The Latinos in Architecture (LiA) collegiate mentorship and scholarship program, through AIA Houston and Architecture Center Houston, is a professional network provided to students intended to bridge the gap between collegiate students and professionals in the Latino architecture community. The mentorship and scholarship program matches college students pursuing a career path in architecture with a mentor that has an established career in architecture.

The LiA Mentorship and Scholarship program is open to all Latino architecture students in a NAAB-accredited undergraduate program within the Houston area. The program is for Latino students who are striving to influence the future of the built environment and the architecture profession.

The program is open to both US citizens and foreign students.

Students eligible for the mentorship and scholarship program:

• a first-fourth year undergraduate student in a NAAB-accredited architecture degree program at the University of Houston, Rice University, or Prairie View A&M University
• Students eligible for the mentorship program ONLY:
• a fifth year undergraduate or grad student in a NAAB-accredited architecture degree program at the University of Houston, Rice University, or Prairie View A&M University

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
The 2023-2024 program begins in September 2023 and concludes in May 2024.

Students must participate in the following activities to be considered for the scholarship. These activities are meant to support and complement the student’s academic career.

• Students will meet once a month with an assigned mentor during the fall and spring semesters. These meetings are meant to be an open discussion about the architecture profession and to help guide the student’s career path. These one-on-one relationships will be primarily driven by the student.
• ​Students will be asked to participate in the kick-off event and meet the mentors. Scheduled for September 13 at 7pm. Register here.
• Students will be asked to participate in a portfolio review organized by the LiA Committee.
• Students are encouraged to share and practice their portfolio presentations with their mentors.
• Students are asked to attend three LiA, AIAH, TSA or HNOMA sponsored events
• Students are asked to attend their university or college career fair.
• Students are asked to submit a PDF on a project or portfolio at the end of the Fall semester.
• Students are asked to submit a 10-minute video on a project or portfolio at the end of the Spring semester. The video should not be a recording of a class crit.

AWARDS
Scholarships will be award based on student participation in the program and their end of the semester portfolio presentations.

To participate or receive more information about the program, register here.

PAST SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

2024 Ashley Espinoza, Scholarship Recipient, Class of 2025, University of Houston
2024 Astrid Gallareta, Scholarship Recipient, Class of 2025, University of Houston
2024 Ashley Gonzlez, Scholarship Recipient, Class of 2026, University of Houston
2024 Katya Flores, Scholarship Recipient, Class of 2025, University of Houston
2024 Miguel Carrion, Scholarship Recipient, Class of 2025, University of Houston
2024 Litzy Garcia, Scholarship Recipient, Class of 2025, University of Houston
2024 Stephanie Cornejo, Class of 2025, Scholarship Recipient, University of Houston
2024 Sofia Sierra, Scholarship Recipient, Class of 2025, University of Houston
2024 Delia Almaguer, Scholarship Recipient, Class of 2027, University of Houston
2024 Monica Rivera, Scholarship Recipient, Class of 2026, University of Houston
2024 Olivia Mae Arguello, Honorable Mention, Class of 2025, University of Houston
2024 Sofia Lopez, Honorable Mention, Class of 2027, University of Houston
2024 Gissele Yanez, Honorable Mention, Class of 2026, University of Houston
2024 Simon Chiquito, Honorable Mention, Class of 2026, University of Houston
2023 Alexia Orozco - 1st Place, Class of 2026, University of Houston
2023 Diana Arias - 1st Place, Class of 2024, University of Houstson
2023 Isabella Ludena - 2nd Place, Class of 2024, University of Houstson
2023 Eriberto Luna Rojo - 3rd Place, Class of 2025, University of Houstson
2022 Stephanie Cornejo - 1st Place, Class of 2025, University of Houston
2022 Isabella Ludena, Class of 2024, University of Houston
2022 Viviana Perez - 3rd Place, Class of 2026, University of Houston
2022 Rodrigo Gallardo, 4th Place, Class of 2023, University of Houston
2020 Mariana Cano Saldana - Houston Community College
2020 Desiree Gonzalez - Houston Community College
2020 Francisco Ruiz - Houston Community College