Emerging Professionals
AIA New Mexico fosters collaboration, professional growth, and meaning among emerging professionals - from students to Young Architects. We provide multiple opportunities for young professionals to enjoy being part of the profession.
Young Architects Forum
The Young Architect's Forum (YAF) is a program of the American Institute of Architects and the College of Fellows (COF) and is organized to address issues of particular importance to recently licensed architects, within 10 years after licensure. YAF is an outgrowth of a 1989 AIA Grassroots program. The issues raised and potential benefits visualized at that meeting led to the 1991 formation of a national YAF advisory committee to encourage the development of national and regional programs of interest to young architects and the creation of YAF groups within local chapters.
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The New Mexico YAF is chartered by the state component. We have taken into consideration the small size of the populace of NM by including all emerging professionals, unregistered architects, Associate AIA and AIAS members. We focus on developing leadership, fellowship and mentorship.
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We feel that the biggest challenge now is the economy. Young Architects are discouraged in their development of critical skills for the profession and frustrated with job searches for those who are unemployed or newly graduated. We are here to engage and provide hope for these emerging professionals.
Young Architects Forum Director
Associate Director
Diana Duran
NM Architect Licensing Advisor
Evan Berger, AIA, NCARB