MKSD is recognized as AIA PA EPiC Firm

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) advocates for the value of architecture, develops ethical standards and provides leadership opportunities for a network of over 95,000 licensed architects and associate members throughout the United States.  MKSD is proud to be a part of our local chapter, AIA Eastern PA.  Our office provides support for staff to maintain continuing education requirements, attend local meetings, and hold leadership roles.  This past November our office also received recognition as a 2019 AIA Pennsylvania EPiC Firm for our support and development of Emerging Professionals.

Two of our Emerging Professional staff members, Megan Henry and Andrew Mitchell, currently serve on the AIA Eastern PA board as Secretary and Associate Director, respectively.  They also serve on the AIA Pennsylvania Emerging Professions Committee (EPiC), a committee that represents architecture students, Associate members and Architects licensed for 10 years or less.  Additionally, Megan was recently appointed AIA Pennsylvania’s Regional Associate Director (RAD) to represent fellow Associate members as part of the National Associates Committee (NAC), as well as serve on the AIA Pennsylvania Board of Directors.

Megan recently had the opportunity to travel for two AIA events.  As the RAD, she had the opportunity to travel to Austin, TX in January for a joint meeting with fellow members of the NAC and the YAF (Young Architects Forum).  RAD’s and YARDS (Young Architect Regional Directors) across the U.S. came together for this meeting to hold discussions around advocacy, the future of the profession, value within the AIA, and more.  They had the opportunity to tour the Community First! Village, a community that provides affordable, permanent housing for men and women coming out of chronic homelessness.

As a component leader of a local AIA chapter, Megan also attended Grassroots in March down in New Orleans.  Grassroots is a yearly conference for component leaders on the national, state and chapter levels focused on developing leadership skills and advocacy.  This year’s theme was “the Big Move”, AIA’s push towards climate change.  Deep dive sessions were focused around equitable communities, diversity within the profession, and the value of architects as leaders within communities. 

MKSD is proud to be selected as a 2019 AIA EPiC firm!  We look forward to supporting the future of the profession through involvement with the AIA.