Meet our Speakers: Kate Schwennsen

The Iowa Women in Architecture Annual Meeting is on Tuesday, September 8th. Learn more about one of our speakers, Kate Schwennsen, FAIA!  

Kate Schwennsen, FAIA

Kate Schwennsen, FAIA, is the Director of the School of Architecture, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.  She is a recognized leader in bridging architectural education and practice, and was recently named by DesignIntelligence as one of the 30 Most Admire Educators for 2015.  She joined the Clemson faculty as the school’s chair in August 2010, and has since taken great pleasure in being immersed in the energy, optimism and ambition that permeates Lee Hall, and throughout the school’s Fluid Campus.

Kate is a recognized leader in bridging architectural education and practice, with expertise in issues of design leadership, diversity, and evolving models of practice and education in architecture.  Kate has held many leadership positions in professional organizations, and is currently the Co-Chair of the Education Commission of the International Union of Architects (UIA), and Co-Reporter for the UNESCO/UIA Validation Council.  Schwennsen was 2006 President of the American Institute of Architects, the second woman to serve as the elected leader of this then-149-year-old, 80,000-member organization.

She is licensed to practice architecture in Iowa and South Carolina, and has worked on projects, mostly senior living and housing, in a dozen states.  Professor Schwennsen was formerly Professor of Architecture and Associate Dean (2001-2010) for Academic Programs of the College of Design, Iowa State University, which was also her alma mater for her BA and M.Arch.

Don’t forget to RSVP for the Annual Meeting on September 8th from 5:15 – 7:30 PM, there are limited seats available! Sign up through the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-iawia-annual-meeting-tickets-18226998443