2017-2018 Second Vice President

Officer Reports:

Terry L. Allers, NCARB, AIA

Tell us about your main responsibilities as NCARB’s second vice president. What were some personal highlights from the year?

 

My responsibilities as second vice president included supporting President Erny with his initiatives, as well as meeting with our collaterals where several common initiatives were discussed. As part of the Executive Committee, I had the opportunity to engage in a special opportunities and risk study, which led to important discussions about increasing protection of the exam and developing new services for our members and customers. My role also included serving as the Board’s liaison to the Member Board Executives Committee.

 

As Board liaison to the Member Board Executives Committee, what have you learned from this community?

 

I was very impressed by the committee members’ engagement and dedication to the mission of NCARB and their professionalism regarding their responsibilities in each of their jurisdictions. They accomplished an amazing amount of work this year including an important partnership with our staff in developing a new system to gather feedback on the quality of Records transmitted for licensure. The opportunity to be the liaison to this committee was both insightful and personally rewarding.

 

How is NCARB working with our architectural collaterals to improve the path to licensure?

 

Throughout FY18, NCARB collaborated with a variety of related organizations to improve the licensure process. One of our key initiatives this year has been partnering with state AIA chapters to advocate for reasonable regulation in jurisdictions facing deregulation efforts.

We’ve also been working closely with the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) to understand what is being taught in professional practice courses today. Our research seeks to identify curricula requirements and its relevance and impact with respect to current and anticipated requirements for the independent practice of architecture in protecting the public health, safety, and welfare. The data collected will support the development of proposed syllabi for gaining the necessary knowledge and skills to practice architecture through academic study and practical experience as the profession of architecture evolves.

Additionally, this was our second year supporting the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) Freedom by Design program. We continue to encourage jurisdictional licensing board members to engage with local projects. And we’re working with the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) to prepare for their upcoming Accreditation Review Forum, where all the collaterals will review and discuss the criteria for NAAB accreditation. In addition, we’re working with the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) to promote diversity on our volunteer committees and licensing boards, and partnering with the ICC to highlight the role that building codes play in protecting public safety.

 

You opened your own practice in 1979, just five years after earning a license. How does being a firm owner influence your work at NCARB?

 

Our practice has included mentoring college architecture students during a summer internship experience, as well as hiring new graduates and supervising their journey through the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP™). Through our interaction with the next generation of architects, we understand the importance of education, experience, and examination for licensure and the need for appropriate rigor in order to protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare.

 

Mentoring and supervising candidates as they navigate the experience program is something you take seriously at your firm—how would you like to see NCARB’s resources for supervisors evolve in the coming years?

 

I am committed to the development of more opportunities to train AXP supervisors, including providing workshops and mini-monographs for Health, Safety, and Welfare continuing education credit. I also want to be sure to emphasize the need for all architects who have young candidates for licensure or newly licensed architects in their firms to be engaged in helping them through the early stages of their careers.

 

Why do you think it’s important to give back to the profession?

 

I was born and raised in a small town of 650 people. Both of my parents were excellent examples of giving back to their community what they had received in return. I have tried to emulate that example by being involved in my community and profession. Through volunteering, I have been blessed to have met wonderful people who have mentored me and become good friends. Ultimately, this has resulted in a relationship that has enhanced my understanding of the profession and the opportunities that can be addressed in the future.

 

What other initiatives will you focus on as NCARB’s 2018-2019 first vice president?

 

We need to maintain the momentum that has been established in the past several years and keep looking for more openings for collateral engagement, all the while being open to new opportunities. Other than mentoring and supervising candidates, I also want to focus assisting the 54 U.S. jurisdictions (55 as of FY19)  that are members of NCARB, as well as improving the circumstances for more diverse volunteers to become involved in committees and NCARB leadership. Furthermore, I look forward to the possibility of utilizing the proposed Strategic Plan in developing charges for next year’s committees.