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Board Member Report
By Shazad Ghanbari, Ph.D., International Assoc. AIA
Director of Education
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Since its launching in 2002, knowledge and outreach have been the essence of the AIAOC Education Committee (EdCom). Although fresh in its existence, EdCom has been dedicated in its efforts to accomplishing the following objectives:
- to tap into today’s youth and the future of the profession
- to educate students and our communities about the value of design
- to encourage and facilitate community involvement in AIAOC and the design profession.
There remains no better resource for any professional than that of its youth. With this in mind, the Education Committee has designed three sub-committees. The first is chaired by Arthur C. Danielian, FAIA who was responsible for the 2004 AIAOC Student Design Competition. In its continued development, the Student Design Competition has awarded numerous scholarships to local students. As a result of the competition, many participants have been admitted into university level programs while others continue to remain active in their local chapters. This year, the awards ceremony was hosted by Dr. Robert Schuller, Hon. AIA and was held on May 22nd from 1-2pm at the Crystal Cathedral’s International Center for Possibility Thinking designed by Richard Meier, FAIA.
The second sub-committee, chaired by Barbara Helton-Berg, AIA, focuses on the much-applauded Built Environment Education Program (BEEP). This program devotes its efforts to providing awareness of architecture, urban planning, and the role of the populace on urban growth to the next generation. Last year, 14 architects volunteered their genius to help students in the Santa Ana school district build, from recycled trash, cities, towns, museums and more. Such efforts culminated in the student’s own works of art.
Lastly, the AIAOC Education Committee has worked diligently to promote further support of AIA Student chapter (AIAS). This third sub-committee is headed by the AIA Student Chapter President, Amanda Phillips. This AIAS chapter is one of the strongest in the country and just last year received an Honor Award by AIAS National as “2002 CO-chapter of the Year.”
The Education Committee of the AIAOC welcomes all member collaboration, ideas, and suggestions.
Most sincerely,
Shazad Ghanbari, Ph.D.
International Assoc. AIA
Director of Education Committee
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