College of fellows note

by Roger Schluntz, FAIA

Time flies when you are having a good time! It has been a pleasure both observing and consulting with the Young Architects Forum leadership over the past year, and forging important links in aligning our common interests. Perhaps most notably has been the developments in professional mentorship, but also in supporting your efforts and initiatives.

I must say, in my liaison capacity I have come to greatly appreciate (actually, admire!) the commitment, organizational skill, energy, insights, and accomplishments of the YAF. I look forward to the enhancement of mentorship programs, most certainly the blossoming of ALIGN, the national mentorship program being piloted by the YAF and College of Fellows in 2019-20. As are other members of the COF Executive Committee serving on the Young Architect Award jury, we are humbled as we review amazing dossiers some of you have submitted. In my estimation, our profession will be well served for decades to come!

As the 2020 COF/YAF liaison, please welcome Frances Halsband, FAIA, the newest COF Executive Committee member. It is the expectation that she will be the Chancellor of the AIA College of Fellows in 2023, following in the footsteps with that capacity as well as coordinating COF interest and assistance with the young architects. Frances is a founding partner of Kliment Halsband Architects, an award winning, New York firm working with public and private organizations possessing ambitious educational, cultural and civic goals.


In addition to practicing at KHA, Frances’s career included teaching at Columbia, Harvard, Penn, UC Berkeley, Cincinnati, Rice, as well as Pratt, where she was Dean of the School of Architecture. She has also served in many civic roles, including Landmark Preservation Commissioner in New York City. With the AIA, Frances was instrumental in rallying a broad spectrum of Fellows to endorse last year’s anti-abuse and anti-harassment resolution to amend the AIA Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. I know that she is looking forward and excited to participate with the YAF, and in developing creative strategies for Fellows to engage with emerging architects.

So while passing the baton to Frances, I will remain in touch with the YAF, and continue supporting your efforts and initiatives. I have enjoyed meeting and getting to know some of you, and look forward to further formal and informal opportunities to encounters.