exemplifies the mission of AIAS. We are proud to celebrate her leadership and recognize her as February’s Chapter Leader of the Month.