WahlgrenSarah60th National AIAS PresidentCandidacy Packet

smwahlgren@gmail.com512.350.73962850 Fairway Drive 213ABirmingham, Alabama 35213

SarahWahlgren

Contents

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Letter of School SupportDavid Hinson, FAIA

Candidate Questionaire

AIAS Policy on Intern Compensation

AIAS Elections Code of EthicsRésumé02

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Letter of Intent

Contact Information Sheet

Campaign Flyer

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AIAS President 2016 – 2017

Professor and School Head

1. AIAS Leadership Story2. Most Important Issue

06 3. Global Connections4. Future Opportunities

Candidate Questionaire

smwahlgren@gmail.com512.350.73962850 Fairway Drive 213ABirmingham, Alabama 35213

SarahWahlgren

Charlie J Klecha, Assoc. AIAPast President & Elections Committee ChairAmerican Institute of Architecture Students1735 New York Ave NWWashington, DC, 20006-5297

RE: Letter of Intent to Run for AIAS President

Dear Past President Klecha,

Please accept this as notification of my intent to run for the position of the 2016-2017 American Institute of Architecture Students National President.

AIAS has served a significant role in my life during my undergraduate education and upon graduation, I would be honored to serve the members of this inspiring organization. From my chapter leadership experience and serving on the Board of Directors as the 2015 – 2016 South Quadrant Director, I have learned quite a bit about the organization’s successes and struggles of the past few years. I look forward to the opportunity to bring a fresh perspective and new energy to the National Office, and to continue the forward-thinking culture that encourages members to always strive toward their fullest potential.

Working with AIAS at the chapter and national level has been the most rewarding component of my college experience. The people I have met and worked with have pushed me to do things I never would have thought possible. My involvement in AIAS has made me a better student and helped me to become more excited about the architecture profession. Now, I am never more comfortable and confident than when I am balancing AIAS meetings and planning with my studio and design classes. I have seen this organization make people not just strong leaders, but confident designers and architects who will have an amazing impact on the profession.

Throughout my chapter involvement at Auburn University and during my current term as South Quad Director I have stayed passionate about instilling leadership skills and confidence in new leaders and continued to work toward the betterment of our educational and professional experiences through our peers. We have the power and responsibility to create supportive and memorable experiences for each other.

I am open-minded, approachable, and determined—qualities that our next president needs as the AIAS enters its 60th anniversary and faces new opportunities in a changing profession. I could not be more excited about the prospect of serving the students, the chapters, and the national organization that I have come to care about very deeply, and I believe that I am distinctly qualified to do so.

Enclosed you will find the materials requisite to certify my candidacy. Thank you for your time and service to the members of the AIAS.

Sincerely,

Sarah WahlgrenDirector, South Quadrant 2015 – 2016 American Institute of Architecture Students

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smwahlgren@gmail.com512.350.73962850 Fairway Drive 213ABirmingham, Alabama 35213

SarahWahlgren

EducationAuburn University, Auburn, Alabama Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor of Interior Architecture, Business Minor Auburn University Urban Studio, Birmingham, Alabama University of Arkansas Rome Center, Rome, Italy Auburn University Rural Studio, Newbern, Alabama

Westlake High School, Austin, Texas University of Texas Summer Academy of Architecture Landmark Forum Graduate

Leadership and InvolvementSouth Quadrant Director, American Institute of Architecture Students Serve on the AIAS National Board of Directors representing 53 chapters across 14 states.

. Liaison, Freedom By Design Advisory Group Co-chair the advisory group dedicated to advancing the AIAS community service program that provides dignity through design to low-income and disabled homeowners.

Toastmasters International — UAB Chapter Lead and speak in bi-weekly meetings at the University of Alabama Birmingham chapter of the international leadership and communication organization that trains members to effectively formulate, express, and sell ideas.

ACE Mentor Program Mentor and engage with high school students in the Birmingham area interested in the fields of architecture, construction, and engineering. Mentorship involves site visits, group activities, competitions, and one-on-one relationships.

President, American Institute of Architecture Students, Auburn University Chapter Led one of the largest AIAS chapters in the country. Implemented several new programs including a professor lecture series, and organized a record-number of students to attend the Spring 2015 AIAS South Quad Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Rural Studio Liaison, AIAS South Quad Conference Organized and managed a day-long tour of Auburn Univerisity’s Rural Studio for more than 70 visiting students from across the country as part of the Fall 2013 AIAS South Quad conference. Ambassador, College of Architecture, Design, and Construction Represented the Auburn University and the architecture program to prospective students and alumni at Auburn, as well as during recruiting events in Atlanta and Birmingham. Treasurer, American Institute of Architecture Students, Auburn University Chapter Enhanced Auburn University’s AIAS chapter by managing expenses and expanding opportunities to increase profits to send students to conferences. Flute player, Auburn University Campus Band Played the flute in one of Auburn University’s concert bands. Auburn University Honors College and Honors Congress Completed interdisciplinary program on Sustainability and the Modern World, as well as 18 hours of honors level courses, 4 hours of honors participation courses.

08.2011 — Anticipated Graduation 05.2016

05.2011

07.201012.2012

Present

10.2013

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05.2015

Present

05.2012

Present

05.2013

Present 05.201412.2013

08.201501.201408.2013

08.2007

06.2010

07.2015

08.2015

08.2013

05.2014

05.2012

05.2012

01.2012

08.2011

Present08.2015

Present08.2015

Consult with chapter leadership regularly for sharing best practices, exchanging ideas, enhancing collaboration, inspiration, and motivation.

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smwahlgren@gmail.com512.350.73962850 Fairway Drive 213ABirmingham, Alabama 35213

SarahWahlgren

Work ExperienceIntern Architect, Giattina Aycock Architecture Studio, Birmingham, Alabama Participated in site planning and analysis for new construction and renovation projects; created conceptual designs for signage, space planning, and building elements; developed design and research presentations.

Intern Architect, Hinson+Dagg Architects, Auburn, Alabama Created presentation drawings, site plans and diagrams of several residential projects in the Auburn area to submit for design competitions.

Architecture Intern, McKinney York Architects, Austin, Texas Built computer model of existing building for renovation, drew interior elevations for residential project, created building plans and sections for a new construction tower in downtown Austin, Texas.

Library employee, Library of Architecture, Design and Construction, Auburn, Alabama Assisted students and faculty with research and coordinating materials for classes.

Honors and Awards Frank J. Sindelar Scholarship in Architecture Awarded based on academic excellence to students planning to study abroad.

College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture James Freeland Reeves Memorial Scholarship Awarded based on academic excellence in the School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture.

Recipient of Studio Book Award Awarded based first-year studio achievement. Honors College Drummond Scholarship Awarded based on academic excellence in the Honors College. Auburn University Heritage Scholarship Awarded based on high school grades and involvement.

Key Skills

Pencil Rendering, Watercolor, Marker, Pen

ReferencesChristian Dagg, Associate Professor, AIAS Faculty Advisor, Auburn University, 334.844.4519, daggchr@auburn.edu

Al York, Principal, McKinney York Architects, Austin, Texas, 512.476.0201, ayork@mckinneyyork.com

Present

01.2015

08.2015

10.2015

01.2015

12.2014

05.2013

05.2012

08.201507.2014

05.2012

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05.201608.2011

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Revit, AutoCAD, Google SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Office

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SarahWahlgren

1_Describe your origin story as a student leader. What prompted you to get involved? What advice would you give others who have yet to realize their potential for leadership?

Going into college, I never considered myself to be a leader. In my attempt to feel comfortable in architecture school, I sought out the older AIAS leaders at my chapter who encouraged me to get involved. Since I had moved from Texas to Alabama for college, I was incredibly homesick those first few months, so when the chapter president told me that the AIAS Fall South Quad Conference would be in San Antonio, I jumped on the opportunity to go back to Texas for the weekend. That conference changed the rest of my college career. As the only first year that attended the conference from Auburn, I relied on the upper years to introduce me to other leaders from across the South Quad. I went from feeling overwhelmed and intimidated by architecture studio to feeling accepted and motivated. By the next Monday when I was back in studio I was already starting to feel that AIAS could be an important place for myself and my friends to be confident in school. By the Spring Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina I encouraged several other friends in first year to attend with me and we all came back energetic and excited to work with our chapter. Three years later, those of us that had attended that Spring Quad Conference as first years were leading our chapter on the Executive Board. We promoted the 2015 South Quad Conference as a necessary first year experience that had impacted all of us immensely. Almost every single first year attended and Auburn brought a total of 70 members to that conference — the largest representation of any chapter.

This organization attracts people who are willing to work for the benefit of their peers. I’ve learned through AIAS how to let go of insecurities regarding putting myself out there. AIAS brings out confidence and energy in the people who seek friendship from other motivated, ambitious, and generous people. We build each other up and all of our successes are compounded. The benefit of the organization is that it is a platform to develop and create yourself as a leader in the design profession. Realizing your potential for leadership is a matter of caring for others around you and the profession that you are about to walk into. AIAS will give you back exponentially more than you put into it. Serving in AIAS removes limiting beliefs about your own potential by focusing on benefiting students, your school, and the profession. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., said it best: “Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.”

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2_ In recent years, the AIAS has increased its efforts in advocacy for architecture students on issues including but not limited to student loan debt, studio culture, intern development, leadership, technology, and diversity. What one issue do you personally find the most important? How would you make progress on this issue as an elected leader on the AIAS National Board of Directors?

Job prospects for new graduates are looking better than they have in years. AIAS can distinguish students and recent graduates as ideal candidates for positions in firms that look for a culture of our values: respect and encouragement, diversity, continuing education and service. Since the job market is on the rise, students have the opportunity to be creative in their path to the profession. Giving students the confidence and resources to pursue their own path will inform the intern development process and create a richer and more relevant profession. I am interested in continuing to develop the AIAS Design Alliance initiative to distinguish a wide variety of design firms that are outstanding places to work for graduating AIAS members. This will broaden our relationship with the profession and offer another benefit for AIAS membership.

SarahWahlgren

3_The AIAS has over 160 chapters across the U.S. and around the world, ranging in size from just a few students to hundreds. How would you use your position on the Board to better connect and engage our geographically and culturally diverse membership? What resources would you propose to better serve Chapter leaders seeking to grow their chapters and connect to other students around the world?

4_Describe one area in which you see an untapped opportunity for the AIAS to engage in a new way, either with other organizations (ASLA, AIGA, etc), with school faculty and administrators, with the profession, or with the international design community.

Expanding attendance and participation at conferences is an important first step. Our conferences (Grassroots, FORUM, and quad conferences) serve as catalysts for future communication because meeting in person with other students creates relationships in a way that Facebook groups and other technology can’t match. Relationships and human connections drive membership, participation and ultimately the impact of the national organization. As someone who has benefitted immensely from attending the conferences, but has had to sacrifice financially to do so, there is a lot to be done to make conferences more accessible, especially for leaders who need it the most but who haven’t been able to send students in a while or have lost touch with the national culture of AIAS. One step is to make parts of the conferences accessible by streaming parts of them online. This will not make up for actually attending a conference, but it can broadcast to a much larger community what goes on at conferences and give students the confidence to seek funding. The national office can also communicate better with faculty, administrators and the profession about what conferences mean to students and their schools and how to support them in their attendance.

The potential for AIAS to collaborate with other student and professional organizations is quickly becoming a reality for making ourselves and the profession stronger. Organizations such as USGBC, NOMAS, and ASLA can learn so much from each other. AIAS is incredibly strong at organizing and running conferences that instill a culture and excitement in students across the country—and soon, the world. In order to help other organizations reach their potential, we need to invite them to attend Grassroots and FORUM to both learn from the AIAS and teach us about what they do best. The AIAS can also consider sending delegations to other student conferences. Next year, I’d like to see a panel at FORUM, with leaders from USGBC, NOMAS, ASLA represented. NOMAS leads and organizes design competitions and conferences of their own. Individually, many AIAS members are also members of NOMAS and collaborate in events and leadership at a chapter level. Nationally, we can learn from their example and look to NOMAS to help us with design competitions and other events.

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AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS CANDIDATE CONTACT INFORMATION FORM Candidate contact information will only be used by the Elections Committee to communicate elections-related information. If provided, social media handles will be shared when candidates are posted publicly on AIAS website and social media. Name (as preferred):________________________________________ Chapter:__________________________________________________ Chapter Leadership Position (if any):___________________________ Email Address:_____________________________________________ Mobile Phone Number:______________________________________ Social Media Account Handles (optional):

o Facebook:__________________________________________

o Twitter: @__________________________________________

o Instagram:_________________________________________

o Other:____________________________________________

Sarah Wahlgren

Auburn University

South Quadrant Director 2015 – 2016Chapter President 2014 – 2015

smwahlgren@gmail.com

512.350.7396

Sarah Wahlgren

sarahwahlgren22

sarah_wahlgren

Snapchat: sarahwahlgren

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SarahWahlgren

60th National AIAS President

South Quadrant Director 2015-2016