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
Associate Clinical Professor, Architecture
Contact:
apxumd@gmail.com
Website:
www.alpharhochi.org
Social Media:
Instagram
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
Assistant Director, Undergraduate Architecture
Assistant Clinical Professor
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:
Marcus Cross
mcross@umd.edu
Lecturer
Contact:
aiasumd@gmail.com
Website:
aiasumd.wixsite.com/aiasumd
Social Media:
Facebook
Future Architects of the Middle East (FAME)
The mission of Future Architects of the Middle East is to celebrate historical and modern contributions by MENA and SWANA artists, activists, and architects to the global community, with a focus on the Middle East. The purpose of this club/organization shall be shedding light on non-European modes of architectural thought and expression and celebrate historical and modern contributions by Middle Eastern artists, activists, and architects to the global community.
Advisor:
Michele Lamprakos
mlamprak@umd.edu
Associate Professor
Contact:
fame.umaryland@gmail.com
Website:
terplink.umd.edu/organization/fame
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:
Susan Kern
skern@umd.edu
Director, Historic Preservation
Contact
umd-hipo@umd.edu
Social Media:
Facebook
LatinX Architects United
At the University of Maryland, we are proud to establish Latinx Architects United, a dynamic student organization committed to enriching the architecture school experience by fostering inclusivity, diversity, and the vibrant cultural tapestry that defines our Latino heritage. Recognizing the underrepresentation of Latino voices in the field, we are driven to amplify our presence, contribute meaningfully to architectural discourse, and elevate the awareness of Latino culture in higher education.
Advisor:
Michael Abrams
mabrams4@umd.edu
Clinical Professor, Architecture
Contact:
latinxarch.umd@gmail.com
Website:
terplink.umd.edu/organization/latinxarchitectsunited
Social Media:
Instagram
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
Associate Clinical Professor, Architecture
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
Website:
https://linktr.ee/nomasumd
Ombuds
The Ombuds group works directly with faculty and admin.
Advisor:
Ken Filler
kfiller@umd.edu
Assistant Director & Assistant Clinical Professor, Architecture
The Real Estate Club
The Real Estate Club's Mission:
The purpose of the club shall be to explore the wealth building opportunities of Real Estate through, but not limited to, the education of market conditions, financing, investing, rehabbing (“flipping”), management, and developing. Our vision for the club is to create an interactive learning environment, where members are able to share various connections and resources, in order to gain knowledge and experience in their preferred field of real estate.
Pillars:
- Provide members with the tools to be successful in their desired Real Estate field
- Inform members about trends within the real estate industry through events and discussions with professionals
- Promote an environment that fosters collaboration and constant growth towards personal development
Faculty Advisor:
Jeffrey Milton
jmilton@umd.edu
Associate Clinical Professor
Contact:
rec.umd@gmail.com
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:
Functions as a liaison between faculty and students, and attends monthly faculty meetings
Serves as the "voice" for the URSP student population
Plans student social activities and promotes educational activities and lectures on campus and in the region
Works to strengthen the connection between current students and program alumni
Coordinates activities with the university's Graduate Student Government
Plans the URSP student trip to the American Planning Association's annual conference, held each spring
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 the advisor.
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