This is a two-part course for architects in Buffalo and Western New York. The program is structured around three presentations about effective mentorship from key leaders on the area of mentorship for emerging professionals, architecture students and prospective architecture students. After presentations from each speaker, the program will conclude with a panel discussion led by Kelly Hayes McAlonie. Participants will learn about the AIA Equitable Practice Guides, the UB Architecture Mentoring Program, and the experiences of each of the presenters in developing mentoring programs and best practices in their respective organizations.
Cost $15
Preregistration required
2.5 AIA Learning Units available
Hosted by:
AIA Buffalo/WNY Diversity Committee
University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning
Sponsored by:
Tremco Roofing & Building Maintenance
Foit-Albert Associates
Watts Architecture & Engineering
AIA Buffalo/WNY
The Construction Exchange of Buffalo & WNY
Program Description
The first presentation will be by Dr. Luis Colón, A. Conger Goodyear Professor of Chemistry and Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence in the College of Arts and Sciences, who will speak about his experiences in mentoring practices in the STEM fields. He will discuss the “do’s and don’t’s” of mentoring from the mentor’s perspective, overlaid in his knowledge of a broader mentoring landscape and sharing of the latest methodologies and best practices. Dr. Colon was named by President Barack Obama in 2015 as a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.
Presentation two will be by Lori Brown, FAIA, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Syracuse University, and founder of ArchiteXX, a women and architecture group in New York City. This group seeks to raise the awareness of women in architecture, create support and mentoring networks and create design actions broadening the exposure of architecture out in the world.
The third presentation will be by Brandon Baxter, emerging professional currently employed by the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority, about the value of mentorship from the perspective of a mentee. Mr. Baxter will discuss his experience in both a formal and informal mentor/mentee relationship and the impacts this has had on his career advancement. He will also address effective strategies to interact with mentees from the mentee perspective.
After a brief break, all three speakers will then join the moderator, Kelly Hayes McAlonie, FAIA for an open panel discussion to further explore the topic of mentorship in the architectural profession.
This program addresses the different ways that formal and informal mentoring takes place throughout the career of an architect, and the value of mentoring in professional development. It also addresses the role of professionals in mentorship of prospective and current architecture students to ultimately enter the profession. Participants will learn about the process of identifying the needs of a mentee, recognizing implicit bias as a mentor, and the roles of both mentors and sponsors from both a personal and firm/corporate perspective. Participants will also learn about the vital role of mentorship in the workplace, and how it helps to diversify and build inclusiveness, improve overall company culture and ultimately the function and work of the practice.