September 25, 2020
Alumni launch campaign aimed at assisting underrepresented architecture students
![A faculty member instructs an architecture student as he sits at his drawing table.](https://arts.psu.edu/assets/uploads/news/_860xAUTO_fit_center-center_80_none/arch_2009_apgfund.jpg)
These burdens affect many students but fall hardest on those who are financially disadvantaged due to generations of systemic oppression.” — Melanie RayThe cost of out-of-pocket material and supply expenses for first-year architecture students is around $600. With a fundraising goal of $18,600, the group hopes to fund these material costs for architecture students with demonstrated financial need which will help to maintain a diverse student body in the architecture program. “This is an ambitious goal, but we are hoping to use the current momentum for change to make an immediate and practical impact,” said Matthew Graham, a project architect with Cannon Design who is the secretary-treasurer of the Penn State Architecture Alumni Group and a 2012 alumnus. “If we exceed this initial goal, we hope to contribute the surplus money toward a general materials resource fund, which will be available to offset material costs for students with demonstrated financial need now and in the future. The campaign is the result the recently established Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Task Force within the Architecture Alumni group, which has been formed to identify areas in which alumni can directly improve diversity, inclusion and equity in the B.Arch. program. The task force is broken into three groups that are tasked with exploring pro-equity practices related to architecture student affordability, reaching underrepresented students including improving K-12 relationships with diverse high school populations and improving studio culture. “Building an exceptional professional program in architecture that educates future leaders to make a difference in the profession relies on a close working relationship with alumni,” said Patricia Kucker, interim director of the Stuckeman School, teaching professor of architecture and a Penn State architecture alumna. “We are grateful for the outstanding and timely efforts of the architecture alumni group that are focused on removing barriers to student success.”
![A faculty member instructs an architecture student as he sits at his drawing table.](https://arts.psu.edu/assets/uploads/news/_680xAUTO_fit_center-center_80_none/arch_2009_apgfund.jpg)
![Professional headshot of Melanie Ray](https://arts.psu.edu/assets/uploads/news/_680xAUTO_fit_center-center_80_none/arch_2009_apg-ray-melanie.jpg)
Schools and Departments:
Department of Architecture, Stuckeman School
Unit Research:
A&A Sustainability
Unit Outreach:
Offices:
Alumni
Degrees:
Architecture, B.Arch.
Architecture Clusters:
Sustainability (SUS)