Since 2015, the University of Washington has recognized 100 outstanding Huskies who have made a significant impact on campus through their leadership, scholarship and commitment to improving the husky experience for all.
We are pleased to share that CBE Graduate Student Davien Graham from the departments of Architecture and Landscape Architecture has been honored as part of the 2026 Husky 100!
About Davien Graham, MLA / M Arch ‘26
Davien is from Detroit, Michigan, pursuing a dual masters degree in Architecture and Landscape Architecture this spring as part of a concurrent degree program at the College. Prior to coming to the UW, he attended Michigan State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Forestry in 2022.
While a student at Michigan State, Davien participated in the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at the UW, a two-year fellowship aimed towards undergraduate students holding identities historically excluded from careers in conservation that provides education into various modalities of practice, including modern and Indigenous methods.
Davien’s Impact at the UW
I’m delighted that Davien has been recognized with this honor. As President of NOMAS UW, he leads the planning of dozens of events each year that celebrate cultural diversity and foster a welcoming, vibrant community for students, faculty, and staff within the College of Built Environments.
His commitment to community-building is equally evident in his master’s thesis project, which proposes the adaptive reuse of an abandoned high school in his native Detroit to provide senior housing and community services while addressing climate-induced flooding.
Davien is relentlessly optimistic and brings boundless energy to everything he does. I have seldom, if ever, seen him without a smile. His energy and optimism are infectious, fueling his exceptional leadership.
During Davien’s time as a Husky, he has made a significant impact as a student and community-builder, creating strong connections with his peers in the built environments.
He is the President of the UW Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS UW), which helps shape the experience of students from underrepresented backgrounds by offering heritage month event series, site visits, networking events, design competitions, and community support. He is mentored by and works closely with professionals and alumni, helping give students access to prominent industry leaders, mentors, professors, design reviewers and advocates.
Under Davien’s leadership, NOMAS UW was named the 2025 Chapter of the Year in recognition of the chapter’s sustained efforts to create a better environment for all within the College of Built Environments, while advancing and championing diversity and equity across the industry. “Being named Chapter of the Year is a reflection of our shared commitment to creating a more equitable and inclusive design community,” Graham said. “I truly feel like the honor bestowed on us is telling of all the amazing work and accomplishments we’ve done.”
“I’m delighted that Davien has been recognized with this honor,” says Rick Mohler, Chair of the Department of Architecture. “As President of NOMAS UW, he leads the planning of dozens of events each year that celebrate cultural diversity and foster a welcoming, vibrant community for students, faculty, and staff within CBE”.
Matt Fujimoto—an architect and cultural heritage practitioner and UW instructor, who is also the elected Treasurer of NOMA NW— emphasizes:
“A budding intergenerational ecosystem of support, the institutional allyship of the UW College of Built Environments, and the recruitment of new generations of leaders who share NOMA’s mission, Davien’s leadership strength is his ability to bring people together and get them working effectively with one another.”
Further Engagement On- and Off-Campus
Additionally, Davien has served in several valuable roles, including Architectural Assistant and Fabrication Lab Student Assistant. He was recently a Teaching Assistant for the Scan Design Studio and Study Tour through the Department of Landscape Architecture, where he assisted with the planning and designing of a new Ballard waterfront project. Currently, Davien is one of the Coaches for this year’s Design Competition Studio, which brings together some of the best designers in the college to showcase their talents on a national stage.
On top of this involvement, Davien is engaging in meaningful research through his thesis work. Rick explains, “His commitment to community-building is equally evident in his master’s thesis project, which proposes the adaptive reuse of a vacant elementary school in his hometown of Detroit to provide senior housing and community services while addressing climate-induced flooding.”
Outside of the UW, Davien has interned for Environmental Works Community Design Center — a non-profit that serves underrepresented communities through design, architecture, and landscape architecture — as well as for architecture firm Perkins&Will.
Reflections as a Husky
Henry David Thoreau once said, ‘If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; they are where they should be, now put foundations under them.’
When I first joined the University of Washington’s College of Built Environments (CBE), I longed for a connection with something larger than myself; I longed for like-minded people of diverse backgrounds to reflect my own lived experiences. I longed for a castle in the air. The University of Washington chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS UW) became this castle, and over the course of my two years as president, I laid the foundation for this amazing organization to serve our college and the larger Seattle community. I am a proud Husky 100, a proud president and a proud member of the city that has adopted me!
Davien’s leadership has helped create a more inclusive, equitable, and impactful experience for fellow students at the College and greater UW.
“Davien is relentlessly optimistic and brings boundless energy to everything he does. I have seldom, if ever, seen him without a smile,” says Rick. “His energy and optimism are infectious, fueling his exceptional leadership.”
Through his engagement, he has built a robust network of friends and professionals, and emphasizes how important it is to connect with those around.
“Take risks and talk to people,” he says, “Everything great in this world started with a simple introduction, and design and the larger community are no different. We never really work alone, so it’s best to get out of the habit sooner rather than later.”
Congratulations, Davien, on being honored as part of the Husky 100!
Read more about the 2026 Husky 100 cohort.