WHO WE ARE

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The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) is an independent, nonprofit, student-run organization dedicated to advancing leadership, design, and service among architecture students. It is the primary organization for architecture students and, since 1956, has played a vital role in the architecture education and profession nationwide. AIAS members get the very best information, advocacy, education, and internship opportunities that exist for architecture students.

 

As a local chapter, we host a number of events each month that give members the skills, resources, and networks needed to succeed. These include tutorials, workshops, firm tours, social mixers, game nights, competitions, and more. We attend several national AIAS conferences each year and, through fundraising, are work to subsidize the costs of attending for as many members as possible. 

 

A unique aspect of our chapter is that we operate several services within the NJIT College of Architecture and Design. These "by-students, for-students" services are another way we are able to breed a culture of leadership in our school and provide great quality services to fellow students at a low cost.

 

Our work within the school and around Newark has been recognized in the form of several national and local awards. We won the 2016 AGA "Can You Dip It?" Video Showdown, have been featured on the covers of nationally-distributed magazines such as AIAS CRIT, and were most recently named 2016-2017 Organization Of The Year by NJIT.

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WHAT WE DO

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WE PROMOTE EXCELLENCE IN ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION, AND TRAINING:

Architectural practice is constantly evolving. A large part of that evolution happens in schools. A pedagogy that promotes experimentation and exploration above all. AIAS members understand their role in the profession as leaders. Not the future of the profession but the now. Programs like Freedom by Design, CRIT and Grassroots mentorship empower students to own that role.

 

WE FOSTER AN APPRECIATION OF ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN AND RELATED DISCIPLINES:

Our annual gathering FORUM and regional Quad Conferences, provide students with the opportunity to learn about the issues facing our world, to meet students and professionals with common interests, and to interact with some of today’s leading architects and designers.

 

WE ENRICH COMMUNITIES IN A SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION:

Through the Freedom by Design™ program and other community outreach, we are empower our members and students as a whole to be good citizens on their campuses and in their communities.

 

WE ORGANIZE STUDENTS AND COMBINE THEIR EFFORTS TO ADVANCE THE ART AND POLICY OF ARCHITECTURE:

We are the sole student voice in the collateral discussion and decision making process that include The American Institute of Architects (AIA), The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), The National Council of Architecture Registration Boards (NCARB) and The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

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