Governance

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.

 

In 2018, the AIAS Board of Directors completed the strategic goals for the next few years of the organization. With these goals, the AIAS aims to provide value to you, our member, through programs and services that benefit:

YOUR PRESENT

• Build content, culture, and community that reflects the values of the AIAS

YOUR NEAR FUTURE

• Support your network of current and past members to advance member enrichment

YOUR FUTURE

• Highlight how the study of architecture can raise the value of design beyond the architectural community
• Educate and empower advocates of design to address and create innovative solutions for emerging global issues

2018 Strategic Plan

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:

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. 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.
3. 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:

1. Work with the Executive Director to review the bi-annual audit of the organization.
2. Research organizations and clubs at Community Colleges and make recommendations for the reassessment of dues for chapters at Community Colleges.
3. Encourage and facilitate networking and collaboration between chapter Treasurers.
4. Communicate with the Programs staff member 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.
6. 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:

1. Host Town Halls and collect data for the purpose of exploring and assessing the value of AIAS membership.
2. Develop other content and programming to explain the value of AIAS membership.
3. Oversee and expand the AIAS Chapter Alumni Mentorship Program (CAMP).
4. 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:

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.
4. 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:

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

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:

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.
3. 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:

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.

 

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:

1. 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.
2. Discuss the format and content of general AIAS programming and develop a strategy for the future of AIAS
   programming.
3. 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:

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. 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:

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. Research, contribute to and update relevant sections of the Model Learning & Teaching Culture Policy.
5. Develop and organize programming to educate members on cultural change and healthy cultural practices.
6. 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:

1. Evaluate the practices of the AIAS and identify the most critical areas of focus in which the AIAS can have a positive
   impact.
2. Steer the THRIVE webinar series in collaboration with other committees.
3. Develop and conduct a survey on sustainable practices in architectural education.
4. Survey the membership on the strategic focuses of the AIAS to ensure alignment with member values.
5. Research existing K-12 architecture programs and discuss future AIAS K-12 engagement.

June 14th

• Deadline to propose a resolution

June 15th

• Resolutions published on aias.org
• Open call for amendments to resolutions

July 1st

• Deadline to propose an amendment to a resolution

July 2nd

• Amendments published on aias.org

July  24th & 25th – Grassroots Council of Presidents Meeting 

• Voting on resolutions and amendments

To submit a resolution or amendment, please draft up a proposal as a “motion” using Robert’s Rules of Order, provide background or rationale up to one paragraph in length, and email it to president@aias.org in advance of the deadlines above. Questions or concerns about a proposal can also be submitted to the same address.

Motion

Auburn University and Oklahoma State University move to jointly charge the 2021-2022 Finance and Membership committees to explore the creation of a fund held by the National Office in support of chapter development and growth.

Background

Through multiple conversations with Scott Cornelius in his capacity as South Quadrant Director, and the authors, we saw an opportunity to use the excess funds we currently have to allow other chapters to use it to develop and grow. Our aim is not simply to extend the reach of the AIAS, it is to better the lives and experiences of all architecture students through engagement and opportunity.

Through this initiative we hope to give smaller, newer, or even growing chapters the chance to think big. Through providing them with the financial resources to allow them to host/plan larger events, to extend beyond only their chapter members. Our goal is to afford every architecture student the opportunities we have had during our tenure in architecture school.

We move to charge the Finance and Membership Committees with further investigation into the creation and maintenance of a fund held in trust by the AIAS National Board of Directors to be used by chapters, as required, to aid in the development and growth of individual chapters.