NOMAS Symposium

Chyanne had the pleasure of representing the Women in Architecture panel for the National Organization for Minority Architecture Students (NOMAs) Design + the Future Symposium at at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on February 10. The panel was intended to focus on the experiences of being a woman in the workplace and what growing architects can do to create more equality in architecture in the future.

Chyanne alongside panel members Tiara Hughes, middle, works at SOM and Angela King, right, (NOMAS advisor and Project Manager at Facilities & Services at UIUC).

The conversation looked to celebrate  positive changes that have taken place in the industry such as growing numbers of women in the profession, and shared experiences earning respect in the construction field. It also took a look at some of the challenges women face such as balancing family, pay equality, and upward mobility.  Questions from the group helped men and women in the room discuss ways to better communicate.  With the #metoo movement, the conversation was able to highlight areas where women still have a lot of room to grow.

We really appreciated this opportunity to empower minority and female students to seek leadership roles and keep improving the culture for women in the workplace.