UA ARCHITECTURE STUDENT TO HELP LEAD NATIONAL STUDENT ORGANIZATION

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Fourth-year University of Arkansas architecture student Trinity Simons sailed through two rounds of interviews and delivered three speeches in front of an audience of 1200 to win election as one of 4 students across the nation to the executive board of the American Institute of Architecture Students.

"It was good practice!" she notes. Simons will have plenty of opportunities to hone her public speaking skills in 2003-04. She will be visiting architecture departments across the southern United States in her new role as South Quadrant director of the AIAS, a student-run organization dedicated to promoting excellence in architectural education. The AIAS serves as the sole student voice in the decision making process of professional organizations such as the American Institute of Architects and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

During her tenure as 2001-02 chapter president of the AIAS at the University of Arkansas, Simons worked with her board to organize five design competitions and workshops on internship opportunities and other topics. Under her leadership, the UA chapter helped build a house for Habitat for Humanity and sent 20 students to the AIAS's FORUM conference in Pittsburgh. Simons' efforts expanded chapter membership by nearly 100 percent over the previous year.

A native of El Dorado, Simons has excelled in the rigorous coursework required for the bachelor's of architecture degree at the same time she has juggled work-study duties and extracurricular activities. She will be awarded the Sid Frier Scholarship from the School of Architecture this year in recognition of her high scholastic record.

School of Architecture Dean Jeff Shannon says "Trinity's great; great student, great promise, great personality. We're very proud of her accomplishments."

"I'm looking forward to working with the rest of the board next year to empower our membership," Simons says. "Providing networking opportunities for students will be one of my most important jobs," she adds.

Simons also will chair a national task force: "I'm hoping for studio culture, but everyone will want that one," she notes. With trips planned to architectural departments from Oklahoma to Florida next year, Simons will have plenty of opportunities to share her experience and raise awareness of the issues facing architecture students and professionals.