NCARB held its seventh annual Scholars in Professional Practice program from August 7-9, at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Designed to build a strong community of professional practice educators, the three-day intensive training event brought together 16 professional practice educators from architecture programs nationwide.
As faculty teaching Professional Practice often have a widely varied background across a range of education and practice experiences, the annual program focuses on both principles of instruction and the content specific to the course. Working with expert facilitators—and expert peers—attendees explored teaching approaches that deepen student engagement, connect coursework to real-life experiences in the profession, and prepare students for licensure and leadership. Topical content focused on the interests of this year’s cohort, with focus topics being professional ethics and diverse career trajectories within the profession.
After a day of facilitated training and interactive workshops, educators delivered their own simulated lessons for mutual learning and peer-to-peer feedback, exploring opportunities to improve both the course’s content and delivery to best support learning.
Attendees also gained insights into NCARB’s current initiatives and its ongoing work to align its programs with the Competency Standard for Architects.
Congratulations to the 2025 cohort of NCARB Scholars in Professional Practice:
- Niloufar Alenjery, RA, NCARB | Special Faculty Member, Carnegie Mellon University
- Leila Ammar | Associate Professor of Practice, Iowa State University
- Garet Ammerman, AIA, NCARB | Associate Professor, University of Texas San Antonio
- Aaron Cayer, Ph.D. | Assistant Profession of Architecture, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
- John A. Doria, AIA, NCARB, CCM, LEED Green Associate, CM-Lean | Adjunct Professor, New York Institute of Technology
- Katherine Kennon, AIA | Professor of Practice, Belmont University
- Nathan Knutson, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP | Professor in Practice, University of Minnesota
- Carisima Koenig, AIA | Adjunct Associate Professor, Pratt Institute
- Jill Leckner, RA, LEED AP | Professor, University of Kentucky College of Design
- Dharmesh Patel | Department Chair, Professor of Architecture, Palm Beach State College
- Anthony J. Piermarini, AIA, CPHD | Associate Professor, Wentworth Institute of Technology
- Charles Pifer | Adjunct Lecturer, University of Arizona
- Alesa Rubendall, AIA, LEED BD+C | Assistant Teaching Professor, Associate Director of Career Services, Drexel University
- Barbara A. Sestak, FAIA | Professor, Portland State University
- Brandi R. Shepard, Assoc. AIA, CSI, CDT, LEED Green Associate | Associate Professor, Anne Arundel Community College
- Matther Snoap | Professor, School of the Art Institute of Chicago