“Our in-house career development office has been a great help in reviewing my resume and portfolio and making helpful connections to professionals and various alumni.”
Hometown
Freeland MI, USA
Degree Program(s)
B.S. Arch
M.Arch
Expected Graduation Date
May, 2025
Academic Areas of Interest
Health & Design, Public Safety, Community-Based Design
Hobbies or interests outside of academia
FF/EMT, Peer Mentor Program, Football
Why did you choose Taubman College as the right program for you?
Taubman offered a wide range of opportunities, including the credibility of the University of Michigan name, but also the comforts of a small program where professors care about you and know you by name.
What is special or excites you about the Taubman community?
The Taubman community is continuing to grow and improve its culture after the pandemic. This last year, we hosted our first annual ball, saw numerous organizations start (including our great University of Michigan AIAS Chapter), and saw an increasingly vast student body who are excited to share their experiences and designs.
If applicable, tell us about studio culture – what is inspiring or innovative or unique?
Studio culture is what makes architecture school enjoyable. It is a time-intensive and hard program to be in, but when your class is hanging around in and outside class time you start to build a camaraderie with each other. So when it comes to the late 2 AM work sessions, have a support network sharing snacks and singing Katy Perry with you, doesn’t make it seem so bad.
Describe your experience with faculty and professional staff during your time at Taubman?
Staff and faculty often take a personal stake in your well-being. In my first major studio semester (known as UG1), my professor cared enough about me to check in on how I was doing in other classes and what classes I had taken before hers so she could customize her teaching to me and my experiences.
How has Taubman’s career and professional development support prepared you for a successful career in your chosen field?
Our in-house career development office has been a great help in reviewing my resume and portfolio and making helpful connections to professionals and various alumni. They have supported our AIAS chapter by connecting us to numerous professionals and allowing us to hold events like networking sessions and mock interviews.
What benefits have you experienced being part of the University of Michigan?
There are ample opportunities for research and networking that come with the name and resources of U-M. When I was applying to a conference, the person running the conference immediately recognized the name of the university name and had a personal connection to an alumni of the college. She was kind enough to waive my conference fees and write a letter personally inviting me. The university also provided me with the funding needed, so I could attend this opportunity without personal expense.
What do you like most about being part of the Ann Arbor community?
Ann Arbor is a college town. I enjoy being able to take a bus downtown to hang out with friends, get food, or chill at a local bar without worrying about parking or my vehicle. The city is a very walkable area where it is safe to enjoy your off-time. The university also provides ride-sharing in case people don’t feel safe or don’t have a vehicle for getting back home at night. The city also takes great pride in the college, and it is an incredible feeling to be a part of that, especially as football national champions.
What advice would you give prospective students as they consider Taubman College?
Taubman is a unique place full of special individuals. Not a single one of us is the same. You won’t be cookie-cutter either. Embrace your differences.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduating with my M.Arch, I intend to work in practice in the pursuit of becoming a licensed Architect and owning my own firm one day. I would like to work in community-based designs, health by design, or the public safety sector of architecture so I can continue to help others with my architectural projects.
Additional advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective students?
If you are interested in joining our Taubman culture, you don’t have to simply take a recruiter’s description for it. Taubman offers numerous information sessions where students like myself will answer your questions and tell our experiences at the college from the same shoes you would be in. Feel free to come listen and check it out for yourself.