November 22, 2015

Elections Chair, Charlie Klecha, Assoc. AIA The American Institute of Architecture Students 1735 New York Ave. NW Washington D.C. 20006

Dear Mr. Charlie Klecha,

My name is Victoria Pham, and I am writing to apply for the position of National Vice President for the American Institute of Architecture Students.

As a member since 2011, I have followed this organization through its development and within the past 6 years, have moved up from member to Chapter Vice President, and now Chapter President. With a strong dedication to this grassroots organization and a strong will to serve others, I believe I would be a perfect fit for the position.

As we see with the recent Architype Project, AIAS supports students of all backgrounds through each person’s unique endeavors beyond Architecture. I believe in the organic development and process which occurs as students explore, challenge, and expand outside of this newly evolving field. With my non-traditional path in my education, my skillsets, and my alternative way of thinking, I can create opportunities for members to break barriers.

From my experiences as being a Chapter President at AIAS UMass Amherst, I have gained a profound consciousness in management and mentorship, which fueled an unprecedented Chapter growth of 500%, a higher level of involvement, and a better outlet for connections on a local scale. I work with officers, members, faculty, staff, officials, chairpersons, and companies to add value back into AIAS UMass.

If you would like to discuss my qualifications further, please do not hesitate to call me at 1.978.809.8915. I can also be reached via email at victoria.a.t.pham@gmail.com. Feel free to connect with me on my social media networks as well (listed in resume).

Sincerely, Victoria Pham

Victoria TEL EMAIL victoria.a.t.pham@gmail.comWEB http://linkedin.com/in/phamv

Anh Th Ph m 38 ARTHUR STREET HAVERHILL, MA 01832

978.809.8915

EXPERIENCE Chapter President, AIAS UMass, Amherst, MA — Jul 2015 – present

Creates opportunities for students to advocate for their profession, engage with their community through design, acquire valuable software and soft skills, and foster a stronger drive for sustainability. + Increases membership 200% within two months, including students outside of Architecture+ Sits in faculty meetings and acts as liaison between the Department and AIAS UMass+ Partners with Construction Managers to create on-campus construction tours for members+ Collaborates with IDP Faculty Coordinator and IDP Student Coordinator to create workshops+ Expands network through introducing technology showcases in design and fabrication+ Works heavily with finances, budgets, and management of accounts with account specialists+ Applies and presents for local grants as well as designed and circulated firm donation letters+ Created stronger web presence through gained access to build first AIAS UMass website+ Established first student IDP coordinator accepted by NCARB to add as resource for students+ Revisited and updated UMass Amherst Department of Architecture Studio Culture Policy(2012) for 2016 NAAB Accreditation visit with Faculty and a 7-student committee

Member, AIAS National Advocacy Task Force — Sept 2015 – present Collaborates with 10-12 other selected members to strategize advocacy for Architecture students through capable resources provided by AIAS by educating the design community on studio culture, promoting healthier workflows and better stress mitigation or management, and supporting the NDSA Bill which was reintroduced into Congress Spring 2015. + Created a dialogue between students and faculty on Studio Culture at UMass Amherst+ Conceptualizes and shapes the National AIAS Studio Culture Week to promote and celebrateStudio Culture awareness in Spring 2016

Editorial Board Member, CRIT Journal — Sept 2015 – present Works closely in a 5-member team to find or write relevant content, create a unique design, and showcase student's works for AIAS's official student journal/design magazine + Works to obtain interview with Rosa Sheng for Winter 2015 issue

Chapter Vice President, AIAS UMass, Amherst, MA — Sept 2014 – Jul 2015 Student Extern, Nacul Center for Ecological Architecture, Amherst, MA – Sept 2013 - Dec 2013 Student Extern, Antinozzi Associates PC, Bridgeport, CT — Jan 2011

EDUCATION University of Massachusetts - Amherst, Amherst, MA — Candidate BFA in Architecture, 2016

Northern Essex Community College, Haverhill, MA — Associate in Liberal Art, Honors, 2013 Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI — 2011

INDEPENDENT COURSES Building Performance Analysis Certificate — Autodesk, present

Introduction to Computer Science & Programming Using Python — MITx, 2015 USGBC LEED GA Workshop — Leading Green, 2014 Introduction to Efficient Energy – Merrimack College, 2013 Introduction to Statistics: Descriptive Statistics — BerkeleyX, 2013 Leadership in Energy Efficient Design (LEED) Workshop — Roger Williams University, 2011

SKILLS Advanced Freehand Sketching/Rendering (+15 years) Technical Drawing/Drafting (+6 years) Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign (+6 years) Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, Maya (+4 years) Google Sketchup (+3 years) Rhino 3D 5 (+2 years) Adobe Dreamweaver, Muse (+1 year) Terminal – bash (OS X) (+1 year)

PROJECT "Harvesting Light: The Future of Urbanism” — Physics II Honors Project, 2013

HONORS & AWARDS Common Boston Common Build 72hr Design Build Competition – Won Third Prize, Popular Vote Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society — Member, 2013 Northern Essex Community College — Dean’s List Recipient, 2012, 2013 Roger Williams University — NAAB-Recognized Studio Projects, 2010, 2011 Scholastic Arts and Writing Program— Art Silver Key Medalist, 2006

PUBLICATION “What Does it Feel Like?” — Creative Non-Fiction Sample, Parnassus Literary Mag, May 2013

ORGANIZATIONS Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Habitat for Humanity

VOLUNTEER Volunteer Barista — Freedom Café, 2013 – present

Sustainability and Art Counselor — Boy Scouts of America Merit Badge University, Feb 2014 Student Volunteer Builder — Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh, NY, April 2010

INTERESTS Volunteering Traveling Designing Educating

SKILLS Advanced Freehand Sketching/Rendering (+15 years) Technical Drawing/Drafting (+6 years) Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign (+6 years) Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, Maya (+4 years) Google Sketchup (+3 years) Rhino 3D 5 (+2 years) Adobe Dreamweaver, Muse (+1 year) Terminal – bash (OS X) (+1 year)

PROJECT "Harvesting Light: The Future of Urbanism” — Physics II Honors Project, 2013

HONORS & AWARDS Common Boston Common Build 72hr Design Build Competition – Won Third Prize, Popular Vote Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society — Member, 2013 Northern Essex Community College — Dean’s List Recipient, 2012, 2013 Roger Williams University — NAAB-Recognized Studio Projects, 2010, 2011 Scholastic Arts and Writing Program— Art Silver Key Medalist, 2006

PUBLICATION “What Does it Feel Like?” — Creative Non-Fiction Sample, Parnassus Literary Mag, May 2013

ORGANIZATIONS Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Habitat for Humanity

VOLUNTEER Volunteer Barista — Freedom Café, 2013 – present

Sustainability and Art Counselor — Boy Scouts of America Merit Badge University, Feb 2014 Student Volunteer Builder — Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh, NY, April 2010

INTERESTS Volunteering Traveling Designing Educating

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UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST Department of Architecture 353 Fine Arts Center 151 Presidents Drive, Office 1 Amherst, MA 01003-9330

Voice: 413-577-1575 Fax: 413-545-3929

20 November 2015

To: Whom It May Concern From: Stephen Schreiber, Professor and Chair RE: Victoria Pham

I have known Victoria Pham for the past two years. She is an architecture student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I am professor and chair. She is president of the UMass chapter of AIAS.

Victoria is a bright, creative, industrious, engaging student. She has helped the UMass AIAS chapter grow significantly and expand its activities.

She is also a wonderful person, who is always willing to help her fellow students.

I recommend her highly for an elected position in AIAS national.

Stephen Schreiber, FAIA Professor and Chair Former President, Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture

QUESTIONAIRE

1. Describe your origin story as a student leader. What prompted you to get involved? What advice would you give others who have yet to realize their potential for leadership?

I first got involved six years ago when I attended Roger Williams University as a freshman and attended my first FORUM National Conference in Phoenix, AZ. I wanted to join AIAS to be part of something more, to be inspired to evolve in my design, my education, and my social network. FORUM 2011 Solutions was a wake-up call to what this organization means to me. Though filled with great resources, it was filled with the most energetic students I have ever met. Coming home from that trip, I realized that an organization is nothing without its members. To be one of them became an honor, and I have since paid it forward through encouraging my peers to join the movement.

As a leader, I take my experience, energy, and passion and I infuse it in everything that I do. I have since been an AIAS Chapter Vice President and a Chapter President for the University of Massachusetts Amherst. As someone who was once shy and had a hard time connecting with others, I have seen myself transform over the years into a more energetic, outgoing, and involved member of AIAS. For students who have yet to see their potential, I advise them to forgo all fear. Everything is a learning curve, and I believe that everything is meant to be experienced, both the good and the bad. The best leaders are the ones who try and who challenge. They are also the ones who have failed, but have learned from these failures.

2. In recent years, the AIAS has increased its efforts in advocacy for architecture students on issues including but not limited to student loan debt, studio culture, intern development, leadership, technology, and diversity. What one issue do you personally f ind the most important? How would you make progress on this issue as an elected leader on the AIAS National Board of Directors?

I believe that student loan debt is one of the most important issues that AIAS has tackled. This is a universal solution to many students and, once passed, will be tremendous in lifting the unnecessary burden students have upon graduating. The beauty of this bill is that it is a collaborative effort from AIAS and its collaterals and a direct result of students’ will for change.

As an elected leader, I am willing to work to extend past our collaterals and gain support in other unconventional realms that relate to architecture and design. Because this bill means so much and can be empathized by so many, I feel that a shake up in architecture is just the beginning.

3. The AIAS has over 160 chapters across the U.S. and around the world, ranging in size from just a few students to hundreds. How would you use your position on the Board to better connect and engage our geographically and culturally diverse membership? What resources would you propose to better serve Chapter leaders seeking to grow their chapters and connect to other students around the world?

The beauty of diversity is that it opens up different channels within the organization, and can only help break conventional barriers to build on opportunities. As a Chapter President, I have taken my time to get to know members on a one-to-one basis to understand what their needs are, and what I can bring to the table to help them reach their goals. The greatest tool that our generation can give in this profession, and in any grassroots organization, is the ability to work together. I would help chapters connect to other chapters through opportunities, projects, and platforms that bring them together socially, academically, and professionally.

Technology is our friend. So far, I have had great success in engaging with students from other chapters through the right platforms. The one which I will start to work with is the AIAS website which has the potential to be a centralizing hub for its members to interact with each other.

4. Descr ibe one area in which you see an untapped opportunity for the AIAS to engage in a new way, either with other organizat ions (ASLA, AIGA, etc), with school facul ty and administrators, wi th the profession, or with the internat ional design community.

The dynamics of what students have to offer on a national level, when attending FORUM, can easily be registered to local chapters. The resources National provide are great, but the energy, enthusiasm, and encouragement students bring back from conferences to their schools about the hope of the profession is far better, and more-so, contagious.

The best chapters have healthy relationships between its members, faculty, and staff. With this healthy relationship, students can break their molds and become the creatives that they wish to be. The local level is the best level to create change, because with that one catalyst, a ripple effect begins. A new model of how the academy provides for its students to be prepared to enter the profession can only be done when we break that barrier between administrators/faculty/staff and students, our members.

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AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS POLICY ON COMPENSATION FOR INTERNS In July 1993, the AIAS Board of Directors adopted a ‘‘Public Policy on Uncompensated Interns.’’ The policy has been subsequently reviewed and reaffirmed by the Board and reads as follows:

The AIAS maintains that employers must properly compensate all employees. Compensation must be in compliance with the regulations for the jurisdiction in which they are working.

In 2010, AIAS crafted a public statement on intern compensation in conjunction with the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture and the American Institute of Architects, which reads as follows:

The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, the American Institute of Architects, and the American Institute of Architecture Students recognize that architects are bound by law and ethics to pay interns, and strongly advocate for the appropriate compensation of architectural students and interns. Because of current economic transformations, some architects have both solicited and accepted the services and labor of interns without pay. We strongly urge architectural firms and other for-profit employers to respect the law and comply with the ethical standards of our profession, and we strongly encourage interns to refuse to accept employment without pay, and to notify the Department of Labor in cases where employers propose such an arrangement. For more information on labor laws and professional ethics, please see the AIA Code of Ethics and the U.S. Labor Department standards under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The ACSA, AIA, and AIAS further support architects, students, and recent graduate doing pro-bono work. We recognize the distinction between unpaid work for profit-making employers, and unpaid work for non-profit organizations, communities in need, and volunteer activities, which allows participants to determine their own hours and degree of involvement. The AIA has established guidelines for service that are provided on a Pro Bono basis. They can be found under the member section of the AIA website.

POLICY ON COMPENSATION FOR INTERNS AFFIRMATION As a way of confirming that the AIAS is not promoting or being promoted by architects employing unpaid interns, we ask that each participant in an official AIAS function review and sign the following statement. We appreciate your participation in our event and thank you for your support of our position against unpaid internships. This position is supported as well by the Board of Directors of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Name: __________________________________________________________

I do hereby affirm that I understand and support the AIAS policy on the compensation for interns. If I employee interns, I further affirm that I do not use unpaid architectural interns in my professional practice when applicable by federal wage and hour laws.

Signature: __Victoria Pham_________________________________________

Date: ____________________________________________________________

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AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS ELECTIONS CODE OF ETHICS Elections are a critical step by which the American Institute of Architecture Students is governed. Annual elections, as outlined in the Bylaws and the Rules of the Board, ensure that the membership of the organization participates in the selection of the best candidates to serve on the national Board of Directors.

Individuals elected to the Board of Directors represent the membership and ensure the continued success of the organization. Therefore, participants who are involved in the elections process, including candidates, Board members and elections committee members, are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and good judgment.

Confidentiality is required of all participants in the elections process. Participants should not discuss details of the elections process to the general membership before, during or after FORUM. Elections information that is considered public knowledge, and therefore can be shared with the membership, occurs during the General Business Sessions and at the General Assemblies.

Campaigning is strictly prohibited prior to FORUM. Conversation between chapters regarding candidates should not take place. Campaigning will only begin at the first General Assembly of FORUM.

Campaigning during FORUM shall be professional. Candidates and candidate support groups should be respectful in their campaigning efforts. Disrespectful campaigning will be a violation of the Elections Code of Ethics, and will be grounds for immediate review by the Elections Committee.

Campaigning materials should follow the Election Guidelines, and should be distributed in appropriate venues only. Appropriate venues include FORUM General Business Sessions, General Assemblies, and Quad Breakouts.

As leaders of this organization, and future leaders of this profession, we must uphold the highest ethical practice. Questionable behavior during elections will not be tolerated. Any concerns should be immediately raised with the Elections Chair.

ELECTIONS CODE OF ETHICS AFFIRMATION To promote the highest level of professionalism during elections, we ask that each participant in the elections process review and sign the following statement. We appreciate your participation and thank you for your support and dedication to the organization.

Name: __________________________________________________________

I do hereby affirm that I have read, understand and agree to abide by the AIAS Elections Code of Ethics and the Elections Guidelines.

Signature: ____Victoria Pham_______________________________________

Date: ____________________________________________________________

Please submit this form with your confirmation for participation.

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AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS CANDIDATE CONTACT INFORMATION FORM Candidate contact information will only be used by the Elections Committee to communicate elections-related information. If provided, social media handles will be shared when candidates are posted publicly on AIAS website and social media.

Name (as preferred):________________________________________

Chapter:__________________________________________________

Chapter Leadership Position (if any):___________________________

Email Address:_____________________________________________

Mobile Phone Number:______________________________________

Social Media Account Handles (optional):

o Facebook:__________________________________________

o Twitter: @__________________________________________

o Instagram:_________________________________________

o Other:____________________________________________

Explore the UnconventionalChallenge the Traditional

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VP FOR VPVote Victoria Pham for Vice President

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