AIAS @ Pdx

The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) is an independent, nonprofit, student-run organization dedicated to providing unmatched programs, information, and resources on issues critical to architectural education.

 

The mission of the AIAS is:

 

To promote excellence in architecture education, training and practice. We celebrate our membership in several ways. Members of the AIAS have the opportunity to have their work published in CRIT, Journal of the AIAS the only international journal devoted to the work and critical thoughts of architecture students.

 

To foster an appreciation of architecture and related disciplines. We host an annual convention, FORUM, which provides students with the opportunity to learn about the issues facing architectural education and the profession, to meet students and professionals with common interests, and to interact with some of today’s leading architects and designers.

 

To enrich communities in a spirit of collaboration. Through the Freedom by Design™ program, we are organizing our members to be good citizens in their communities.

 

To organize students and combine their efforts to advance the art and science of architecture. We serve as the sole student voice in the decision making process of such organizations as The American Institute of Architects (AIA), Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), and National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

I'm one of those obnoxious people who always knew what I wanted to do when I grew up.  I have always had the word ARCHITECT hanging out in front of me, like a carrot on a string in front of a horse.  Before PSU, I earned two associate degrees in Architectural and Civil Engineering Technology.  I chose Portland State for the wrong reasons: because it was close to home (I am very family oriented) and it was in-state tuition.  But it turned out to be the perfect fit.  As an art based school, they forced me to think differently than I was accustomed to.

 

I have been an AIAS member for three and a half years now!  What an experience it has been!   This will be my second term as Chapter President, following a year as Chapter Secretary.

I spent my twenties working in retail and coffee as a manger before leaving it all to return to school.

 

With a background in drawing and a brief interest in fashion, I want to apply my previous endeavors to my current focus in sustainable architecture.

 

I am minoring in environmental sustainability alongside my architecture curriculum and I recently passed the LEED Green Associate exam.

I am a sophomore in college majoring in a B.A. In Criminal Justice and Criminology. I moved to Portland in September which also was the first time I have ever been to Oregon! This move was spontaneous and different which is something I live for, I love change.

 

Something I plan on changing this year is more involvement around PSU. Although I may not be an architecture student, I have some experience as an architecture student and I know what it takes to be apart of a club. In high school I was project manager for ACE-(architecture, construction, and engineering) Mentor Program. So, I am excited to be the new AIAS chapter secretary at PSU this 2014-2015 school year!

I’m currently set to start my 400-levels in architecture and this will be my first year as a board member, second as a member of AIAS. I started at PSU studying biology and physics but after taking Intro to Architecture with Rudy Barton in Fall of 2012 I decided to switch my major and haven’t looked back. I did the Fast Track last year so I’m totally new to architecture but it’s been a fun and crazy ride so far! I’ve so far been insanely busy with the Fast Track schedule but I’m slowing down this year in hopes of getting to savor the experience and fit in a whole lot more cool stuff.

 

I am also a member and officer of the III-DA, which is a club on campus that does bronze-casting and other awesome stuff.