The Virginia Society AIA is pleased to announce the call for applications for the 2012 class of Emerging Leaders in Architecture: An Honors Academy of the Virginia Society AIA. The program is designed to develop future leaders in architecture firms, in communities, and in the profession. The goal of the structured mentorship program is to accelerate the growth and leadership skills of young architects. “I have been enlightened to the full potential of an architect in business and as a part of the community,” said one participant.
Participants consider the evolving and diverse roles of architects and firms in a practice climate where the traditional boundaries between owner, architect, contractor and allied professions are in flux. They’ll focus on identifying resources to make informed business decisions about financial and practice management matters. In addition to analyzing the fundamental legal, ethical and societal responsibilities of architects, participants develop a peer network to serve as an ongoing resource.
ELA is an intensive program of educational sessions structured around presentations, discussions, team exploration, analysis, consensus-building, collaboration, and case study activities undertaken over the course of a year by a small cadre of participants selected for their potential to be outstanding contributors to the profession and the community. Facilitators and mentors who are established leaders in the building, finance, non-profit, development, university, legal, consulting, and design professions and in the community at large develop and deliver the sessions, designed to provide participants with advanced knowledge and skills related to specific areas of leadership and practice.
The program consists of seven day-long seminars, several work sessions, and culminates with a presentation at Architecture Exchange East 2012. The application is available here.
Nominations are encouraged from each school and local chapter within the state, state or local government institutions, allied industries, and architecture firms whose principal is an AIA member. Interested applicants do not need to be nominated and can complete an application to be considered for one of the slots. Find out more information by downloading the program outline and application or by contacting Wayne Conners, Director of Professional Development, at wconners@aiava.org.