Scholarship Recipients

The California Architecture Foundation (CAF) is dedicated to empowering exceptional students in California who require financial aid to pursue their architectural education. Through our scholarship programs, we strive to make a meaningful impact to deserving students on their academic journey.

With heartfelt gratitude, CAF acknowledges the generous support and dedication of our scholarship benefactors. Please join them in supporting aspiring architects by making a donation to CAF. Your support is instrumental in sustaining CAF’s existing scholarships and expanding our impact on the next generation.

Founded by AIA California’s Healthcare Facilities Forum Committee in memory of their colleague, the Robert J. Kain Healthcare Design Education Scholarship, known as The Kain Scholarship, strives to encourage and support architecture students interested in pursuing a career in the design and delivery of hospitals and healing environments. With forces that continually shift and improve healthcare delivery, this scholarship opportunity supports the importance of developing the next generation of architects to create the innovative design and delivery needs of tomorrow’s healthcare facilities.

“Each recipient is a testament to the Kain Scholarship’s recognition that architects have a crucial role to play in shaping the future of healthcare by creating healing environments that promote wellness, compassion, and innovation,” said AIA California President Scott Gaudineer, AIA.

Scholarship recipients receive $2,000 to help offset costs of higher education in architecture. The award can be used for qualified tuition and related expenses or to otherwise improve or enhance capacity, skill or talent in the field of healthcare architecture.

This year’s scholarship recipients are:

Jesús Guillermo Macías Franco // 

An immigrant from Mexico who overcame fourteen years of financial hardship to pursue an education in architecture, Jesús wants to “promote equitable access to healthier communities.”

Heather Leighton // 

Heather brings keen insights into removing barriers to accessibility and inclusion based on her experience circumventing health facilities after an injury left her body paralyze. She is interested in making “architecture of shared moments.”

Jennifer Muganza // 

Jennifer, a  young woman from the Democratic Republic of Congo who speaks Swahili, Lingala, French, and English, dreams of providing environments that save lives and hopes to “take part in the progress of African healthcare facilities.”

Awarded to designers in pursuit of licensure as architects, who have already demonstrated achievement at this early-career stage, the fund reimburses recipients for fees expended for the Architect Registration Examination and related expenses.

 “Licensure, a fundamental commitment to achieving excellence in the field, is incredibly important for both individual practitioners themselves and the profession at large,” said Paul W. Welch., Jr. who established the fund and led the American Institute of Architects California as its Executive Vice President for 37 years. “I am proud to support this group of talented and determined scholarship recipients who are driven to further their expertise in the bedrock of the practicing architect. Each demonstrates strong capabilities.”

The 2023 Paul W. Welch, Jr. ARE Scholarship awards jury was composed of:

Sylvia Kwan, FAIA LEED AP NCARB- Principal, DLR Group|Kwan Henmi
Michael Hricak, FAIA LEED-AP – Adjunct Associate Professor, USC
Mandy Freeland, AIA NOMA – CEO & Principal, Mandy Freeland, Architect, Inc.; VP AIA CA Academy of Emerging Professionals
Paul W. Welch, Hon. AIA – Founder of the Paul W. Welch Jr. ARE Scholarship
Chester Widom, FAIA – Founding Partner WWCOT, California State Architect 2011-2018

Recipients receive reimbursement of:

• NCARB and CAB fees to establish records
• The cost of passing each division of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) and the California Supplemental Exam. Proof of passing must be submitted along with a request for reimbursement. Funds can be applied to previously passed divisions.
• Initial License Fee and certificate from CAB

This year’s scholarship recipients along with notes from the jury are:

Jamilla Afandi, Assoc. AIA // San Francisco State University

Jamilla is exactly the type of involved, committed professional that should be licensed as an architect.  Her work, volunteerism, and passion for architecture is what sets her apart from others.  Even with all of her extra-curricular activities, her teamwork in community-focused projects at her firm is exemplary.

Burak Celik, Assoc. AIA // HDR Inc.

The jury was impressed with Burak’s essay in which he discussed how he applied the principles of sustainability in his work; it wasn’t just theoretical. His work with HDR is impressive, and his design thinking shows through in the competitions and school projects he included in his submittal.

Victoria Dam, Assoc. AIA // Gensler

Victoria is clearly a future leader of our field, no question. She exhibits so much commitment to both architecture and building science, which in itself demonstrates an understanding of where our practice needs to go.  She seems set on solving our climate change problems, and we need more architects like her. She is involved in Student and Associate activities.

Alyssa Kinney, Assoc. AIA //

She is motivated. Alyssa takes on a leadership role both inside and outside of the work environment. She has a strong portfolio, excellence in communication—both verbally and graphically—and is consistent with her commitment in leadership and continuing education. What sets her portfolio apart from others is the desire to be understood: she knows that ideas need to be explained.

Violet Li, Assoc. AIA //

Violet’s work is beautiful, from her sketches to the professional projects she was involved in.  She is one of the rare practitioners who seem to be able to do it all, which is a great talent to have. Her navigating to licensure is focused. Her starting of the ARE process quickly is a very good example.

Mona Nahm, Assoc. AIA //

Her pursuit of difficult tests to obtain her WELL, LEED and Living Future accreditations, demonstrates that she is truly committed to a career that focuses on the health of the planet.  Nothing is as important for the next generation of architects. Her work experience is strong, and she is actively engaged in JEDI efforts and collateral organizations. An enthusiastic YES.

Taskin Ege Yener, Assoc. AIA //

The jury appreciates Taskin’s commitment to the field and to his company, which demonstrates that he has a future architect with excellent principles. He’s a workhorse not a show horse: an enthusiastic yes!

Manuel Zermeno, Assoc. AIA //

Manuel is qualified not only to finish his AREs but to get into practice. He demonstrates such an understanding of the architect’s role, so early in his path to licensure, he will be a terrific addition to our profession. He holds a commitment to the value of architects, being the leader of a team, and the design process. Fifty percent of his ARE is already done.

The Widom Architectural Education Scholarship provides opportunities to community college students from California who are transferring from Community Colleges to accredited architectural schools.

“I am delighted that these eight students, strongly committed to their studies and already demonstrating an aptitude for design, practice, and community building, which architecture entails, are 2023 scholarship recipients,” noted Chester Widom, FAIA, founder of the fund and California State Architect from 2011 through 2018. “Each year, participating in the jury adjudicating these awards, reminds me of the capacity of design as a change agent in individual lives.”

The 2023 Widom Architectural Education Scholarship jury was composed of:

Sylvia Kwan, FAIA LEED AP NCARB- Principal, DLR Group|Kwan Henmi
Michael Hricak, FAIA LEED-AP – Adjunct Associate Professor, USC
Mandy Freeland, AIA NOMA – CEO & Principal, Mandy Freeland, Architect, Inc.; VP AIA CA Academy of Emerging Professionals
Paul W. Welch, Hon. AIA – Executive Vice-President, AIA California for 37 years, Founder of the Paul W. Welch Jr. ARE Scholarship
Chester Widom, FAIA – Founding Partner WWCOT, California State Architect 2011-2018, Founder of the Widom Scholarship

Scholarship recipients will receive up to $3,500 to help offset the costs of higher education in architecture and design. Awards can be used for qualified tuition and related expenses and/or to otherwise improve or enhance capacity, skill or talent in the field of architecture.

This year’s scholarship recipients along with notes from the jury are:

Arthur Chaldrayan // Community College: Glendale Community College | Accepted to: Woodbury University, Cal Poly Pomona

Arthur already has a strong sense of design. By working on small private projects, he is probably more ready than most to head to the next level.  At an accredited program, the jury believes he can blossom.

Maya Flores-Villagran // Community College: East Los Angeles College | Accepted to: USC, Cal Poly Pomona, Woodbury, Syracuse

Maya is truly amazing, not only in her volunteerism, but her design ideas are unique and innovative.  Quality community outreach; Strong commitment to skill development.

Onna Keller // Community College: West Valley College | Accepted to: University of California – Berkeley, Academy of Art University, Arizona State University

The jury appreciates her curiosity for architecture and landscape architecture.  Her diverse education is impressive. She discovered her love of architecture in 2020 during COVID-19 and has already accomplished much.

Grace Martinez // Community College: College of the Canyons | Accepted to: Cal Poly Pomona, Woodbury

She is talented and articulate. Her commitment to obtaining an architectural education as well as working in the field, demonstrates she deserves recognition.

Mania Minasvand // Community College: Glendale Community College | Accepted to: Woodbury University

Mania has all the credentials needed to move to her next phase of obtaining an accredited degree in architecture. She is a strong communicator with a demonstrated love for the profession

Joseph Ortiz // Community College: East Los Angeles College | Accepted to: Woodbury University

He has demonstrated that he has the initiative and ability to pursue the discipline in a rigorous, thoughtful manner. He is determined to become an architect.

Agustin Pelayo // Community College: College of the Canyons | Accepted to: Woodbury University

In the very early stage of his path to architecture, Agustin seems determined to succeed.  He began with a stint in the Navy, then continued to get his education, he is already showing proficiency in his thinking and drawing. His submittal commentary addressing the natural environment is very good.

Kelsey Vilchis // Community College: College of the Canyons | Accepted to: Cal Poly Pomona

Kelsey has a real understanding of the built environment and reasons for cultivating good design, as well as a commitment to academia and pursuing licensure. Her early job, history, not within the architectural profession, but very service-oriented, is a strength: it’s a foundation for listening to and managing client expectations.