Author: Lynda

At a/e ProNet, we are continually inspired by the growth of our scholarship recipients. This season, Rosalyn Becicka, a fourth-year architecture student at Iowa State University and 2025–2026 David W. Lakamp Architect Scholar, reflects on what she learned at two national events: the CREW International Conference in Austin, Texas, and the IIBEC Building Enclosure Research Symposium in St. Louis, Missouri. ~ Lynda Colucci

Learning, Leading, and Connecting

A Reflection from Rosalyn Becicka, 2025–2026 David W. Lakamp Architect Scholarship Recipient

By Rosalyn Becicka

Hello, I’m Rosalyn. I study architecture because I believe design strengthens community. With support from a/e ProNet, I attended two conferences that expanded my skills and confidence.

CREW Conference – Austin, Texas

Walking into a ballroom of women in commercial real estate was energizing. I met scholars from across the country and was welcomed by the Iowa CREW chapter, which helped me feel grounded from the start.

Leadership and negotiation shaped day two. Cheryl Wright’s motto “Plan your work and work your plan” reminded me that discipline supports every goal. A negotiation session reinforced that preparation allows you to recognize your value.

The final day focused on balance and purpose. Speakers encouraged us to integrate rather than perfect, and a former Prime Minister of New Zealand demonstrated how empathy strengthens leadership. I left Austin ready to approach challenges with clarity.

IIBEC Building Enclosure Research Symposium – St. Louis, Missouri

In St. Louis, I explored the science behind building performance with architects, engineers, and researchers. Guided by a mentor, I attended sessions on forensics, retrofit design, and enclosure systems.

A standout presentation by Raymond Desmarar showed how energy upgrades must remain accessible for the people who use them. Another session highlighted how components like flashing and gutter guards prevent expensive water damage. These details reminded me that architecture relies on precision as much as big ideas.

The professionals I met shared advice generously, reinforcing that mentorship is essential to our field.

Building a Network and a Future

Both conferences revealed that architecture grows through community. What felt intimidating became clarifying. I returned to Iowa with knowledge, connections, and a deeper belief that design is ultimately about people.

I am grateful to a/e ProNet for investing in students and encouraging us to lead long before graduation.

I recently got together with Alexandra over the holidays to see how her career is progressing, and to gain any insight she might want to share with future scholarship recipients. We had a great conversation. Check out the insights below. ~ Lynda

A New Perspective on the Workplace

Returning to the office after a significant period of remote work can be both exciting and daunting. Alexandra, who previously worked at Gensler before attending graduate school, shared her observations on how the workplace has transformed since the COVID pandemic. She noted that the energy in the office remains vibrant and inspiring, though some procedures have changed. Overall, she feels empowered to absorb knowledge and contribute to innovative projects with her colleagues.

At Gensler – Designing for People

After obtaining her Master of Architecture, Alexandra joined Gensler in New York City as a Job Captain. At Gensler she is involved in user-centered design. She emphasized the firm’s mission to prioritize people in the design process, ensuring that clients’ interactions with spaces are both comfortable and meaningful. With the average person spending approximately 75% of their time indoors, the significance of thoughtful design cannot be overstated. Alexandra’s academic background in this area has equipped her with the tools to contribute meaningfully to the firm’s projects. She understands that designing environments goes well beyond aesthetics; they involve creating spaces that enhance well-being and foster positive experiences. This approach is especially relevant in today’s world, where mental health and comfort in our surroundings are more important than ever.

Educational Opportunities and Financial Support

As the conversation progressed, the topic of scholarships and educational opportunities arose. Alexandra shared her positive experience applying for a scholarship with a/e Pro Net which offered over $5,000 to support her graduate studies. She found the scholarship application process easy to apply for, and helpful in allowing her not to worry about finances, allowing her to focus more on her studies. She encourages other architectural students to apply for this scholarship as an alternative to having to apply for loans.

The importance of scholarships extends well beyond financial relief; they also serve to encourage aspiring architects and designers to pursue their passions. Alexandra highlighted the need for professors and colleges to actively promote scholarship information through newsletters and other channels. Alexandra offered to help us with outreach for our scholarship program at her alma mater, University of Oregon, and we look forward to doing so.

As the design process began, each group was given a precedent as a starting point to form and aesthetic. As the 12 groups merged progressively through the semester, the many pavilion designs became 3. My group’s pavilion was made of curving pieces of rebar, and enclosed in shrink wrap.

Video credit: Lawrence Technological University
Photo credit: Steve Kroodsma

At my internship with AE Design, I’m undertaking a fascinating blend of power and lighting design. One of the projects that excites me the most is the new Boulder Western City Campus, which includes a city hall building, a parking garage, and an exterior plaza in Boulder, Colorado. Being part of this team for over a year (Kelsi if third from the left), I’ve watched the project evolve and take shape. This hands-on experience has been invaluable in understanding the nuances of designing spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.   

Recently, I had the opportunity to contribute to a physical mock-up at the Northglenn City Hall. This involved assembling various lighting solutions within an atrium to determine the most effective way to illuminate a prominent local art sculpture. Such practical experiences have heightened my appreciation for the meticulous planning required to balance form and function in public spaces.

A significant milestone in my professional development has been earning my WELL Accredited Professional certification through the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). This certification has deepened my insight into how buildings influence human health and wellness, equipping me with the expertise to contribute to designs that foster healthier environments.

Beyond my professional endeavors, Colorado’s stunning landscapes offer a perfect backdrop for weekend camping trips with my dog, Gracie. Whether exploring urban areas or venturing into the mountains, these outdoor adventures provide a refreshing balance to my architectural pursuits. They remind me of the importance of integrating natural elements into our built environments, a consideration that is becoming increasingly relevant in architectural design and its associated risk management.

We are pleased to introduce Kelsi Weilage, the recipient of the 2024-25 A/E ProNet ACEC Scholarship. Kelsi is set to begin her Master’s program at the University of Nebraska – Omaha this fall.

A Nebraska native from a small rural community of just 400 residents, Kelsi grew up with a passion for math and science, although she was initially unsure where her interests would lead her. She completed her undergraduate degree in Architectural Engineering with a focus on Electrical Engineering.

Kelsi discovered her enthusiasm for ‘creative engineering’ and is now dedicated to the fields of Creative Lighting Design and Power Design. This summer, she is gaining hands-on experience in these areas at an AE Design firm in Colorado.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Kelsi and wish her continued success in her academic and professional endeavors. We look forward to following her career progress closely. Stay tuned for updates on her remarkable journey.

Kaitlin, a Wisconsin native is studying Architecture at Lawrence Technical University in Southfield, Michigan.  She graduated a week ago and will begin both her Master’s program this month and also she’ll be working as an Architect at a local Michigan firm Colliers Engineering & Design.  Quite a full plate for this ambitious young Architect.

She grew up with a Dad who is an Engineer and fell in his shadow of architect design and industrial engineering.  Kaitlin wants to focus her career on Commercial projects for Schools, Colleges, and Community Centers.  Be at the intersection of helping people.

For fun she likes to run and ran cross-country in school.  She’s looking to run her first marathon someday in her spare time.

Seth, a North Carolina native is in his second year of his Master’s Program in Architecture at Clemson University in South Carolina.  He’s working an internship this summer in Chicago for SNH Architects and heading to Genoa, Italy for the Fall semester to study Italian Architecture.

Seth caught the architect bug while growing up as an apprentice for his Dad who is a Carpenter/Woodworker/Guitar builder.  Seth himself has designed and built his own bass guitar.  Seth wants to work on Civic projects – Libraries and Museums in particular.

He wants to offer his talents to communities that do not have these public services.

Stay tuned as we follow these ambitious young Architects.  We continue to be proud to invest in the future of Architects.

aeProNet scholarship recipient, Jennifer Stieben, is interning at Tesla!

She is an architectural project management intern for office construction and construction for a new facility. This entails meeting with several people in different disciplines and specializations, creating presentations, making design decisions, and creating and managing project schedules. It involves learning about the construction process, creating and presenting drawings quickly, as well as learning about the manufacturing process. Projects are built by the company’s own construction team or assigned to external designers and contractors.

In Jennifers words:

” I discovered this position out of curiosity and by considering my previous experiences,interests, and strengths. It is a very fun and interesting pathway- The teams, collaboration, and comradery are excellent. It definitely can be hard work in terms of deadlines and the amount of work, but it is great to be surrounded by such sharp individuals and new ideas. We get to see some incredible things, work on amazing projects with some incredible people.

It’s important to explore your own interests and strengths, regardless of what is considered a typical pathway”

We love investing in the future of Architects & Engineers and are very proud of Jennifer and all our Scholarship recipients. Stay tuned as we follow Jennifer’s career.

We are thrilled to announce that Jillian Dlouhy, recipient of the 2023 ACEC Scholarship, is set to graduate this year with her Masters in Engineering from the University of Nebraska Omaha. Last week, Jillian enjoyed a lunch meeting with Jill Aldredge (pictured with Jillian), a member of our a/e ProNet association and producer at Hub Insurance in Omaha, Nebraska.

During her studies, Jillian interned at Olsson, Inc., a valued client of Jill Aldredge’s at Hub Insurance and the placing broker for our UK member, New Dawn Risk. In a fantastic turn of events, Jillian has recently accepted a position at Olsson, Inc. following her graduation.

This is exactly the outcome we always hope for with our scholarship recipients. How amazing is that? One of our talented scholars joins the workforce of a client belonging to our esteemed association members!

In a previous blog post, we introduced you to our 2023 ACEC (American Council of Engineering Companies) Scholarship Recipient, Jillian Dlouhy.  Now we get to share an update on one of her graduate projects.  Stay tuned as we follow the progress of this project over the school year.

  Jillian Dlouhy Shares:

I am currently working with a multi-disciplinary team of nine students to design the complete mechanical, electrical, and structural systems for a VA Ambulatory Care Center. This is part of the master’s curriculum of the architectural engineering program through the University of Nebraska. The goal with this is to allow students to collaborate and engineer a complete design for a challenging facility.

For this, I am leading the mechanical discipline which encompasses HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and acoustic design. Since this is a healthcare facility designed for the VA, this presents challenges in infection control, client satisfaction, and overall integration of systems. Working through this project has taught me the value and challenges of collaborating on a large team as well as helped me develop more technical expertise for my career.