University of Houston - College of Architecture & Design

Congratulations to Donna Kacmar, FAIA, on being awarded the title of Professor Emeritus following her retirement this spring after 26 years at the University of Houston. 🐾

A nationally recognized educator, mentor, and scholar, Kacmar helped shape generations of architects through her teaching, research, and leadership at the Hines College.

Read more about her lasting impact at https://bit.ly/4uxOkqi.

Hines College alumna Ashley Chiarelli (B.Arch. ’12, B.S. ’12, M.S. ’23) is helping shape the future of design as Associate Partner and Director of Strategy and Foresight at Kirksey Architecture, guiding organizations through complex decisions long before design begins.

“Whether your path leads to a traditional practice or somewhere nobody has mapped yet, the skills you are developing … will carry you there,” Chiarelli said.

Read this month’s Alumni Spotlight at https://bit.ly/4adRuas. 🐾

The spring 2026 issue of DIMENSION is now available! 🐾📖

"Designing What’s Next" highlights how the Hines College is rethinking the future of design education, research, and practice in response to urgent environmental, technological, and social change. This issue features faculty and student work spanning climate adaptation, post-oil futures, historic preservation, cultural sustainability, and innovative approaches to landscape and resilience.

Explore the latest issue of DIMENSION at https://bit.ly/4dPqZte.

Hear from our Hines College grads as they reflect on their time at UH and look forward to what's next. 🎓 🌟

Sowmya Mangu (M.Arch. '26) has a unique perspective on her journey: "Seven years, two degrees, and countless studio nights later, I've mastered the art of turning concepts, context, and imagination into spaces that tell a story. Graduation feels surreal, but I’m excited to step into the next chapter to design sustainable buildings, sleep normally, and call all the chaos 'character development.'"

"I am most excited to become a part of the architecture there industry and make impactful contributions to the community. I will cherish all the memories with my friends made over the past 5 years and can’t wait to create more," said Sanjana Bheri (B.Arch. '26).

For Elizabeth Peceros (M.Arch. '26), graduation represents the dreams she had as a young girl has finally come true. She said, "From making small architectural models as a child in Peru to studying architecture in the United States in a second language, graduation represents years of resilience, creativity, and hard work. After graduation, I plan to continue developing research in historic preservation and cultural sustainability while exploring new creative and professional opportunities within architecture."

Images 1-2: Sowmya Mangu
Images 3-4: Sanjana Bheri
Images 5-6: Elizabeth Peceros

Our Hines College Class of 2026 share what they'll take with them as they embark on the next chapter of their stories. 🎓 🌟

Prabhakaran Elangovan (M.Arch. '26) said, "Graduation is exciting because it marks the beginning of my journey and gives me the confidence to become a licensed architect. I’ll always remember the late nights in studio and the memories made with friends throughout my Master of Architecture journey."

For Nicole Tran (B.Arch. '26), her memories include presentations for jury and looking back to see how far she and her friends have gone, building lifelong connections. She added, "I am excited to have more free time to take care of myself and spend time with my family and friends. It is such a bittersweet moment knowing there will be no more studio, but I am so proud of myself and my friends for completing these five challenging, yet rewarding years of architecture school."

"After graduation, I’ll be traveling to Spain to experience and explore the architecture I’ve spent so many years studying," Gyssel Salinas (M.Arch. '26) shared. "After returning, I plan to begin preparing for the next step in my journey by studying for and starting my ARE exams as I work toward becoming a licensed architect."

Images 1-2: Prabhakaran Elangovan
Images 3-4: Nicole Tran
Images 5-6: Gyssel Salinas

The Hines College Class of 2026's hard work has paid off — see what they have to say about their journey. 🎓 🌟

"Upon graduating, I’m excited to spend a few months traveling before moving back home to Dallas and starting the next chapter of my career," Erada Zeynu (B.Arch. '26) said. She's excited to be done with five years in the program and getting one step closer to becoming an architect. "I'll miss the late nights in studio with friends, fueled by coffee runs and all the memories made along the way."

Siddhi Sunil Hol (M.Arch. '26) views her journey as a transformation from long studio hours and sleepless nights into something meaningful. "After graduation, I hope to continue exploring architecture that responds to climate, community, and human experience through thoughtful design," she added. "I’m especially grateful to my family for their constant support and to the amazing friends I made at University of Houston who made this journey unforgettable and helped me grow both personally and creatively."

"I am very excited to graduate and begin my journey as a designer and future architect," said Natalie Sipes (B.Arch. '26). "The University of Houston's architecture program has fundamentally changed my view on the world and how we interact with it. I am so thankful for the experience and I wouldn’t change it for the world."

Images 1-2: Erada Zeynu
Images 3-4: Siddhi Sunil Hol
Images 5-6: Natalie Sipes

Our graduation spotlights continue as Hines College grads share their future plans and favorite memories. 🎓 🌟

"My plan after graduation is to spend more time with my family and friends, travel, and focus on obtaining my architecture license," said Diego Orlando Iñiguez Aguirre (B.Arch. '26).

Thuc Tran (B.Arch. '26) leaves the College with memories of amazing classmates and friends that have made her academic journey meaningful. She added, "After graduation, I plan to keep learning and building new skills that help me grow. I've learned a lot along the way and I'm really grateful for the experience!"

Images 1-2: Diego Orlando Iñiguez Aguirre
Images 3-4: Thuc Tran

These Hines College grads have found support from studio mates and are grateful for all the memories they've made at UH. 🎓 🌟

"I'm so excited to officially call Houston my home after graduation," shared Yaheli Salgado (B.Arch. '26). She's excited for future opportunities from a city she says has given her so much. "Being academically challenged and surrounded by incredible people made this journey unforgettable, and I'll cherish the memories we created! Now, it's time to embrace this new chapter with open arms."

Aparna Prabu's (B.Arch. '26) academic journey will take her to New York University's graduate program. Reflecting on her time at the Hines College, she said, "Graduation feels surreal after five years of studio culture, long nights, and shared experiences that shaped both my work and who I am. It feels like a full-circle moment, and I’m grateful for my family and loved ones who supported me throughout this journey. I’ll always carry the people, conversations, and studio memories that made architecture school unforgettable."

Images 1-2: Yaheli Salgado
Images 3-4: Aparna Prabu

Our Hines College grads are ready to make their mark in the profession! 🎓 🌟

"After graduation, I will continue working at House & Robertson Architect and will pursue my licensure as a professional architect," Brandon Chau (B.Arch. '26) shared. "What excited me the most [about graduation] is the endless possibilities of the future, and I hope to make the most out of time I have now out of school."

Taylor Henderson (B.Arch. '26) will enter the workforce as a Project Specialist in the education sector of Corgan Associates, Inc. On her plans post-graduation and what she'll remember most at UH, she said, "I am especially excited for my graduation trip to Boston. One of my favorite college memories was attending the Final Four in San Antonio last year. Although we did not win, the experience only strengthened my school pride and deepened my love for Cougar basketball."

Images 1-2: Brandon Chau
Images 3-4: Taylor Henderson

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We're continuing to spotlight our Hines College Class of 2026! 🎓 🌟

A double major in Architcture and Art History, Ashley Gonzalez (B.Arch. and BA '26) is planning to do some summer traveling before starting full-time work in the fall. She said, "I hope to become a licensed architect in the next few years and continue collaborating on projects that integrate art and architecture. Truly grateful for all of the random chaos that came with architecture school!"

"I knew from age 10 that I wanted to become an architect, which has been so grounding through the highs and lows of architecture school," Mallory Perez (M.Arch. '26) shared. She plants to also pursue licensure with graduation behind her. "What I am most grateful for from my time here has been the people — my classmates have been such a positive, uplifting group that I have definitely grown from."

Images 1-2: Ashley Gonzalez
Images 3-4: Mallory Perez