The next application cycle opens November 2025

About the Scholarships

AFO awards and administers scholarships for college students who are studying design and building professions in the state of Oregon. Annual scholarship applications open in November with a February deadline. Students are welcome to apply for as many AFO scholarships they are eligible for in a given year. Learn more about each scholarship, below.

Hatfield Architectural Award – $5,000 scholarship for undergraduate and graduate architecture students attending University of Oregon or Portland State University who express commitment to community service. Learn more.

Applications open in November with a February deadline.

William Hart Scholarship – $5,000 scholarship for Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color (BIPOC) Master and Bachelor of Architecture students entering their last year at University of Oregon or Portland State University. Learn more.

Applications open in November with a February deadline.

Tsagaglalal (She Who Watches) Scholarship – Renewable $10,000 scholarship for non-graduating Indigenous students of U.S. states and territories, pursuing a degree in art or architecture at Portland State University. Learn more.

Applications open in November with a February deadline.

Hermann Colas, Jr. Legacy Scholarship – $5,000 scholarship for Black and Latin(x) undergraduate students pursuing a 4-year degree in construction management, engineering, or architecture at an Oregon college or university. Learn more.

Applications open in November with a February deadline.

PAE Diversity in Engineering Scholarship – Renewable $5,000 scholarship for undergraduate students marginalized by ethnicity and/or gender, pursuing engineering with a passion for climate justice at an accredited 4-year university in the United States. Learn more.

Applications open in November with a February deadline.

PCC Architecture + Interior Design Scholarship – $5,000 scholarship for first-generation students enrolled in Portland Community College’s Architectural Design and Drafting or Interior Design degree program. Learn more.

Applications open in November with a February 1 deadline.

Scholarship recipients are asked to attend our annual Building Pathways showcase to receive their awards in the Spring. The event is attended by members of the architecture, engineering, construction, and design community from across the state and celebrates the hard work and accomplishments of our Scholars.

The criteria for AFO Scholarships includes a consideration for need, although need is not a prerequisite. Undergraduate and graduate students are evaluated based on the merits of their experience. Previous applicants who have not received an award are welcomed and encouraged to reapply.

Meet Our 2025 Scholars

Join us in congratulating our current Hatfield, Hart, Tsagaglalal, Colas, and PCC Scholars!

Ron Janus Acob (he/they), Portland State University
2025 Hatfield Scholar

Ron is a Master of Architecture candidate at PSU, dedicated to using architecture and design as “tools to create inclusive spaces that address the needs and challenges of diverse communities.” A Filipino American who grew up in Hawaii, he is guided by Bayanihan, which “refers to the spirit of communal unity and shared responsibility.”

Ron has immersed himself in community engagement activities that intersect architecture, community-based design, and spatial justice. He recently co-developed storytelling for the Oak Savanna and ITECK Center, a space for Indigenous students and community members. He has worked with BIPOC youth to explore how design and architecture can be used as tools for spatial and racial justice through ELSO Inc.’s Studio Justice program.

Ron is committed to uplifting the “voices of those most affected into the design and decision-making process” and using architecture to create social impact.”

Sofia Irvin (she/her), University of Oregon
2025 Hart Scholar

Sofia is a Master of Architecture candidate at UO who believes that “architecture is a tool and catalyst for social change and justice.” She is a member and advocate of the disabled community and is dedicated to designing spaces that “support and uplift communities, including marginalized individuals, to create more meaningful spaces within broader society.”

“Growing up and living with individuals with both physical and cognitive disabilities, I am constantly reminded how the built environment exacerbates the unjust treatment of people with disabilities. A body is considered “disabled” when it cannot effectively engage with or utilize its surroundings. Architecture exacerbates bodily differences and facilitates disability.”

Using the practices of trauma-informed and public interest design, Sofia plans to “uplift the underserved and restore harmony to the dissonance between individuals and the built environment” through her architectural designs.

Taliilagi Aumavae (she/her), Portland State University
2025 Tsagaglalal Scholar

Taliilagi is an Art + Design major and Graphic Design minor at PSU, rooted and inspired by her Samoan heritage.

Throughout her educational journey, she has sought deeper connections with her heritage by immersing herself in cultural groups and nonprofits such as Living Islands, APANO (where she participated in the TARO program), and the PSU Pacific Islanders Club. “Being able to bring in my knowledge of design has positively influenced the work that we do… As I continue to work on my skills and build my portfolio, I hope to bring proper representation to western media of the Pacific Islands and its people while also learning more about my own culture.”

Anthony Westwolf (he/him), Portland State University
2025 Tsagaglalal Scholar

Anthony, Amskapi Pikuni and enrolled member of The Blackfeet Nation, is an Architecture major at PSU. He views architecture as a means of making change and aspires to design spaces that “honor history while also pushing forward new ideas.”

“I want to be part of the solution by designing spaces that are not only functional but also culturally meaningful. My long-term goal is to collaborate with Indigenous communities to create spaces that truly reflect their needs and traditions. That means working on projects like affordable housing, community centers, and schools that honor Indigenous ways of life. By listening, learning, and working together, I hope to design spaces that are both practical and deeply connected to culture.”

Gate Kwaleso (he/him), Lane Community College
2025 Colas Scholar

Gate is a Civil Engineering major at Lane Community College, transferring to Oregon State University in the fall. An international student from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he is excited to use his skills as an aspiring engineer to design roads and circulation in Oregon and in the Congo.

“In my country, I have learned through the suffering of the majority of the Congolese population that I am blessed to have the opportunity to study in the US and gain a valuable education. This pushes me to work very hard because it is an investment that will positively contribute to the lives of people of my communities both in the US and in the Congo.”

Sara Regalado (she/her), University of Oregon
2025 Colas Honorarium Awardee

Sara is a Bachelor of Architecture candidate at UO. An aspiring Latina architect originally from Mexico, she is an advocate for diversifying the field and hopes to be an inspiration for other minority students looking to pursue a career in architecture.

“The construction and architecture field has a long way to go in achieving true diversity. The benefits — stronger communities, greater innovation, and better opportunities — are undeniable. With the help of this scholarship, I will further develop the skills and knowledge needed to make this change, ensuring that in the future everyone has a voice and is represented in these fields.”

Briannah Wilson (she/her) Portland Community College
2024 PCC Scholar

Briannah is working toward her Associate Degree in Interior Design at PCC. “I am a lesbian, a lifelong self-taught creative, and grew up under-housed with bouts of homelessness, in an environment where pursuing higher education was never encouraged. I’ve always been deeply drawn to the curation and creation of spaces that are joyful, authentic and feel safe.”

“Though I never thought college was in my cards, my interior design degree journey has opened up so many worlds to me. I love that design is a puzzle that is both logical and creative in equal parts and the result is a work of art that people get to live their lives inside. I love the centuries of knowledge, artistry and innovation that touch every element of a space.  I am passionate about accessibility. I love that as designers we are able to make thoughtful and often invisible choices that allow people to live easily and independently. I hope most of all in my career to keep learning, adapting, and helping those I work with to live well.”

Support AFO Scholarships

AFO Scholarships benefit high school and college students who are historically underrepresented in art, design, and building fields. Through our annual awards, we give financial support and mentorship opportunities to students pursuing a career in architecture, interior design, engineering, construction, or art.  

AFO Scholarships are financially supported by Oregon design and building firms, non-profit organizations, and individual donors. Join our community of contributors who are passionate about the next generation of designers and builders by giving to the AFO Scholarship Fund. With your help, we can support more students along their design education journey. 

Give Today

Interested in donating to a specific scholarship? Contact candice@af-oregon.org to discuss possibilities!

Sponsors

Thank you to Penny Knight, the Dr. John Pinkerton Charitable Fund and the following sponsors for supporting our scholarship program.