A group of students in Zilker Park with kites they made
STUDENT AFFAIRS

The Student Affairs team serves as a resource in support of all School of Architecture students achieving their academic and professional goals.

In serving the UTSOA community, the Student Affairs staff is committed to providing the coordination and support for a range of student services, programming, and special events. This includes counseling students on academic or professional matters, personal development and support, coordinating student activities, as well as implementing policies and procedures relevant to student life.

As a primary ambition, the Student Affairs Office aims to create an exceptional and respectful learning and living environment for the entirety of the School of Architecture's student body. 

ASSISTANT DEAN FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS

UNDERGRADUATE OFFICE

SCHOLARSHIPS

GRADUATE OFFICE

CAREER SERVICES

STUDENT LIFE

Group shot of students in Ecuador in front of rolling green hills
Student wearing a VR headset
Studio trip to Puebla, Mexico
Students standing in a group wearing hard hats and neon yellow construction vests
A student points at a large wooden model while a faculty member and other students look on
A student welding in the Build Lab
A student in a hat wearing headphones while he works in studio on a model
Two students in black studying a pin-up with two large architecture models in the foreground
Two students seen working together in studio
Two boys in green carrying a table with a large architecture model on it
Various sketches and drawings pinned up on a wall
Two rows of desks with chairs on either side filled with people participating in a mock interview
Goldsmith Courtyard
An exhibition on display in the Mebane Gallery

DEAN'S AMBASSADORS

The Dean's Ambassadors are faculty-nominated undergraduate and graduate student representatives from all academic programs who show an active desire to enrich the school. These students are available to give tours of the School of Architecture and share experiences about their programs, the school, and Austin with prospective students.

Ask an Ambassador if you have a question for a current student or would like to be put in touch with one of our Ambassadors.

STUDENT AFFAIRS CAMPUS PARTNERS

COUNSELORS IN ACADEMIC RESIDENCE PROGRAM (CARE)

CARE is a program of the Counseling and Mental Health Center that locates licensed mental health professionals within the colleges they serve. CARE Counselors get to know the concerns that are unique to their college's students, and are available to help with a variety of issues such as stress, test anxiety, racing thoughts, feeling unmotivated, and anything else that might get in students' way. The School of Architecture's dedicated CARE Counselor is Lauren Sanchez, LCSW.

STUDENT OUTREACH AND SUPPORT

Student Outreach and Support helps students and their families during situations with extenuating circumstances. Assistance includes outreach, advocacy, intervention, support, and referrals to relevant campus and community resources.

FOLLOW US

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  • Instagram Post
    What is architecture’s role in shaping a sustainable and connected future? On Oct. 6, Marion Weiss and Michael Manfredi will examine that in their lecture, “DRIFTING SYMMETRIES: PROJECTS AND PROVOCATIONS.” <br>
    @utsoa

    What is architecture’s role in shaping a sustainable and connected future? On Oct. 6, Marion Weiss and Michael Manfredi will examine that in their lecture, “DRIFTING SYMMETRIES: PROJECTS AND PROVOCATIONS.”

  • Instagram Post
    📝 Applications are open for 2026-2027 undergraduate and graduate programs! <br><br>Apply today to join an interdisciplinary community of designers, planners, and scholars committed to creative exploration, ambitious scholarship and critical practice. <br><br>UTSOA at a glance:
    @utsoa

    📝 Applications are open for 2026-2027 undergraduate and graduate programs!

    Apply today to join an interdisciplinary community of designers, planners, and scholars committed to creative exploration, ambitious scholarship and critical practice.

    UTSOA at a glance:

  • Instagram Post
    Discover the hidden narrative of one of the world’s largest distributed freshwater reserves: aquifers. <br>
    @utsoa

    Discover the hidden narrative of one of the world’s largest distributed freshwater reserves: aquifers.

  • Instagram Post
    On Sept. 29, architectural designer, researcher and UTSOA visiting lecturer Toshiki Hirano (@artitec of @thd_arch) joins us for his lecture, "AESTHETICS OF (IN)EXCESS." <br>
    @utsoa

    On Sept. 29, architectural designer, researcher and UTSOA visiting lecturer Toshiki Hirano (@artitec of @thd_arch) joins us for his lecture, "AESTHETICS OF (IN)EXCESS."

  • Instagram Post
    🎉 We are thrilled to announce that Jessica Garza (BSID '26) has won the 2025 Senior Student Scholarship from the Angelo Donghia Foundation! Jessica Garza is one of 15 undergraduate interior design students in North America to receive this honor this year in the form of a $30,000 scholarship.
    @utsoa

    🎉 We are thrilled to announce that Jessica Garza (BSID '26) has won the 2025 Senior Student Scholarship from the Angelo Donghia Foundation! Jessica Garza is one of 15 undergraduate interior design students in North America to receive this honor this year in the form of a $30,000 scholarship.

  • Instagram Post
    Matt Fajkus already holds the titles of licensed architect, multiple award winner and Austin Design Icon. Now, he adds another achievement to his list: a promotion to Full Professor of Architecture. <br>
    @utsoa

    Matt Fajkus already holds the titles of licensed architect, multiple award winner and Austin Design Icon. Now, he adds another achievement to his list: a promotion to Full Professor of Architecture.

  • Instagram Post
    Master of Interior Design students Yuzheng Gan and Stephanie Belov win 2nd place for their project, “HYDROCOMMONS,” in the Student Commercial Design Category at the @ASID_hq's 2025 Celebrating Design Texas Awards! <br>
    @utsoa

    Master of Interior Design students Yuzheng Gan and Stephanie Belov win 2nd place for their project, “HYDROCOMMONS,” in the Student Commercial Design Category at the @ASID_hq's 2025 Celebrating Design Texas Awards!

  • Instagram Post
    ANOMALIES &amp; ORDER: GRAMMARS OF ANONYMOUS ARCHITECTURES ⋅ Come explore the uneasy alliance between system and rupture, form and formlessness, through the lens of “anonymous architectures.” <br>
    @utsoa

    ANOMALIES & ORDER: GRAMMARS OF ANONYMOUS ARCHITECTURES ⋅ Come explore the uneasy alliance between system and rupture, form and formlessness, through the lens of “anonymous architectures.”

  • Instagram Post
    🎉 Congratulations are in order for @cldavis_ii and @tdudleyphd! <br><br>The Mellon Foundation recognized their contributions to exploring untold narratives and expanding the architectural canon. <br>
    @utsoa

    🎉 Congratulations are in order for @cldavis_ii and @tdudleyphd!

    The Mellon Foundation recognized their contributions to exploring untold narratives and expanding the architectural canon.