Kelsey Jackson '14 Wins Common Bond Scholarship from AIA New York and the Center of Architecture
Kelsey Jackson ‘14 was recently awarded a Common Bond scholarship during the Common Bond: The Center for Architecture Gala. Jackson has been dedicated to integrating her experiences in education and architectural design to uplift historically Black cities and communities.
Every year at Common Bond, the Center for Architecture provides scholarships to outstanding architecture students, chosen by area schools that have been selected by their honorees.
The South Orange, New Jersey native is currently a second-year Master of Architecture candidate at the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Interior Design from NJIT and shared her story and what’s next in her ascending career.
Describe to me how special this massive recognition has been for you?
More than anything, this recognition has been reassuring. My professional path has been quite unconventional, and I’ve had to constantly work hard to adjust to unfamiliar spaces and situations.
What was most amazing about this opportunity was that the Center for Architecture introduced us scholarship recipients to hundreds of professionals in their network the night of the gala. As a result, I've been able to connect with professionals in the AEC field who are in alignment with my passions and goals and value the skills and knowledge I have to offer.
I'm now working for a firm that has the infrastructure to support so many of my professional goals including community engagement and professional licensure. I now feel a much greater sense of support, community, and security in this field! To say I'm grateful for this opportunity would be a gross understatement.
What are your current career goals and projects at Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation?
At GSAPP, I've focused mostly on immersing myself in architectural research, exploration, and experimentation. One (Newark-related) topic I’ve been exploring are the movements of “spatial self determination” that happened around the city of Newark in the late ‘60s-‘70s. I'm also really enjoying learning about the more technical side of architecture and working to get more comfortable with fabrication.
How important has your education at NJIT been as you fulfill your professional goals?
My roots at NJIT run deep! My parents met while both working on campus. They got married and had me, and my first home was Cypress Hall. I even took some of my first steps not too far from where I’d end up spending my days (and late nights) at the studio just two decades later. It was destiny that I ended up studying there.
NJIT was also the place where I grew to become fascinated with the connection between the built environment and socio-cultural experience. During this time I also got to exercise my skills as a leader through my involvement with a number of student organizations. These seeds I planted while at NJIT continue to bloom as I navigate the professional world.
I continue to find myself connected to the university. The fall of 2020 I took a continuing education course with the NJIT Hub for Creative Placemaking, which helped me to develop ideas about what transdisciplinary approaches to architecture could look like in practice.
NJIT has played an instrumental role in shaping who I am both personally and professionally and it will always have a special place in my heart!
Tell me a little about your six years in Madrid after graduation from NJIT and how important they were to get you where you're now?
The six years I spent in Madrid were revolutionary in my personal and professional growth. I became deeply engaged with international and bilingual education and developed a love for teaching. Curiosity led me to inquire about more holistic methods of education, which I was able to explore while working at Spain’s first international democratic school. My experiences working as an educator while being immersed in a foreign setting helped me to conceptualize the roles that culture and the built environment play in how people learn, develop, and interact with one another.
Now, I’m working on projects in the educational and cultural sector, and though I’m still new to it, I’m sure my experience will play a significant role.
Who were your mentors at HCAD?
I’ve had the pleasure to have a lot of support during my time at NJIT. I've maintained good contact with two HCAD professors, David Brothers and Glenn Goldman. They've been helpful during these last few years as I’ve navigated my return to the U.S. and the design field. I’m grateful for their continued support.
Do you have any career advice to current students pursuing a degree in Interior Design?
The best advice I can offer is to simply try things out whole heartedly with an open mind! If something begins to pique your interest, (whether it be a hobby, a temporary job or internship opportunity, an academic course, etc.) find the time to concentrate your energy on that new thing.
Allow yourself to fully engage in that unfamiliar experience and see how you fare. Invest in the relationships with the people you meet along the way. Also, take time to step back and honestly evaluate that experience. I believe that this exercise allows you to better understand yourself and how you work with others, your preferences, and ultimately, allows you to define a path that is uniquely yours.
