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Architects as Leaders: AIA Western Massachusetts Pilots a Successful New Graduate Course
By Tatyana Brown, Manager, Public Policy

AIA Western Massachusetts partnered with the University of Massachusetts – Amherst to help fill a gap in graduate architecture training. The Chapter used AIA National’s Component Assistance Leadership Grant to help support a semester-long course that covered theoretical and practical frameworks of civic and professional leadership.

Kerry L. Dietz, AIA – a citizen architect, taught the course. Dietz is the owner of one of the most successful firms in the region, and a long-term leader within the AIA. She was supported by Steve Schreiber, FAIA, Professor and Director of the U.MA Architecture+Design program, also a civically engaged WMAIA board member. Highly respected special guests included citizen architects Margo Jones, AIA – current secretary of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards – and Greg Neffinger, who is now Mayor of West Springfield.

“This was one of the best classes I took as a student,” says Jason Newman, now Architectural Associate with Dietz & Company Architects, Inc. “In addition to the topics covered by the curriculum, the course increased my confidence as a young professional and provided a great transition from the classroom to the office.”

“Architects as Leaders” supported 12 graduate students and two experienced members of AIAWM who offered a unique perspective. Participants learned about local government, assessed their strengths and weaknesses, and refined their public speaking skills.

The peculiarities of government in New England have encouraged many architects to become engaged citizens, says Steve Schreiber. “Richard Swett, FAIA from New Hampshire served in the U.S. Congress. Former Massachusetts governor Francis Sargent studied architecture at MIT. Chris Walsh, AIA, our state representative, is also an architect. We expect that graduates of this course will become more involved in student, civic, and professional organizations." Lorin Starr, Executive Director of AIAWM, says the class sparked considerable interest among their colleagues throughout the region.

“As an architect who has practiced 20 years, I found the experience rewarding, challenging, and a great place to expand my leadership skills,” commented Blake Williams, AIA on his experience as a student in the class. “This course should be required in architecture schools across the country.”

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