Student, Faculty & Alumni Profiles

Julie Reed, CAPLA's new undergraduate advising coordinator, emphasizes utilizing available resources and seeking guidance when needed for student success. With a background in academic advising, she brings strong support and a passion for creativity and sustainability to the college community.

Myles Peña, Lecturer in Architecture at CAPLA, finds inspiration in celebrating nature's beauty within design. With a background in various architectural realms, he now focuses on teaching young minds, sharing his expertise in design principles and technical components.

Adedoyin Oduwole, a Bachelor of Architecture student at the University of Arizona, envisions using architecture for social change by creating dignified housing for low-income individuals in Nigeria. She emphasizes CAPLA's diverse and supportive community, overcoming challenges through time management, and her passion for residential designs addressing homelessness.

The College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture is proud to acknowledge August and Gina Benzien as the 2023-2024 Alumni of the Year. The Benziens are among 15 alumni chosen from across the University of Arizona who will be honored during the Alumni of the Year Awards Ceremony on February 22.

Olivia Hernandez, a Bachelor of Architecture student at the University of Arizona, discusses her academic journey, emphasizing the family-like studio culture and supportive professors at CAPLA. Her advice for prospective CAPLA students is to connect with current students for valuable insights.

Cylan Shaffer is the recruitment coordinator at CAPLA, helping students discover the unique opportunities within our college. His passion for guiding students ensures they make informed decisions and find inspiration for their academic journey.

Bachelor of Architecture student Carter Roth narrates his transformative journey from small-town Iowa to Tucson, highlighting CAPLA's inclusive culture and immersive studio experience, as well as his dedication to shaping a meaningful architectural future.

Bachelor of Architecture student Jack Schulman began an enriching journey at CAPLA, drawing inspiration from fostering sustainable urban environments. Recently, he proudly became a part of the 2023 UArizona Homecoming Court, highlighting his commitment to both campus and community life.

Garrett Smith serves as a CAPLA lecturer in both Sustainable Built Environments and Landscape Architecture. His research focuses on how recreation affects people, the environment and those responsible for managing it.

Master of Science in Urban Planning student Tiara Stephen came to Tucson from Brooklyn to explore the Desert Southwest and work at the University of Arizona. Not long after, she joined the MSUP program, furthering her passions for affordable housing and community access.

Brendan Sullivan Shea joined CAPLA this fall as a visiting professor of architecture. His research, creative work and teaching focus on digital fabrication and desertification, while his advice to students is simple: if you can, travel.

Noémie Despland-Lichtert joined CAPLA this fall as our second Emerging Faculty Fellow. An accomplished teacher, researcher and practitioner, she spent the last year in Brussels and has also worked at Taliesin West, the Canadian Centre for Architecture and the Architecture Department of Getty Research Institute, among others.