Studying architecture gets expensive. However, Miami University does its best to financially accommodate its students, like it did for 2018 architecture graduate Austin Hogans.

Her work as an architectural designer at Trapolin-Peer Architects in New Orleans would have happened a lot later for her without Miami, as the 5-7% interest on federal student loans would have forced her to pay for her supplies like design software, materials and printing with her living expenses.

Hogans, who experienced homelessness throughout high school, received a donated design kit and a scholarship to buy a new laptop from Miami in her first year, without ever having to prove her needs. Inspired by the important help she received while still in school, Hogans is now organizing a donation campaign for today’s first-year architecture students.

Along with the National Organization for Minority Architects’ (NOMA) Louisiana chapter, Hogans asks Louisiana universities to gather funds and gently used supplies from architecture graduates’ time in school. Students can register their interest on a public form that NOMA then learns from. 

For more information about Hogans and the NOMA Louisiana Design Kits campaign, visit www.nomala.org/design-kits or read more online.