January 12, 2016

Download PDF Press Release

Washington, D.C. – January 12, 2015 – Annually at American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) FORUM conference, chapter leaders are called upon to elect the new incoming board of directors for the organization. This year’s Call for Candidates saw a remarkable number of members stepping up to take on these leadership positions. For the elections during FORUM 2015 each open position had at least two candidates; one race had up to six candidates. 

2016-2017 AIAS Board of Directors

  • President: Sarah Wahlgren, Auburn University
  • Vice President: Rachel Law, Ryerson University
  • Northeast Quad Director: Clayton Daher, Roger Williams University
  • South Quad Director: Jenn Elder, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • Midwest Quad Director: Jeremy Gentile, Illinois Institute of Technology
  • West Quad Director: Elizabeth Seidel, Montana State University

“The Council of Presidents had a very challenging decision to make with a highly qualified listing of candidates. After a grappling four days, I am very proud of the board our membership has elected and cannot wait to see where our 60th year takes us,” said current AIAS President Danielle Mitchell.

President-elect Sarah Wahlgren said she’s looking forward to the year ahead. “Our incoming board is made up of incredibly talented and inspiring leaders who will propel us into a year of growth and momentum for the AIAS.”

Vice President-elect Rachel Law said she is “humbled and honored that our membership had put so much confidence in us all, and we will surely make them proud. Our current board is fearless and our incoming board is eager to get started.”

This year the election took place in San Francisco, CA during the four-day conference from December 29, 2015-January 1, 2016. Those elected serve a one-year term on the AIAS Board of Directors, during this time the President and Vice President relocate to the national office in Washington, D.C. and work as full-time employees of the AIAS.

The newly elected board officially begins their duties on the 1st of July, and will be sworn in during Grassroots 2016. In the six-month lead up to commencing their terms, the board-elect will work closely with their predecessors to become familiar with their role on the board, including a three-day orientation concurrent with the Spring Board of Directors Meeting.