About The AIAPrograms & Initiatives

Diversity and Inclusion > AIA Diversity Recognition Program > 2009 AIA Diversity Recognition Program

2009 AIA Diversity Recognition Program

The Diversity Recognition program recognizes architects, component chapters, and others who are actively committed to increasing diversity and inclusion within the architecture profession.

2009 AIA Diversity Recognition Program Honorees

AIA Denver Women in Design – Denver, CO

AIA Kansas City Women in Design Committee – Kansas City, MO

BRR Architecture: Diversity Committee, Support Programs, Leadership Opportunities, and Community Caring Program – Merriam, KS

BSA: Youth Programs – Boston, MA

BSA: Inclusive Networks – Boston, MA

HOK: Diversity Awareness and Inclusion Initiative – Offices Nationwide

KKE Architects: Architectural Youth Program – Minneapolis, MN

Lori A. Brown, AIA: Gendered Landscapes – Syracuse, NY (Honorable Mention)

Mehrnoosh Mojallali, AIA: The Association for Women in Architecture Group Exhibit –
Venice Beach, CA

Oscar L. Harris, FAIA: Mentor in Diversity – Atlanta, GA

PBS&J: Diverse Practice – Offices Nationwide

The Santa Barbara County High School Architectural Design Competition – Santa Barbara, CA

Additional Submissions

AIA Charlotte

AIA New York Women in Architecture Committee

Bennett Wagner & Grody Architects PC: Diverse Practice

BJAC, PA: Flexible Work Schedules

Brave Architecture: Diverse Practice

Brian Kaplan, AIA: Fiver Career Day

BSA: Travel Scholarships

Gresham, Smith, and Partners: Minority Scholarships and Recruitment

Lantz Boggio Architects, P.C.: Denver Kids, Inc.

Lantz Boggio Architects, P.C.: Flexible Work Schedules

Nandinee Phookan Architects: WBE/MBE

Newberry Campa Architects: Starfish Kenya

Patrick J. Carney, AIA: The Pink Triangle

Poltronieri Tang and Associates (PT&A): WBE

Schmidt Associates: A Unique Culture that Encourages Diversity

Self Tucker Architects: Diverse Practice

Stanley Architects and Artisans: Integrative and Collaborative Approach to Architecture

Super-Interesting!: Diverse Practice

TRO Jung/Brannen: Diverse Practice

University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning: Studio: Detroit HS

University of Washington Capital Projects Office: The Architect/Engineer Partnership Program

Heather Zidle, Assoc. AIA: Disability Awareness (coming soon!)

Submissions by this year’s award recipients were displayed at the 2009 AIA National Convention and Design Exposition in San Francisco.

2009 AIA Diversity Recognition Program Jurors

Ana Guerra, Assoc. AIA
Ana Guerra is serving a second term as the 2009 Associate Director to the AIA National Executive Committee. Additionally, she is the Southwest Regional Quality Assurance Manager for Jacobs based out of their Dallas office. In her eight years with Jacobs she has worked on a variety of public and institutional projects. Her new role allows her to share her knowledge of project management with her teammates across the state of Texas. While passionate and dedicated to the profession of architecture, her true love lies with her incredibly supportive husband and beautiful baby girl.

Renee Kemp-Rotan
Renee Kemp Rotan has held numerous high-ranking posts in Urban Design and Economic Development, serving numerous mayors in US cities. Her posts have included: the City of Birmingham, Alabama, Office of the Mayor, Director of Capital Projects, where she had oversight of a $175 million bond issue construction. There she led the master plan effort for the $50 million Railroad Reservation Park and the $90 million New Fair Park Olympic Village for Children; the City of Atlanta, Director of Economic Development, Chief of Urban Design/Urban Development; Programming Atlanta Aquarium; and Director of National Practice/Education Programs, The American Institute of Architects. She has lectured on major design issues at The Sorbonne, Paris; University of Cairo, Egypt; MIT; Cooper Hewitt National Museum of Design; FAMU; Howard University; and Columbia University, among a host of others. As a writer and contributing editor she is published in the First Encyclopedia of World Vernacular Architecture, Cambridge University Press.

Robert Outland, AIA, AICAE, LEEP AP
Robert Outland is the founding principal and majority partner of MOA ARCHITECTURE, a 27-year-old firm in Denver, Colorado. As Managing Partner, Bob has led MOA to wide recognition as one of Colorado’s most respected architectural firms and recipient of awards for quality of design and technical expertise. He is a graduate of Texas Tech University.

An enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Bob is actively involved in Native American affairs. He is the current President of the American Indian Council of Architects and Engineers. AICAE is a national organization dedicated to raising the profile and advancing the skills of American Indian architectural and engineering professionals, as well as to encouraging young American Indians to pursue careers in these fields.

Dr. Ikhlas Sabouni, Assoc. AIA
Dr. Ikhlas Sabouni earned her Ph.D. in Architecture from Rice University. She received the 2000-2001 Distinguished Professor’s Award and the 1995-1996 Creative Achievement Award from ACSA. She is currently the Dean of the School of Architecture at Prairie View A&M University and serves as the school’s liaison on AIA Houston’s 2009 Board of Directors.

Benjamin Vargas, FAIA
Benjamin Vargas is a former AIA Regional Director (2002-2005) of the Florida/Caribbean Region. During his term on the National Board he successfully lobbied for the reinstatement of the original medal for the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award and for approval of Resolution 04-2 "To Strengthen the Demographic Diversity of the Design Profession," which led to the first AIA-sponsored research on diversity in the profession. He also drafted the wording of AIA Public Policy #32: "Diversity," and led the effort to create a new AIA program recognizing exemplary practices that enhance efforts to increase diversity within the architecture profession.

Contact Us