The 2024 AIA Kentucky Scholarship (supported by matching grant funds from AIA National) was presented to four (4) deserving students at the University of Kentucky’s College of Design. Meet each of the recipients below.
AIA Kentucky Scholarship ($5,000) – Sydney Mullins
Sydney is a second-year graduate student with goals of earning a Master of Architecture degree from UK in May 2025. During this time, she will continue to work as a Teaching Assistant and part-time internship with Morris Workshop. Sydney has come to love Lexington and can envision herself pursuing architecture and licensure here after college. Although she has faced many challenges during college, such as beating epilepsy and stage 4 cancer, her goal is to use her experiences to help others succeed. Throughout her career she hopes to have a positive impact on her community through designing both new and renovated projects in Kentucky.
AIA Kentucky Scholarship ($5,000) – Megan Quish
Originally from Illinois, Megan Quish now calls Lexington, Kentucky home. She is pursuing a major in Architecture with a minor in Environmental Studies and Sustainability and a certificate in Historic Preservation at the University of Kentucky. Megan has excelled academically, earning a spot on the Dean’s List and receiving several prestigious awards, including the UK College of Design Honors – Student Excellence in Service Award and the UK Libraries Dean’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Scholarship.
Megan’s research project, A House for Aging and Home for Community, earned her the UK Libraries Dean’s Award. This project highlights the conditions that support healthy aging, emphasizing secure housing, meeting basic needs, and incorporating older individuals into intergenerational settings. The study, drawing on disciplines such as architecture, urban planning, sociology, and gerontology. It explores the challenges faced by seniors, including economic insecurity, lack of affordable healthcare and housing, and issues like isolation and ageism. The research draws inspiration from the communal qualities of the historical neighborhoods of Lexington, Kentucky.
Megan has been involved in university life through UK Undergraduate Research, Student Council, AIAS (American Institute of Architecture Students), NOMAS (National Organization of Minority Architecture Students), and UK Greenthumb. She also volunteers with the Lexington Parks Department and FoodChain, driven by her passion for community access to food and creating safe outdoor spaces. As a research assistant under School of Architecture faculty she has helped construct architectural drawings for historic buildings and researched flood remediation to develop educational resources for homeowners. Megan also serves as an undergraduate instructional assistant for the History and Theory department of the SoA, further demonstrating her commitment to education and mentorship.
As a non-traditional student, Megan’s journey has been made possible through the crucial support of scholarships, which have fueled her passion for education. This experience has instilled a strong sense of responsibility to give back to the communities that have supported her. Megan is determined to use her skills in architecture, sustainability, and historic preservation to create meaningful change, blending her love for design with her commitment to community development and environmental stewardship.
Janet Pike Scholarship ($500) – Hailey Holt
Hailey is a sophomore majoring in architecture. Currently, she studies in the College of Design at the University of Kentucky. Hailey is from Apex, North Carolina and she hopes to someday become an architect focusing on residential design in her home state. She aspires to study abroad and gain experience through internships in the near future. She also wants to pursue her education even farther and gain a master’s degree in architecture after her time at the University of Kentucky. Outside of school she enjoys trips to the beach, hiking, and swimming in her free time.
AIA East Kentucky Scholarship ($3,400) – Lydia Schneider
Lydia Schneider is currently a second-year architecture student in the College of Design at the University of Kentucky. She currently holds the officer position of secretary for the American Institute for Architecture Students. As a future designer Lydia wants to focus on the development of more equitable spaces. She wants people to be able to have a beautiful, yet accessible space to interact with. Having a parent with mobility issues, I have witnessed how most spaces/buildings are handicap accessible, but not necessarily handicap friendly. Through my studies in this program, I want to learn better ways for us to create a more favorable environment for everyone.
Congratulations and best wishes to each of these deserving recipients!
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