Supporting Architectural Education and Career Readiness

By: Jennifer Matthews, Associate AIA, NOMA, Lean practitioner (Medical Planner)

(May 2, 2025) – The 2025 Design + Construction Management (D+CM) Expo, hosted by the Robert R. Taylor School of Architecture and Construction Science (TSACS) at Tuskegee University from February 10-14, 2025, successfully connected students with the latest developments in architecture, construction, and design industries. This week-long event featured a career fair, seminars, workshops, and a symposium, providing invaluable opportunities for professional growth and networking.

The 2025 TSACS D+CM Expo also highlighted the enduring contributions of Jennifer Matthews, Associate AIA, NOMA, Lean Practitioner and medical planner for SS&A Design Collective, as well as the founder of Creative’s XP LLC. A 2013 graduate of Tuskegee University’s Robert R. Taylor School of Architecture and Construction Science (TSACS), Jennifer established this annual event in 2011 during her time as a student. Her dedication to fostering professional development has been unwavering, as she continues to return to TSACS each year to support the planning and facilitation of the expo, ensuring its ongoing success and impact on student career readiness.

SS&A Design Collective participated in the 2025 TSACS D+CM Expo, with representatives ViShayla Stewart, a 2018 TSACS alumna, and Justin Davis in attendance. ViShayla Stewart, architectural designer for SS&A, holds an MBA and is an Associate AIA and NOMA member. She was honored with the Emerging Professional Award at the AIA Alabama Conference and has been appointed as the 2025 AIA Alabama Associate Director-Elect, set to serve as the 2026 AIA Alabama Associate Director.

Justin Davis, architectural designer for SS&A Design Collective, earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Auburn University’s College of Architecture, Design, and Construction in 2021. He began his association with SS&A as an architectural intern during his studies, contributing to design documents and 3D modeling for presentations. Upon graduation, Justin transitioned into a full-time role, where he continues to apply his skills in architectural design and project development.

A RECAP OF THE 2025 TSACS D+CM EXPO EVENTS

Keynote Address: The expo commenced with keynote presentations by Jennifer Matthews and Jordan Crawford, AIA, NOMA, a 2018 TSACS architecture graduate and licensed architect at WSP in Atlanta, Georgia. Jennifer and Jordan spoke about their professional experience over the years, as well as triumphs and obstacles they have faced related to career paths, project experiences, and ARE testing.

Career Fair and Learning Sessions: The career fair spanned two days, featuring numerous companies and offering students the chance to engage directly with industry professionals. Complementing the fair were several learning sessions aimed at enhancing student readiness for the professional world:

Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) + BIM Modeling for Career Readiness: Presented by Keonia Woods, DPR VDC Sr. Project Engineer, with an alumni highlight from Mariah Stewart, DPR Project Engineer and MEP Coordinator.
Understanding the Construction Lifecycle and the Important Roles of a Preconstruction Professional and Project Manager: Led by Keenan Arnold, Senior Preconstruction Manager, and Travis Alford, Senior Project Manager, both from Balfour Beatty.
The Design-Build Process – Pairing Architecture and Construction: Presented by Michael Moore, Business Development Manager at Performance Services.
Bridging Connections: Robert R. Taylor, MIT, and Graduate School Opportunities: Delivered by Nandini S. Choudhury, LCSW, MPH, from MIT’s Department of Architecture.

2025 TSACS D+CM Symposium: A highlight of this year’s expo was the inaugural symposium themed “Design from the Ashes: Creating Spaces of Resilience.” This event invited faculty members, graduate students, and design professionals to submit papers and posters exploring innovative approaches to designing built environments that promote resilience, regeneration, and sustainability in the face of adversity—addressing challenges such as natural disasters, social disruptions, and environmental changes.

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