AIA Large Firm Roundtable Deans’ Forum
October 16th, 2024
AIA New York | Center for Architecture
This past October, I was invited to the AIA Large Firm Roundtable Deans’ Forum in New York City as the student representative of UW’s Department of Architecture. This event was attended by CEOs and leaders of the top 60 firms in the nation, Deans of architecture programs from universities across the country, and their chosen student representatives. It was an amazing dialogue between the professional world, the academic world, and the students who bridge the gap.
During the forum at the Center for Architecture, there were a number of events for the attendees to discuss current topics in the built environments. I sat at a table with two CEOs, three Deans, and two other students. We discussed expectations for entering the profession, how to accommodate students with jobs, and upcoming changes to architectural standards. There were also several amazing panels on alternate pathways to licensure, how academia can support the profession and vice versa, and the current issues being addressed at universities.
We also had the opportunity to organize a student-led panel discussion. We student representatives met beforehand to pick the panelists and the topics we wanted to speak on. I was elected as one of the five panelists to speak on the frustrating lack of diversity in curricula and the concurrent lack of effort from professors to learn and teach about architecture from different cultures. We also spoke on the inadequate support network for students of color, disadvantages international students face when seeking jobs, uncertainty around the future role of AI, post-COVID studio culture, and the stagnant job market for emerging professionals. Though we were heavily critiquing the system created by these leading professionals sitting in the audience, we received overwhelming support and pride for speaking our truths.
A group of us students were also able to explore Manhattan the first night, walking around past midnight and getting to know each other. Oftentimes, architectural communities are such insulated bubbles that we don’t know whether our struggles are personal or universal. This forum was a fantastic event that helped pop that bubble for not only me and the other students, but hopefully for the Deans and CEOs that are leading this profession.
Joy Munoz
Master of Architecture – 2025