In a sunlit studio at the FAMU School of Architecture and Engineering Technology, students gathered last week not for a design critique, but for a roadmap to their future.
The National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) visited the campus to introduce its professional development program, an initiative designed to forge direct connections between students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the often-insular world of architecture.
Anzilla Gilmore, NOMA, AIA, and Ricardo Maga Rojas, NOMA, AIA Associate, presented a detailed breakdown of the program’s structure, laying out a clear path from academic preparation to entry-level employment. For many students, the presentation offered a rare glimpse into the practical steps needed to launch a career.
“This gives our students a much stronger understanding of how to prepare and make the most of this opportunity,” said a faculty member in attendance. “It’s about demystifying the profession.”
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Architecture students pack the room, to learn about career opportunities. |
The NOMA Professional Development Program was created in 2020 to address a persistent disconnect. While HBCUs have long been incubators of talent and leadership in design, the architecture profession has remained one of the least diverse fields in the United States. The program seeks to bridge that gap, acting as a dedicated pipeline.
Its results so far are quantifiable: in just a few years, it has connected over 500 students from HBCUs with more than 40 architecture firms and hundreds of professionals across the country.
The program operates on three core pillars: connecting academic programs with leading firms; supporting students through seminars and workshops to secure positions; and building a lasting community of architects who guide students through their early careers.
For students like Isaiah Lee, a FAMU student who interned at the global infrastructure firm AECOM, the program’s impact has been profound.
“Participating in the HBCU Professional Development Program was a transformative and enriching experience that profoundly impacted my personal and professional growth,” Mr. Lee said. “This program, dedicated to fostering the talents of Historically Black Colleges and Universities students, offered a unique blend of mentorship, skill development, and networking opportunities that I found immensely valuable.”
The visit underscores a broader movement within design professions to prioritize equity and inclusion not as abstract goals, but as operational mandates. By focusing on access, preparation, and connection, advocates like NOMA argue that the future of the built environment depends on embracing a wider range of perspectives.
“It ensures that the future of the profession reflects a wide range of experiences and contributions,” Ms. Gilmore told the students. “You are not just the future of this field—you are an essential part of it.”