Student Mentor Squad (SMS)

Isabella ’ 24

Isabella is a fifth-year student from Irvine, California. Here at Syracuse, she has particularly enjoyed her experiences abroad in both London (Spring 2022) and Florence (Fall 2022). Most recently, she spent the summer interning at Mapos, a small firm (run by a Syracuse Architecture alum!)  in New York City where she gained experience in retail, hospitality, and residential architecture and interior design.

Here on campus, she has been a part of various clubs and organizations such as NOMAS and FADS but is primarily focused on her role as President of Women in Design. This allows her to provide her peers with interdisciplinary networking and both professional resources.  

Within Architecture, she is specifically interested in housing, sustainable architecture, and biomaterials research.

Outside of architecture, she is pursuing a minor in Management at the Whitman School of Management and loves to work with ceramics on the side. 

Duda ’24

Duda is a fifth-year student from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. She has been involved in the School of Architecture as a Peer Advisor, Student Ambassador, and a former class representative for NOMAS. On campus, Duda has worked as an International Student Advisor, a Set Designer for First Year Players, and at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications in the Film department. Not long ago, she returned from a year abroad in London and New York City (2022) and had the opportunity to intern for the past two summers at Aires Mateus in Lisbon, Portugal, and most recently at LSM in New York City. Outside of school, Duda loves to watch old independent films, learn new languages, and create recipes in her kitchen.

Caroline ’24

Caroline is a fifth-year student from Eagleville, PA. During her time at Syracuse, she has been involved in Student Ambassadors, Peer Advisors, and Women In Design. Caroline had the privilege of studying in Florence (Spring 2022) and NYC (Fall 2022). While she was studying in NYC, she participated in the internship program and had the opportunity to intern for Mattaforma. It was a wonderful way to gain experience in sustainable architecture practices. She valued her time abroad and encourages other students to take advantage of the opportunities offered. Caroline has also previously worked as an intern at BartonPartners, a multi-disciplinary design firm located in Norristown, PA. In her free time, Caroline enjoys making art, taking film photography, and staying active.

Laura ’24

Laura is a fifth-year architecture student from Owenton, Kentucky, a rural town in between Louisville, Lexington, and Cincinnati. She is also a Renee Crown Honors student. She participated in both the New York City and Florence Abroad programs. In New York, Laura interned at Kohn Pedersen Fox throughout the semester and the following summer, an experience she describes as incredibly valuable and eye-opening. At KPF she gained experience in 3D printing and advanced Rhino techniques as she worked on projects ranging from urban planning to façade design. She also gained valuable experience in working on large projects for an international corporation. This summer and throughout the Fall semester, Laura is interning for Caddrillion, an AV Drafting and Engineering company where she uses AutoCAD to create drawings of audio visual equipment installations for various clients. Laura’s work experience has led her to the realization that she wants to take the design process and methodology of architectural practice and apply it to a fine arts career. In her free time, Laura loves cooking for her friends, going to concerts, exploring local events, and collecting vinyl records.

Max ’24

Max is a fifth-year student from Weston, Massachusetts. Recently he returned to Syracuse from his study abroad semesters in London followed by Florence. On campus he is part of the Renee Crown Honors Program, and within the School of Architecture he is a member of the Magazine Club and is a UGA for Representation II. The past several summers Max interned at Tsoi Kobus Design in Boston, where he worked on a variety of healthcare and life sciences projects. His hobbies include running, biking, and sailing. He is also an avid Nordic Skier in the winter months and enjoys the occasional Alpine Ski trip.

Noah ’24

Noah is a fifth-year architecture student from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Noah has been
involved in multiple parts of the school. In his freshman year, he co-coordinated the Peer Advising Program with Kyle Kalmar. Noah has been an architecture ambassador, and a member of the Magazine Club. He has always had an interest in architecture publications leading to him working in the King + King library his first three years of school and has worked as an assistant in the SoA Enrollment Management Office.

In previous summers, Noah was a teaching assistant for the Syracuse Architecture Summer College and worked for the architecture office New Affiliates designing exhibitions. In his time abroad, he studied in London and Florence. This allowed Noah to explore his interests in visual culture. Outside of school, Noah likes collecting art/architecture books, photography, and running.

Crystal ’24

Crystal is a fifth-year architecture student from Hudson, New Hampshire. During her time at Syracuse, she has been involved in Architecture Ambassadors and Peer Advisors as both an advisor and as a Creative Team Lead. She also works at the Slocum Supply store which she views as a great opportunity to meet and talk with new people each day. In 2022 she studied abroad in Florence in the Spring semester and in NYC in the Fall semester. It was in NYC where she had the pleasure of interning at Bureau V Architecture, an LGBTQ owned firm whose core missions are to support queer designers and push the boundaries of architecture. This internship continued into the summer and proved to be an amazing learning experience for her. Outside of architecture she is pursuing a minor in Medieval and Renaissance History. Crystal also enjoys drawing, painting, and having picnics in the park during her free time.

Nikita ’24

Nikita is a fifth-year architecture student from Skillman, New Jersey. Since her freshman year she has been involved in Peer Advising, both as an Advisor and as a Creative Team Lead, and in NOMAS as former Treasurer and current Membership Chair. Outside of Slocum, they are pursuing a minor in Environment and Society through the Geology department and work part-time for the Student Engagement office.

In their Spring 2022 semester, she had the opportunity to study abroad in London and went on to NYC in the fall, where they were the program’s social media manager. Over the past year, she has interned at Joshua Zinder Architecture + Design, Workshop/APD, and Studio Hillier. When she has free time, Nikita loves to spend time with their friends, try new recipes, and binge movies!

Alexandra ’24

Alexandra is a fifth-year architecture student from Rochester Hills, Michigan. Her family is from Montreal, Quebec, so she is a native French speaker. Alexandra is involved in many organizations on campus such as AIAS, Architecture Ambassadors, Women in Design, and Alpha Rho Chi, the gender inclusive professional fraternity for architecture and the allied arts. She acts as the social media coordinator for the Peer Advising program. Additionally, Alexandra works as a research intern for Dr. Sharifi, a professor on campus whose research focuses on deep energy retrofitting and Passive House. In 2022, she studied abroad in London during the spring semester and in Florence in the fall. Outside of architecture, Alexandra is a part of the Renee Crown Honors Program and has a minor in Sustainable Construction from SUNY ESF. The past few summers, Alexandra has interned at many firms including Integrated Design Studio Troy, and Studio Detroit. In her free time, she loves to crochet, swim, read, and travel.

Sofia ’24

Sofia (they/them) is a fifth-year architecture student with a minor in Political Science. As a McNair Scholar (2022-24), and SOURCE Fellow (2023-24), they are pursuing the research project “Defining the Self-Built Landscape of Mexico City” with SOURCE & Directed Research Faculty Advisor Edgar Rodriguez, Assistant Professor and McNair Faculty Advisor Diana Jaramillo, AIA, ESF Director of Facilities. 

During their time as a Peer Advisor and NOMAS Syracuse Chapter Executive Board member, they have fostered a welcoming community for underclassmen. They have served NOMAS in a variety of positions, planning and executing an array of cultural events. With years of experience advocating for students within the School of Architecture, they have worked to create a space for students to voice their concerns and ideas to the student body, faculty, and administration. 

Recently, Sofia has been involved in work which brings their Slocum Hall interests into real-world action. They have worked at the Central New York Regional Market Authority as an Administrative Assistant for two years, working Market weekends and designing for the Market’s Revitalization Project in Winter-Spring 2023. As the Summer 2022 Bero-Howk Intern for Bero Architecture and the Landmark Society, they assisted in writing grants for historic preservation projects and documenting materials for the Thomas W. Boyde Jr. archival project. Outside of academia and advocacy work, Sofia is an avid reader, sketch artist, amateur cook, and devoted friend. 

Ben ’24

Ben is a fifth-year architecture student from Maplewood New Jersey. In his time at Syracuse, Ben has tried to keep a diverse schedule and involve himself in things both inside and outside the SOA. In his first years he was involved as a peer advisor and led tours for prospective students. He is a founding member of Alpha Rho Chi Skips Chapter, the architecture and allied arts professional fraternity on campus, and previously held the position as Professional chair. Outside of the SOA Ben has been a designer and writer for the Outcrowd, a queer based magazine on campus, an avid member of the College Democrats and Students for Biden.

Ben participated in two of the global programs Syracuse offers. Spring 2022 he was in London and then Fall 2022 in Florence. He thoroughly enjoyed this experience as he found a wonderful balance between travel and schoolwork. Over the past couple summers Ben has interned at Firms in New York City and New Jersey, Handel Architects and Rosen Kelly Conway Architects. Before working in architecture, his regular after school job was in a bakery in his hometown, so he still works hard to continue his baking and cooking skills. Outside of school, Ben’s interests lie in hiking, politics, drawing, reading and knitting.

Danny ’24

Danny is a fifth-year student from Lafayette Hill, PA, a suburban town just outside of Philadelphia. He is also a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program, and he is pursuing a Business Minor in the Whitman School of Management. During his time at the School of Architecture, Danny has been involved in Peer Advisors, Student Ambassadors, SU Fashion and Design Society’s Set Design Team, and APX: the national professional gender-inclusive fraternity for architecture and the allied arts. Danny has had the privilege to study in both London (Spring 2022) and Florence (Fall 2022) through the Global Study Program, as well as take part in the NYC Summer Program (Summer 2022), during which he interned with Aanda Architects. Additionally, Danny has worked as an architectural intern for Mancini Duffy in NYC, and as a construction intern for L2i Construction in Pennsylvania. Danny is particularly passionate about electronic music, residential interiors, set design, and film.

Allison ’24

Allison Howard is a fifth-year student from Greenville, South Carolina. Within the School of Architecture, she has been involved as a Peer Advisor, Architecture Ambassador, and Committee Member of Future Designers for Syracuse. Between semesters of studying abroad in London and Florence, Allison participated in the NYC Summer Internship Program, working with Future Expansion Architects in Brooklyn. She has also collaborated with SOURCE and Professor Joseph Godlewski as a research assistant. Outside of architecture, she is pursuing a minor in sociology, and works as a resident advisor in freshman housing. In her free time, Allison enjoys sketching people and buildings, hiking, and cooking.

Kyle ’24

Kyle is a fifth-year architecture student from Fort Collins, Colorado. In his time at Syracuse Architecture, he has led the Peer Advising Program as Co-Coordinator, Alpha Rho Chi, the professional fraternity for architecture and design, as President, and is currently assisting in teaching Representations I as a UPA. Additionally, he studied at the NYC Fisher Center and the Syracuse Florence Center, where he greatly enjoyed a homestay with two Italian architects. Following his NYC semester studio and working as a Research Assistant for Professor Yutaka Sho, Kyle intends to pursue a career in urban planning and design, focused on people-first, environmental and urban design. He has since completed two architectural internships in NYC at the urban research non-profit, Institute for Public Architecture, and a small practice working on educational and exhibition projects, studioSUMO. In his time off, Kyle enjoys hiking, camping, visiting a new museum, and trying out a new coffee shop. He looks forward to continuing to support his fellow colleagues at the School of Architecture as a Student Mentor!

Cindy ’24

Cindy is a fifth-year student from Beijing, China. She has been involved in several School of Architecture organizations such as Peer Advisor, Architecture Ambassador, IMS, and the photographer team of the Social Media Committee. She has also been a teaching assistant of the Introduction to Architecture and Architecture Practice course in China during the pandemic. Cindy participated in study abroad programs in Florence and London and highly recommended those two cities to other students deciding where to go. In the past summer, she has interned at Studio Link-Arc in New York City. Outside of architecture, she is passionate about experimental theater and interested in crochet, ceramics, badminton, swimming, cooking, and traveling.

Lucas ’24

Lucas is a fifth-year student from Guangzhou, China. Within the school of architecture, he has taken on the role of a teaching assistant for the 2023 summer college program and the 2022 fall visiting crit semester. Additionally, Lucas serves as a research intern for Professor Daekwon Park, whose research focuses on adaptive joint studies. Since his junior year, he has also been working in the King+King Library and Slocum Plot Room. Beyond his architectural pursuits, Lucas is very interested in photography, traveling, and exploring various types of coffee.

Isaac ’24

I’m a fifth-year from Kenton, Ohio recently returned from abroad in our London and Florence programs. In the School of Architecture I’ve been involved in peer advising, ambassadors, and during a previous summer TA’d for the SOA Summer College Program, on campus I’m a part of the Club Men’s Soccer team and serve as a training player for the Syracuse’ NCAA Women’s Soccer Team. Over the course of the previous four years I’ve participated in a few design build projects with past and current faculty members including the 2021 Ragdale Ring Competition with Almost Studio and the inaugural Bethel Woods Art & Architecture festival with a team from the SOA. I enjoy cooking, practicing fine arts, and following football (soccer) in my free time.

Romi ’24

Romi is a fifth-year architecture student from Winnetka, IL. On campus, Romi has been involved in multiple clubs and organizations. From starting a Magazine Club with her fellow peers her freshman year, to co-coordinating the peer advising program her fifth year, Romi loves to stay involved and connected with the school of architecture. After returning from her abroad experience in London and Florence, Romi worked as a UGA in the school of architecture in courses such as Representation II and a studio for students pursuing a minor in architecture.

Outside of school, Romi is continuously exploring how her skills can be applied to different scales of architecture. Romi has interned at Ringo Studio; an experiential retail design firm, where she had the opportunity to take part in multiple design development phases. Romi’s experience at Ringo Studio led her to her next internship at Studio Mellone; an interior design firm focusing on creating intricate and layered spaces. These professional experiences have allowed Romi to continue to want to explore the intersection between architecture and experiential interiors.

In her free time, outside of the world of architecture, Romi likes to draw, flip through design magazines, and go for long walks until she finds a new trendy coffee shop!

Arjun ’24

Arjun Patel is a Fifth Year Student from San Francisco, California. He participated in both the NYC and Florence Study Abroad Program and can recommend fun, local places and activities to experience. On campus, Arjun was the Founding Treasurer of the Architecture and Allied Arts Fraternity, Alpha Rho Chi, and continues to be a founding member of the organization today. He was also the Programs Co-Chair of the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students and enjoyed being a part of both student organizations on campus.

During the previous summers, Arjun worked for INC Architecture & Design based in NYC and is also the Project Coordinator for a non-profit organization, The deGraffenried Foundation. He is interested in luxury, residential and hospitality design with hopes of using his degree in Architecture to become a Real Estate Developer. Outside of the university, Arjun loves to sketch, enjoy outdoor activities, and support his favorite Premiere League football team, Liverpool F.C.

Karl ’24

Karl is a fifth-year student from Horsham, Pennsylvania. He studied in both the Florence and New York City abroad programs. In New York City, Karl was a part of the internship program and worked for the firm Bureau V in Brooklyn. He has spent his past summers working an internship in Philadelphia and for his father’s landscaping company. Outside of architecture, Karl is interested in film photography, painting, sculpture, and automotive restoration. He is currently restoring a 1966 mustang in his time off between semesters and work.

Jediel ’24

Jediel is a fifth-year at the Syracuse University School of Architecture. Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and having lived in Bahrain before coming to the United States for college, he is no stranger to experiencing cultural changes and loves meeting people worldwide! He is currently an honors student also pursuing a minor in real estate. Jediel enjoys taking long leisurely walks around campus during his free time as well as hiking and reading!

 Olivia ’24

Olivia is a fifth-year architecture student from Birmingham, Alabama. Throughout her years as a Syracuse Architecture student, she has been involved in many clubs and organizations such as the Syracuse AIAS chapter, the Future Designers for Syracuse, Alpha Rho Chi(a professional fraternity for architecture and the allied arts), and an Architecture Ambassador.  Olivia took part in the Florence abroad program in the Spring of 2022 and took part in the London abroad program for the Fall 2022 semester. She has spent her past few summers getting professional experience through working as an intern for architecture firms, as well as volunteering as an art instructor for her local middle school. Outside of architecture, Olivia enjoys drawing comics, playing guitar, running, going on hikes, snowboarding, and keeping up with the most recently released A24 films.

Grace ’24

Grace is a fifth-year student from Phoenix, Arizona. She is part of the Renée Crown Honors Program and currently trying to switch her minor over from sociology to disability studies. (It’s never too late! hopefully…) She’s been a Peer Advisor, Creative Team Member (for Peer Advisors), Architecture Ambassador, and part of the Design team and Design Chair for NOMAS. She studied in NYC and Florence and would highly recommend both programs. Grace is currently working part-time at DWL Architects, which is a firm focused on public-use and government projects such as Courthouses, Fire Stations, Stadiums, Healthcare Facilities, Airports, Public Transit, and Libraries. She has worked with the firm for two summers and last winter break, and this extended internship experience has lent additional insight into project and firm management. Grace’s personal interests lie in Universal/Accessible Design, Data Visualization, and Animation. Cheers!

Maya Angela ’24

Maya is a fifth year architecture student from Reading, Pennsylvania. She is a member of the Renée Crown Honors Program and Communications Chair for NOMAS. She studied abroad in New York City, where she was able to intern at Lehman Smith McLeish and learn about the construction process within architecture. She also studied abroad in Florence, where she enjoyed traveling all over Italy. She was a TA for the Pre-College Summer Program this past summer, and will be a UPA for first year studio this fall. Maya also currently works under Professor Nina Sharifi, where she has helped research and design retrofit projects and experimental material applications. In her free time, Maya enjoys exploring thrift stores and antique shops, playing video games, and doing escape rooms.