About Us
Meet the AIAS Board
Izzy Conway - AIAS President
Izzy is serving as this year’s AIAS President.
Izzy is in her fourth year of the Bachelor of Science Architecture program at the University of Minnesota. She began her career in architecture after enjoying art and mathematics in high school. She believes architecture is a tangible way of positively impacting someone’s life, and hopes to work on commercial projects like healthcare and education buildings. Outside of studio, she enjoys cooking, watching TV, and listening to music.
-Izzy Conway
Kent Loiseaux-Purcell - AIAS Vice-President
Kent is serving as this year’s AIAS Vice-President.
Kent previously held the position of FBD Director for 2023-2024 and served as the FBD project manager from 2021-2023. He is in his fourth year in the Bachelor of Science program at the University of Minnesota with a minor in Interior Environments. Kent is passionate about designing architecture that is community-focused and accessible to everyone. He aims to actively involve his studio peers in AIAS. Beyond his academic pursuits, Kent enjoys mountain biking, cooking, barbecuing, and playing the piano.
-Kent Loiseaux-Purcell
Elizabeth Cremeans - AIAS Treasurer
Elizabeth is serving as this year’s Treasurer.
Elizabeth is in her fourth year of the Bachelor of Science Architecture program at the University of Minnesota. She has always wanted to help people and has strived to support others and make positive changes when needed. In addition to her long time interest in architecture, she feels it is a great avenue for helping others and the environment. Through studying architecture and sustainability, she has been fortunate enough to learn about the world and how to make an impact. Outside of studio, she likes to be outside and be active as well as play the Sims.
-Elizabeth Cremeans
Halle St. Martin - AIAS Secretary
Halle is serving as this year’s Secretary.
Halle is in her third year of the Bachelor of Science Architecture program at the University of Minnesota and is also minoring in Interior Environments. Halle is studying architecture since she has always loved art, design, and mathematics. She also has a passion for working with people and forming new relationships. She dreams of designing residential single-family homes to fit the specific needs of each individual she works with in the future. Outside of studio and class, Halle enjoys reading, drawing, painting, and spending time with her friends and family.
-Halle St. Martin
Beau Gaulin - AIAS Public Relations Chair
Beau is serving as this year’s AIA Co-Public Relations Chair.
Beau is in his fourth year of the Bachelor of Design Architecture program at the University of Minnesota and will be graduating this fall. When he was in high school, he did not know what he wanted to do, but knew that he loved LEGOs, working with his hands, and creating physical art. He was also incredibly visual. These realizations led him to architecture and he knew it was the perfect fit immediately. Outside of studio, he loves to bike, restore furniture/building projects, cook, and occasionally paint.
-Beau Gaulin
Raegan Olm - AIAS Public Relations Chair
Raegan is serving as this year’s Co-Public Relations Chair.
Raegan is in her second year of the Bachelor of Science Architecture program at the University of Minnesota. She chose to study architecture because she hopes to shape environments to enhance lives. Outside of studio, she loves playing tennis and painting.
-Raegan Olm
Angel Sanchez - AIAS Events Coordinator
Angel is serving as this year’s Events Coordinator.
Angel is in his third year in the Bachelor of Design Architecture program at the University of Minnesota. He chose to study architecture because he wants to explore sustainability within the profession. Outside of studio, he likes to play soccer, play guitar, and chill with his cats.
-Angel Sanchez
Lindsy Dawson - AIAS Professional Committee Chair
Lindsy is serving as this year’s Professional Committee Chair.
Lindsy is in her fourth year of the Bachelor of Science Architecture program at the University of Minnesota. She is studying architecture because it provides her with new understandings of the world around her and the people in it. She thinks that the built/urban environment has a ton of connections when it comes to culture, social issues, and psychology. In the future, she hopes to work within design initiatives to dismantle inequity and injustice for both people and wildlife that is perpetuated by the built environment. She also hopes to create new spaces that facilitate sustainability and equity. Outside of studio, she enjoys hiking, painting, reading, swimming, traveling, and hanging out with friends.
-Lindsy Dawson
Hannah Schaffer - AIAS Membership Committee Chair
Hannah is serving as this year’s Membership Committee Chair.
Hannah is in her fourth year of the Bachelor of Science Architecture program at the University of Minnesota. She is studying architecture because she has loved designing since she was a kid and is fascinated with how technology, functionality, and beauty intersect with architecture. Outside of studio, she likes to read and go on hikes or long walks.
-Hannah Schaffer
Ailie Larson - AIAS Bachelor of Science Representative
Allie is serving as this year’s Bachelor of Science Representative.
Ailie is in her third year in the Interior Design program at the University of Minnesota. She plans to pursue a Master’s in Architecture upon completing her undergraduate degree. Ailie is passionate about historic preservation and enjoys developing research-based design solutions and strategies. Outside of academics, she likes reading, traveling, crocheting, baking, and spending time outdoors. Ailie is excited to be a part of AIAS and looks forward to learning more about the architecture field, as well as connecting with design leaders and fellow students outside of her program.
-Allie Larson
Malia Bronson - AIAS Bachelor of Design Representative
Malia is serving as this year’s Bachelor of Design Representative.
Malia is in her third year of the Bachelor of Design Architecture program at the University of Minnesota. She is studying architecture because it provides her with the most holistic approach to design, and she has always loved it. Outside of class and studio, she loves being a part of a local ministry, hanging out with friends, and family, and pursuing art, design, and photography.
-Malia Bronson
Courtney Biggs - AIAS Freedom By Design Historian
Courtney is serving as this year’s FBD Historian.
Courtney is in her second year of the Bachelor of Science Architecture program at the University of Minnesota. From a young age, she has enjoyed designing and constructing school projects. Now and in the future, she wants to focus on designing accessible spaces for those with different disabilities. Outside of class and studio, she enjoys traveling domestically and internationally, watching movies, trying out new food recipes, going to concerts, and hiking.
-Courtney Biggs
Mariangel Meza - AIAS EDI Committee Chair
Mariangel is serving as this year’s EDI Committee Chair
Mariangel is in her final year of the Master of Science in Architecture Applied Research in Practice at the University of Minnesota. She is studying architecture because it is a multidisciplinary tool that seamlessly integrates philosophy, user experience, theory, history, ways of knowing the world, and design, with the capability to result in tangible realities. Architecture shapes the environments where we live, work, and connect, making it powerful in crafting meaningful, everyday experiences. This is why she believes it is a vital medium for fostering inclusion—it has the unique ability to reflect, and empower the complexities of human relationships, intersectional identities, culture, and communities in profound and impactful ways. Outside of class and studio, she is a yoga instructor who loves reading and drawing everything, from animals to objects and buildings. She also enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, and riding her bike!
-Mariangel Meza
Maria Berg - AIAS Graduate Representative
Make it stand out
Maria is in her second year of the Master's in Architecture graduate program at the University of Minnesota. She did the Bachelor of Science program at the U of MN for her undergrad and was involved with AIAS throughout her years in the program. After working at a firm in Chicago for a few years, she returned back to school with the goal of getting licensed. Outside of school, she likes to run and cross-country ski.
Christina Powers - AIAS Pre-Architecture Representative
Christina is serving as one of this year’s Pre-Architecture Representatives
Christina is in her first year of the Pre-Architecture major at the University of Minnesota and plans on pursuing the Bachelors of Science route. She is studying architecture because it has always fascinated her since it is always moving forward. It focuses on the future of culture and technology and how to bring that into the present. In doing so, it creates an incredible process of design and implementation. Outside of class, she loves to play her saxophone, cook, and paint!
-Christina Powers
Twyla Paska - AIAS Pre-Architecture Representative
Twyla is serving as one of this year’s Pre-Architecture Representatives
Twyla is in her first year of the Pre-Architecture major at the University of Minnesota. Besides her love for architecture, particularly 1880s to 1920s, she loves to draw and listen to music. She is also a member of the UMN Robotics and UMN Taekwondo.
-Twyla Paska
Anna Alvarez - AIAS Pre-Architecture Representative
Anna is serving as one of this year’s Pre-Architecture Representatives
Anna is in her first year of the Pre-Architecture major at the University of Minnesota. She is studying architecture because it has always been something she has been interested in and hopes to work in residential architecture in the future. Outside of class, she loves theater, watching motorsports, listening to music, and hanging out with friends and her dog!
-Anna Alvarez
Haakon Hanson - AIAS Student Licensing Advisor
Haakon is serving as this year’s Student Licensing Advisor.
Haakon is in his second year of the Bachelor of Science Architecture program at the University of Minnesota. Working at Habitat for Humanity as well as his interest in design and houses led him into architecture. The process of working on an idea between clients, engineers, landscapers, and contractors is one of the things that excites him about residential architecture specifically. Outside of class and school, he loves playing spikeball and pickleball and also enjoys being at the lake.
-Haakon Hanson
Freedom By Design Board
Nate Gehrz - AIAS Freedom By Design Director
Nate is serving as this year’s Freedom By Design Director
Nate is in his third year of the Bachelor of Science Architecture program. He chose architecture because of his passion for design and the opportunity to create spaces that inspire and serve others. He enjoys the creative challenge of balancing functionality with lighting to shape practical and visually engaging environments. Outside of class and studio, he loves to focus on designing furniture, sketching, and exploring the world through hiking and kayaking.
-Nate Gehrz
Henry Ly - AIAS Freedom By Design Project Manager
Henry is serving as this year’s Freedom By Design Project Manager.
Henry is in his third year of the Bachelor of Science Architecture program at the University of Minnesota. He chose architecture because he enjoys creating a physical form from his own imagination. He also loves understanding how buildings are constructed and formed from paper to the real world. He likes to read, listen to music, and go to the gym in his spare time.
-Henry Ly
Maverick Almich - AIAS Freedom By Design Secretary
Maverick is serving as this year’s Freedom By Design Secretary.
Maverick is in his third year in the Bachelor of Science Architecture program at the University of Minnesota. He has a broad interest in architecture, with a special passion for historic preservation and sustainable design. When he is not diving into his studies, you’ll find him exploring the great outdoors or practicing mixed martial arts. He is excited to bring his enthusiasm and energy to this role and looks forward to connecting with all of you!
-Maverick Almich
Nicole Palsgrove - AIAS Freedom By Design Treasurer
Nicole is serving as this year’s Freedom By Design Treasurer
Nicole is in her third year of the Bachelor of Science Architecture program at the University of Minnesota. She transitioned from pre-physical therapy to architecture after discovering a passion for designing and restoring spaces that enhance the built environment and better serve its occupants. The challenge of balancing creative freedom with functionality through the iterative design process has been both a rewarding and enjoyable lesson for her, and it's something she looks forward to continuing in the future. She also appreciates how architecture can engage with and support the broader community, thanks to its interdisciplinary nature. Outside of studio, she enjoy helping friends and family with home and yard projects, sketching, exploring new book series, and finding new experiences.
-Nicole Palsgrove