Wedu Gwafila

“The culture of bringing one another up is very strong here at Taubman, and that aspect of this community brings many students and faculty together.”

Why did you choose Taubman College as the right program for you?
Taubman College felt like the right program because of its range of opportunities, from research and student project teams, and the diverse range of faculty and research fellows who provide insight into unique ways of approaching the built environment.

What is special or excites you about the Taubman community?
The culture of bringing one another up is very strong here at Taubman, and that aspect of this community brings many students and faculty together. It cultivates an environment that feels productive even when mistakes are made, and feels as though we all push each other forward.

Describe your experience with faculty and professional staff during your time at Taubman?
I’ve had some amazing conversations with many of the faculty and staff here at Taubman. There’s always some way to connect and learn from them, even if they aren’t your professors. I’ve also met professors who have not formally taught me but with whom I’ve had full conversations about my/their work, and many of them have surprisingly remembered my name from our small encounters. I think it exemplifies how much they all care about the Taubman community, and for many of the students who are a part of that.

How has Taubman’s career and professional development support prepared you for a successful career in your chosen field?
Taubman’s career and professional development team has formed an environment where opportunities to further your professional pursuit are always available in some way. Whether through career fairs, the Taubman College Career Network, or the advisors, there are multiple ways to gain some form of deeper understanding of your path beyond your education. I’ve been able to have many meetings with advisors and used many of the resources shared with students to gauge myself at the moment and where I want to be.

What benefits have you experienced being part of the University of Michigan?
Cross-campus opportunities are a privilege. I’ve had the opportunity to be part of student teams like MRacing and take those skills and connections to develop myself and my interests. Even while pursuing my architecture degree, there are so many opportunities outside of that to learn more about myself. This experience was what helped me to decide to pursue an academic minor in civil engineering alongside my B.S. Arch.

What do you like most about being part of the Ann Arbor community?
The people and the food. In the fall and spring, especially, everyone is so lively that you can often forget if you’ve had a rough day, and I don’t think I could run out of restaurants to try in Ann Arbor.

What advice would you give prospective students as they consider Taubman College?
Keep an open mind always. I’ve been lucky enough to have taken almost all my modules with different professors, and each one is different from the other in some way, and there are so many things you can learn from any of them if you let yourself.

What are your plans after graduation?
My focus right now is definitely pursuing my M.Arch, but I’d also like to get some professional experience before that, with the end goal right now being to eventually get my license.

Additional advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective students?
Make the most of your time wherever you go, but make sure you enjoy it. One bad grade isn’t the end of the world, and always keep the bigger picture in mind.