Ask any successful alumni what educational opportunities they found most valuable during their college experience and a common response is the connections they made with peers or professors outside of the traditional classroom setting.
The University of Maryland offers nearly 1000 clubs, fraternities and sororities, and sports groups on campus, from ultimate frisbee and acapella groups to robotics enthusiasts and service organizations. At Maryland, there is something for everyone. In addition, the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation offers many opportunities for students to experience student life, engage in life-changing projects and community engagement, and make enduring friendships within our tight-knit school. Details on organizations at MAPP are below.
Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? Form your own group! All you need is eight people with a shared interest. And you can always have fun attending the hundreds of cultural events, movies, lectures, and concerts held on campus each year.
Alpha Rho Chi (APX)
APX is the national fraternity for architecture and the allied arts. Its brotherhood unites men and women for the purpose of fellowship and lifelong friendships and mutual interest in professional development. This is exemplified by the fraternity's motto: Fidelitas, Amor et Artesor, "Fidelity and Love of the Arts."
Advisor:
Brittany Williams, AIA LEED AP
blwill@umd.edu
Assistant Clinical Professor, Architecture
Contact:
apxumd@gmail.com
Website:
www.alpharhochi.org
Social Media:
Instagram
Architecture in the Schools (AIS)
Architecture in the Schools (AIS) matches volunteer architects with public school teachers to enrich the learning experience of children. AIS reinforces core academic skills and teaches children how to exercise their analytical and creative skills through the architectural design process. AIS fosters a heightened civic consciousness, bridging the gap between what is learned in school and everyday life.
Advisors:
Madlen Simon, AIA
mgsimon@umd.edu
Professor, Architecture
Contact:
mgsimon@umd.edu
Architecture Student Assembly (ASA)
The Architecture Student Assembly consists of all students enrolled in the Architecture Program including undergraduate and graduate students. The ASA provides official student representation to the Architecture Program Assembly and is the source from which student representatives are selected for membership in the program's committees.
Advisor:
Ken Filler, AIA
kfiller@umd.edu
Interim Assistant Director, Undergraduate Architecture
Lecturer
Social Media:
Facebook
American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)
The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) is an independent, non-profit organization committed to promoting excellence in architectural education, training, and practice. Nationally recognized, the University of Maryland AIAS chapter belongs to a community of architecture students across the country devoted to bettering the educational and professional experience of its members. By hosting social, professional, academic, and service events, AIAS offers its members the opportunity to become more active in their scholastic careers.
Advisor:
Jamie Tilghman, AIA
jwt@umd.edu
Associate Clinical Professor
Contact:
aiasumd@gmail.com
Website:
aiasumd.wixsite.com/aiasumd
Social Media:
Facebook
Historic Preservation Organization (HiPO)
The Historic Preservation Organization (HiPO) provides students who are working towards any historic preservation degree with opportunities to further engage the preservation community at the University of Maryland and beyond. Founded in 2004, our student-run organization offers lectures, site visits, and social events that connect Maryland students to current preservation issues, job opportunities, and the great group of people that make up the Historic Preservation Program at the University of Maryland.
Advisor:
Donald Linebaugh
dwline@umd.edu
Interim Director, Historic Preservation
Social Media:
Facebook
LGBTQIA+ Design Collective
The LGBTQIA+ Design Collective is a student group dedicated to providing a voice, increasing visibility, and fostering connections to professionals for MAPP’s LGBTQIA students.
Advisor:
Brittany Williams, AIA LEED AP
blwill@umd.edu
Assistant Clinical Professor
Student Contact:
Yash Agarwal
yagarwal@terpmail.umd.edu
National Organization of Minority Architects Students (NOMAS)
NOMAS celebrates diversity in the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation through programs and initiatives. As architects, we remain conscious of the continuing deteriorating physical, economic, social and political fabric of this country. The various cultures and experiences that students bring to the table will aid in defining solutions that will ensure a healthy living and working environment for all communities.
Advisor:
Georgeanne Matthews
gmatthew@umd.edu
Assistant Professor, Architecture
Contact:
nomasumd.pres@gmail.com
Society of Real Estate Development (SoRED)
SoRED Mission:
- Encourage interdisciplinary interaction between students and collaborative education for a sustainable future
- Facilitate relationships between students and industry professionals
- Support the holistic approach to real estate development promoted by the quadruple bottom line concept
Membership Benefits Include:
Network & Resume Builder, Industry Lecture Series and Virtual events - Happy Hours and Site Visits
Officers:
President: William Christian
Vice President: Bethlehem Wolde
Secretary: Webster Allen
Treasurer: Armando Alvarado
Advisors:
UMD Advisor: Carrie Chard, Assistant Director, Colvin Institute of Real Estate Development
Professional Advisor: Akiel Pyant
Members – all MRED students
SoRED Contact:
Carrie Chard, Assistant Director, Colvin Institute of Real Estate Development
cchard@umd.edu
Website:
TerpLink
Social Media:
Facebook
Student Planning Association (SPA)
The Student Planning Association (SPA) is an organization of students working toward a Master of Community Planning (M.C.P.) degree in the Urban Studies and Planning Program at the University of Maryland. Its primary function is to promote student involvement in the continued development of the planning program and profession, but it also provides a casual atmosphere in which students, faculty, and staff can interact socially as well as intellectually.
The SPA:
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Functions as a liaison between faculty and students, and attends monthly faculty meetings
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Serves as the "voice" for the URSP student population
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Plans student social activities and promotes educational activities and lectures on campus and in the region
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Works to strengthen the connection between current students and program alumni
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Coordinates activities with the university's Graduate Student Government
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Plans the URSP student trip to the American Planning Association's annual conference, held each spring
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Appoints student representatives to attend APA meetings of the National Capital Area Chapter, and the Maryland Chapter
Officers are elected each spring to replace those who are graduating. If you are thinking about running for office, and would like more information about the duties involved, please contact any of the current officers.
Officers:
Sam Gordon, President
stg12793@umd.edu
Maura Dwyer, Treasurer
mdwyer22@umd.edu
Jona Elson, Secretary
mdwyer22@umd.edu
Alanna Anderson, Executive Board Member
aander23@umd.edu
Annonya Islam, Executive Board Member
aislam17@umd.edu
Megan Ravert, Executive Board Member
mravert@umd.edu
Advisor:
Ariel Bierbaum, Assistant Professor, Urban Studies & Planning
bierbaum@umd.edu
American Planning Association (APA) is a non-profit public interest and research organization representing 30,000 practicing planners, officials, and citizens involved with urban and rural planning issues. The organization has 46 regional chapters and 17 divisions of specialized planning interests. The American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is APA's professional and educational component, certifying planners who have met specific educational and experiential criteria and passed the certification. First year students receive a free year of membership to APA. Other full-time students interested in planning are eligible to join APA at a reduced cost. It's the best way to establish a solid professional foundation at the very beginning of your career. The New Planner, an online newsletter written by and for planning students, discusses what your peers are doing around the country. Chapter meetings and other functions foster networking and learning about planning in the real world. When you submit your membership form, remember to also join your local APA chapter, either the National Capital Area Chapter, or the Maryland Chapter.
Graduate Student Government (GSG) ensures that University of Maryland graduate concerns and opinions are represented on campus. The goals of GSG are to provide a measure of independent attention to university policies and services that affect graduate students, emphasize and encourage the growth of departmental grad organizations, and encourage a greater sense of community among graduate students. You are invited to social events organized by the GSG; there are several each semester.
University Senate provides an opportunity for faculty, staff, students, and administrators to participate in campus governance. The primary function of the senate is to advise the president on "virtually all campus policy matters and concerns, including but not limited to: education, budget, personnel, campus-community, long range plans, facilities, and faculty, staff and student affairs (subject to the limitations imposed by laws or mandates from the University of Maryland System Board of Regents or the Chancellor)”.
Women in Architecture (WIA)
In a field that is predominantly male, it is vital to fill the absence of a well-established community to specifically empower women. Through weekly meetings and planned events, members discuss and understand how to empower women within the discipline as well as build a network of aspiring and established female architects and designers. If this is something you are interested in being apart of, please join our professional organization. Both men and women are encouraged to participate and become members of WIA.
Advisor:
Julia Klineberg
juliamk@umd.edu
Lecturer
Contact:
wiacollegepark@gmail.com
Social Media:
Facebook