Meet our 2025 Scholars!

Scholarship and Mentorship Showcase

This annual event is an opportunity to introduce this year’s Scholarship recipients and Formation mentees to our community of design and building professionals. It’s a chance to connect with new talent, showcase innovative student projects, and instill hope in the future of the industry.

Our $5,000-10,000 specialized scholarships increase education and access to architecture, engineering, construction, and design fields with a focus on supporting those who have been historically underrepresented in the industry. In addition, AFO has expanded its support of higher-education students through partnering with Diversity in Design and COMMA on Formation, a mentorship program for design students and professionals of color.

Join us in the spring to increase the visibility of our scholarship and mentorship programs, network with our scholars and mentees, institute higher annual monetary awards, and hear inspiring stories of how leaders in the built environment are contributing to the community.

2025 Building Pathways

2025 Colas Scholar, Gate Kwaleso and Hermann Colas, Jr.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at our first Building Pathways event at Colas Construction on April 14 to celebrate our Scholars and Formation Mentees. All funds raised support the growth of AFO Scholarships and Formation, our two growing programs for higher education students. Help AFO support the future generation of design and building professionals by donating today.

The event was centered on honoring our Scholars and Mentees while helping them grow their network. Thank you to the students who participated in the student showcase and to the professionals who welcomed students into the industry. Together we will create more opportunities for higher education students to thrive in design and building careers!

Event Sponsor

Program Sponsors


Sponsor Building Pathways

Scholar Spotlight

Josymar Rodriguez
2021 Hatfield Scholar, University of Oregon

“Creating nurturing spaces for all is the framework in which I strive to build my relations, studies, and service practice. I believe the idea of architecture as nurture can change the way we approach design questions, set the path for our profession to grow in a new direction where women and minorities take the lead, and develop more dignified living environments.” Learn more about AFO Scholarships.