College of the Canyons Alumna Interview

“When  I attended the Women Who Weld event at College of the Canyons, little did I know that it would be the catalyst for my career switch into architecture,” Reese reflects. “Flipping through the school’s program catalogue, I stumbled upon the architecture program, which resonated with my work as a scenic carpenter for theater productions. “Sustainability was my initial driving force to pursue architecture,” Reese confesses. Witnessing the staggering waste generated in theater design propelled her desire to create a positive impact on society. She now sees sustainable architecture transitioning from a niche field to a vital requirement, driven by the urgent need to address climate change and design buildings for extreme conditions.” Attending a school that took architecture seriously allowed Reese to grasp the importance of mastering the tools of the trade. “Theory and design ideology can flourish when built upon a solid foundation of practical skills,” she explains. Comparing her progress in her Master of Architecture program, she acknowledges the advantage of understanding the tools and techniques essential to the trade.

Since graduating from College of the Canyons, Reese has enrolled in a 3+ M.Arch program at Arizona State University and currently works as a design intern at Shepley Bulfinch, an architecture firm. Passionate about healthcare architecture, she has been actively involved in related projects while also aiming to pursue licensure.