STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Through involvement at the A-School and across Grounds, students build community, explore their interests, and contribute to shaping more just, sustainable, and healthy futures.
Student organizations play a vital role in the life of the School of Architecture, and student leaders help advance a culture of shared governance and collaboration. The Council of Presidents, a group of student leaders, supports these organizations by:
- Fostering collaboration and communication across student groups.
- Amplifying student voices on issues that impact the A-School community.
- Supporting the effective operation and sustainability of student organizations.
For questions about A-School student organizations or how to get involved, contact Associate Dean of Student Affairs Cindy Kiefer.
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE STUDENT COUNCIL (A-SCHOOL STUDCO)
The School of Architecture Student Council serves as the elected voice of the student body, representing all programs and years. It bridges communication between students, faculty, staff, and administration while advocating for students' needs, concerns, and ideas. Student Council serves the A-School through social, community building, and service events and initiatives.
Contact: aschoolstudco@gmail.com
The following Contracted Independent Organizations (CIOs)* are student organizations who are members of the School of Architecture’s Council of Presidents.
*Non-Affiliation Statement: Although these organizations have members who are UVA students and may have University employees associated or engaged in their activities and affairs, the organizations are not a part of or an agency of the University. They are separate and independent organizations that are responsible for and manage their own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise, or control the organizations and is not responsible for the organizations’ contracts, acts, or omissions.
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS - UVA CHAPTER (AIAS)
AIAS is a national student-run organization that diversifies architectural education. The UVA chapter provides professional, service, social, leadership, and travel opportunities. The group's mission is to provide a more sustainable, healthy, and equitable future through the empowerment of student voices, ideas, and actions.
Contact: uva@aias.org
CE+ (PHD STUDENT ORGANIZATION)
CE+ represents all students and candidates in the Doctoral Program in the Constructed Environment at the University of Virginia School of Architecture. The group's mission is to represent the program’s students and candidates, advocating for their well-being and needs and serving as the group’s official voice within the University. CE+ encourages civil dialogue and stimulates interdisciplinary research and collaboration across all cohorts.
Contact: uva.cephd@gmail.com
MANIFESTA: EQUITY IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT AT UVA SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
manifestA is a collectively-led organization, facilitated by students, that aims to foster meaningful conversations and educational programming in order to strengthen the A-School community's ability to address issues of justice and equity in academic, professional, and community work.
Contact: manifestauva@gmail.com
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF MINORITY ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS - UVA CHAPTER (NOMAS)
NOMAS seeks to foster communication, cooperation, solidarity, and fellowship among minority students of architecture. Historically, "minority" status has included but has not been limited to persons of underrepresented racial or ethnic groups as well as women and LGBTQ+ students. Whereas the activities are geared towards these minority groups, NOMAS at UVA is non-discriminatory and openly welcomes and encourages students of any background to join.
Contact: nomasatuva@gmail.com
SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIANS (SAH-UVA)
The goal of SAH-UVA is to create an open, trusting, and enlightening dialogue between students, faculty, and staff as they elevate Architectural History. SAH-UVA hosts lectures by distinguished scholars, coordinates guided trips to historic sites, arranges social events for students and faculty, engages with the community, and considers the changing discourse of our discipline.
Contact: uvasah@virginia.edu
STUDENT ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATE ARCHITECTS (SAGA)
The Student Association of Graduate Architects (SAGA) at the University of Virginia is dedicated to representing and supporting graduate architecture students within the School of Architecture. The group's mission is to foster a vibrant, inclusive community, empowering members through professional development, collaboration and advocacy, while promoting architectural excellence, social responsibility, and the exchange of critical information.
Contact: saga@virginia.edu
STUDENT ASSOCIATION OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN (SALAD)
The Student Association of Landscape Architects highlights roles that landscape architects have in stewarding and designing for ecological systems across multiple scales. SALAD seeks to strengthen connections between design disciplines and to the community at large. To achieve these aims, SALAD brings lecturers, organizes career and social events, and coordinates volunteer opportunities for Landscape Architecture students throughout the year. In addition to bringing outside resources into the school, SALAD sponsors open studios with local partners, internship and portfolio discussions, and other activities to promote interaction and learning.
Contact: SALAD_UVA@outlook.com
STUDENT PLANNERS ASSOCIATION (SPA)
The Student Planners Association (SPA) promotes the general understanding of urban planning practice at UVA and the School of Architecture and supports the professional and academic development of its members. SPA is a Planning Student Organization (PSO) as defined by the American Planning Association (APA).
Contact: spa-executives@virginia.edu
Virginia Society of Architecture and Planning (VSAP)
The Virginia Society of Architecture and Planning (VSAP) is a student-led organization that aims to create relationships among students of all years and disciplines through philanthropic, educational, and social events. Members are provided opportunities to further their leadership involvement, career development, and connections with other students through consistent programming that is centered around its three main pillars of philanthropy, professional development, and relationship‑building.
Contact: vsap.uva@gmail.com
UVA HONOR COMMITTEE
The Committee is comprised of students from each school within the University and is responsible for conducting honor trials, investigations, and educational sessions. The School of Architecture Student Council selects two student representatives to serve.
School of Architecture Representative: Andy Lin, BS Arch '27
School of Architecture Representative: Sajani Silla, BS Arch '27
UVA JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
The University Judiciary Committee is the student-run judiciary body of the University of Virginia and is authorized to investigate and adjudicate alleged violations of the University's Standards of Conduct. The School of Architecture Student Council selects two student representatives to serve.
School of Architecture Representative: Ambreen Gandhi, BS Arch ‘28
School of Architecture Representative: Rachel Borowsky, BS Arch ‘27
UVA STUDENT COUNCIL
The student governing body of the University of Virginia. Elections are run by the Student Council and occur at the beginning of November. The School of Architecture Student Council selects one student representative to serve.
School of Architecture Representative: Philippe Hempel, BS Arch ‘27