This year’s NCARB Scholars in Professional Practice program brought together 16 faculty and professional practice educators from architecture schools nationwide to explore innovative approaches for preparing the next generation of architects.
Throughout the three-day training event, attendees discussed current trends impacting teaching techniques through presentations from experts in both architectural practice and teaching, interactive learning sessions, and peer-to-peer collaboration. From unpacking the power of storytelling to rethinking traditional teaching models, the program focused on actionable strategies for maximizing student learning within professional practice education.
“Students need to know why what they’re learning is important—if you can answer ‘the why,’ you can capture their attention and guide them on their journey to being a lifelong learner,” said Scott Barton, AIA, IIDA, ISTE, NCARB, M.A. Ed.
During Friday’s opening session, educator and facilitator Scott Barton shared several methods to enhance learning, from fostering students’ intrinsic (rather than extrinsic) motivation to recognizing students as early professionals who bring their own knowledge and experiences to the learning environment. Friday afternoon, the group delved into the complex topic of professional ethics. Through discussions of real-world scenarios, the Scholars explored foundational resources like the AIA Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct and NCARB’s Model Rules of Conduct. This approach provided educators with a practical framework to use in their classrooms, helping them prepare students to analyze and navigate the ethical dilemmas they may encounter in the profession. Following the presentation, Scholars worked in small groups to identify ethics related learning outcomes within their courses and consider how those align with NCARB competency 15. They also brainstormed authentic assessment strategies that move beyond knowledge audits, ensuring students have opportunities to demonstrate ethical reasoning and apply their learning at the appropriate level.
On Saturday, educator and licensing advisor Brandi R. Shepard, MBA, Assoc. AIA, LEED Green Assoc., facilitated a session on using coaching to help peers and students reach their professional goals. “Many times coaching revolves around a struggle,” said Shephard, “So my goal is helping you get unstuck and take that next step as a student, as an educator.”
Each year, the Scholars have the opportunity to present a brief lesson to their peers, simulating their professional practice course in a small-group setting. Each simulated lesson is followed by a session where peers provide constructive feedback and offer tips for applying best practices learned throughout the weekend.
“As professors, we rarely get the chance to test ideas in a low-stakes setting and receive feedback from peers with the same specialization but with different expertise and approaches. This experience will directly shape my classroom in just two weeks when the school year starts,” said educator Andrew Hart, NCARB, NOMA, AIA.
NCARB’s goal is to ensure that educators teaching professional practice have access to the resources they need to help students succeed. Through the annual Scholars program, NCARB continues to foster a community of diverse professional practice educators who are propelling the future of architectural education.
Congratulations to the 2026 cohort of NCARB Scholars in Professional Practice!
- Shelby Rust Buso, JD/MELP | Adjunct Faculty, Palomar College
- Maria Di Natale, AIA, NCARB, NYSCEO | Associate Professor, New York Institute of Technology
- Matteo Ferraro, EIT, AIA, NCARB | Adjunct Instructor, New Jersey Institute of Technology
- Steven W. Fett, AIA | Full-Time Lecturer | University of Miami
- Philip M. Freeman, AIA, NCARB, LEED Green Assoc. | Professor of Architecture, Fairmont State University
- Michael Glynn, ALA, ACSA | Associate Teaching Professor and Professional Development Officer, Illinois Institute of Technology
- Andrew Hart, NCARB, NOMA, AIA | Assistant Professor of Architecture, Thomas Jefferson University
- Kate Haywood, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP | Adjunct Instructor, University of Memphis
- Philip M. Horton, Assoc. AIA | Center Director and Clinical Associate Professor, Arizona State University
- Kafil U. Jamil, AIA, NCARB | Adjunct Instructor, Prairie View A&M University
- David Lanetti | Adjunct Professor, The Catholic University of America
- Gregory A. Luhan, Ph.D., FAIA | CRS Center Director and Professor of Architecture, Texas A&M University
- Emmanuel Moreno, Assoc. SARA EDU | Interim Department Chair and Lead Faculty of Pre-Architecture, Doña Ana Community College
- Jessica Pace, AIA, NCARB | Director of Professional & Career Engagement and Full-Time Lecturer, University of Miami
- Kevin Renz | Associate Dean of Architectural + Design Studies, Endicott College
- Sameena Sitabkhan, NOMA | Adjunct Professor, Academy of Art University
