Grad Features

Lydia Mercante

Anonymous — Wed, 08 May 2024 16:22:02 +0000

Lydia Mercante Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 05/08/2024 - 10:22

Lydia Mercante, a distinguished graduate from Long Island, will earn her B.EnvD in sustainable planning & urban design with a minor in business real estate. She believes that the past four years at ENVD have made her into who she is today and taught her who she wants to become.

Where are you from?
Long Island, NY

Tell us about your involvement and/or student leadership roles in and/or outside of ENVD.
I have been involved in Kappa Alpha Theta for the past 4 years and served on the executive board as the Vice President of Panhellenic in 2022. Within ENVD I was the Professional Development Services Assistant and worked under Nate Jones. This helped me feel more involved in the ENVD community and allowed me to gain a lot of professional experience.

What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?
I have always known I wanted to do something with the built environment, but also not be an architect necessarily. I felt like ENVD offered a balance of design and a sustainability focus that was very attractive to me. I have also always been interested in merging urban design and commercial real estate so I knew I wanted to minor in business.

What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at CU Boulder that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
One of the greatest lessons I learned during college is that there are many aspects of life that can’t be controlled or are hard to manage and the only thing you can control is how you react. So, I have learned to react to hard situations with grace and kindness and try to always be the best version of myself.

Based on what you know now, what is your best piece of advice for other students?
My best piece of advice is to not take anything for granted. Life goes by fast and it’s important to take the time to enjoy it. Take time to do what you love and makes you happy, you are worth more than you may think.

Describe one of your favorite memories.
One of my favorite memories was getting to go to Paris in May with a class in ENVD. We had the opportunity to go around the city and see all different kinds of architecture, museums, and exhibits. We did a lot of walking and sketching but it was filled with laughs and fun times I will never forget.

What does graduating from college represent for you?
Graduating from college is a hard experience to put into words. It is nerve wracking, exciting, and bittersweet all at the same time. I am looking forward to what life has to hold but these last four years have made me into who I am and taught me who I want to become. I will always look at my time at CU and with ENVD fondly and hope that the rest of my life will be just as enjoyable as these past four years have been.

What are your plans beyond graduation?
Honestly I am not sure yet, I am currently working for a non-profit affordable housing developer and am planning to work with them through the summer. After that the goal is to move back to NY and start working in the urban design industry. I am trying to take everyday at a time and do my best to network and find a job that I love.

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Julia Rodriguez

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 21:00:27 +0000

Julia Rodriguez Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 04/28/2023 - 15:00

Julia Rodriguez, an architecture major from the San Francisco Bay Area, considers finding her community at CU Boulder as one of her greatest experiences at ENVD.

Thank you for making the past four years so memorable. We started off with in person studios together, we experienced online classes together, some of us studied abroad together, and now we get to graduate together.

Where are you from?
San Francisco Bay Area

Tell us about your involvement and/or student leadership roles in and/or outside of ENVD.
Throughout my time at Environmental Design, I served as the Executive Chair of the Environmental Design Diverse Scholars, Co-President of the American Institute of Architecture Students CU Boulder Chapter, and an ENVD First Year Experience Mentor. I spent two years working for the ENVD Marketing and Communications department where I got to design, film, and photograph content for the ENVD Program. Outside of ENVD, I got to serve as a CU Boulder Journey Leader, where I had the chance to give campus tours, speak at first year student orientation events, and host buff meetups. My involvement these past four years made my college experience so special!

What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?
I felt inspired to come to ENVD after learning all about the interdisciplinary approach. I loved that I would have the chance to take studios in architecture but also landscape architecture, urban planning, and product design. I felt like this would help me understand and appreciate all aspects of design, and even learn how to work with all kinds of designers in the future.

What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at CU Boulder that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
One of the greatest experiences from my time at CU Boulder has definitely been finding my community. Moving out of state and starting a new chapter of my life was exciting and intimidating all at once, but I quickly found people on campus that welcomed me, inspired me, and motivated me. Having people that brought out the best version of myself was by far one of my favorite experiences, and I plan to continue seeking those people out in the next chapter of my life.

Based on what you know now, what is your best piece of advice for other students?
My piece of advice for other students is to try out everything! Join the club, take the elective, do the semester abroad; you will learn so much about yourself. I found some of my closest friends and made some of my favorite memories through all kinds of experiences: ENVD student groups, different electives, and spending a semester in Barcelona, Spain.

Describe one of your favorite memories.
One of my favorite memories from Environmental Design is definitely in 2019, when we spent all of our time in the first year basement studios. One night, we were finishing our models together when I looked outside and noticed the sun was starting to rise. Somehow we worked all night, and while we were all feeling a bit delirious, one by one we started finishing our models and we were all just ecstatic. My friend and I would have to wait for the buff bus when it started to run again in the morning! We probably looked funny wandering out of the basement of ENVD with drawings tubes, tool boxes, and modeling materials. Even with those long nights, I wouldn’t trade the memories for anything.

If you could say anything to your classmates what would you say?
If I could say anything to all of my classmates, I’d say thank you for making the past four years so memorable. We started off with in person studios together, we experienced online classes together, some of us studied abroad together, and now we get to graduate together. This ENVD community has been so special and I feel super grateful for my peers.

What does graduating from college represent for you?
Graduating from college represents so many things to me. Firstly, it's the celebration of years of hard work. It’s also a representation of my family, who has worked extremely hard to support me in this process. My father immigrated to the United States for a better future, and he and my mother have given my sister and I exactly that. Lastly, graduating from college represents a chapter of my life ending. It’s a bittersweet experience, but I’m beyond excited for what’s next, and I know I’ll never forget my time at CU Boulder.

What are your plans beyond graduation?
Beyond graduation, I look forward to practicing architecture! I’d love to work on a variety of projects, participate in design build work, and continue to work with social justice groups in design. In the distant future, I see myself going to graduate school, becoming licensed, starting a firm, and possibly teaching at an architecture school one day.

Julia Rodriguez, an architecture major from the San Francisco Bay Area, considers finding her community at CU Boulder as one of her greatest experiences at ENVD.

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Davis Velte

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 20:15:10 +0000

Davis Velte Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 04/28/2023 - 14:15

For Davis Velte, an architecture major minoring in business, graduating represents the culmination of a lot of hard work, learning and lots and lots of studio hours.

I'll miss seeing T-squares poking out of your backpacks on campus and immediately knowing you're a fellow ENVD student.

Where are you from?
Evergreen, Colorado

What, if any, minors, dual-degrees and/or certificates are you graduating with?
Business Minor

Tell us about your involvement and/or student leadership roles in and/or outside of ENVD.
Intern for over one and a half years at Mosaic Architects and Interiors, Studied in Rome with Maryanne Holbert

What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?
Touring ENVD was my biggest motivation. I saw how studios worked and the projects students were making and I knew I wanted to do this.

What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at CU Boulder that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
The biggest lesson I learned is that what you get out of an experience depends on what you put in to it. Put in the effort, try your hand at everything, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Describe one of your favorite memories.
My freshmen year we did a sketching exercise on Pearl Street early in the morning and it made me really appreciate ENVD in that it's not a conventional classroom setting.

If you could say anything to your classmates what would you say?
I'll miss seeing T-squares poking out of your backpacks on campus and immediately knowing you're a fellow ENVD student.

Based on what you know now, what is your best piece of advice for other students?
Take advantage of all the tools available to you, try new things, and push yourself. Also I definitely recommend keeping a Pinterest to save all the things that inspire you and drive your designs forward.

What does graduating from college represent for you?
Graduating represents the culmination of a lot of hard work, learning, and lots and lots of studio hours.

What are your plans beyond graduation?
Attending grad school or working in the architecture/design field.

For Davis Velte, an architecture major minoring in business, graduating represents the culmination of a lot of hard work, learning and lots and lots of studio hours.

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Ainsley McElwee

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 22:11:50 +0000

Ainsley McElwee Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/18/2023 - 16:11

Ainsley McElwee, a sustainable planning and urban design major from Excelsior Springs, Missouri, will graduate with minors in business and geography.

Where are you from?
Excelsior Springs, Missouri

What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?
I did not know what I was doing, where Boulder was, or what exactly ENVD was when I applied! Woahhh. It was truly a shot in the dark when I did it, but I really found a major that lets me explore all my passions and how they intersect in the built environment. I'm so greatful!

What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at CU Boulder that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
Relationships are the number one thing that contributes to my happiness and wellbeing. I put my time and energy towards maintaining them because I truly believe that great friends make for a great life.

Describe one of your favorite memories.
I will always remember our first year casuing chaos in the basemment.

If you could say anything to your classmates what would you say?
Sko buffs!

What are your plans beyond graduation?
This summer, I am going on a roadtrip and taking time to figure that part out.

Based on what you know now, what is your best piece of advice for other students?
Do a semester abraod if you can!

Tell us about your involvement and/or student leadership roles in and/or outside of ENVD.
I am a board member of APAS and a CEDaR intern. I enjoy skiing, time well-spent with my friends, and traveling!

Ainsley McElwee, a sustainable planning and urban design major from Excelsior Springs, Missouri, will graduate with minors in business and geography.

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Kaylor Chott

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 21:55:16 +0000

Kaylor Chott Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/18/2023 - 15:55

Kaylor Chott will earn a B.EnvD specializing in architecture with a minor in business. After graduation, Chott plans to travel the world and start a career as a design and landscape architect.

Follow your interests and try everything at least once. Now is the time to take risks in order to find what makes you the happiest.

Where are you from?
Irvine, California

What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?
I was inspired to come to ENVD because of the multidisciplinary curriculum and the creative environment that is supported within the program.

What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at CU Boulder that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
My time at CU Boulder has taught me to follow my passions because nothing is more rewarding than doing something you care about.

Describe one of your favorite memories.
One of my favorite memories is playing on CU Women’s Club lacrosse team because I have made friends for life and got to play the sport that I love.

If you could say anything to your classmates what would you say?
Thank you for all the great memories and for constantly inspiring me to be a better designer and environmental advocate.

What are your plans beyond graduation?
I plan to continue to travel the world and begin my career as a designer and landscape architect.

Based on what you know now, what is your best piece of advice for other students?
Follow your interests and try everything at least once. Now is the time to take risks in order to find what makes you the happiest.

What does graduating from college represent for you?
It represents the beginning of a new chapter focused on following my passions as an adult.

Tell us about your involvement and/or student leadership roles in and/or outside of ENVD.
Marketer for CU ASLA President and Captain of CU Women’s Club Lacrosse Team

Kaylor Chott will earn a B.EnvD specializing in architecture with a minor in business. After graduation, Chott plans to travel the world and start a career as a design and landscape architect.

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Juliana Minerbo

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 21:42:15 +0000

Juliana Minerbo Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/18/2023 - 15:42

Juliana Minerbo, an architecture major from Brazil, plans to work for an architecture firm in Brazil after graduation.

Thank you for making my experience at CU and in the US so great. You helped me to push myself and do my best in order to succeed.

Where are you from?
Brazil

What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?
The community inside ENVD was a big part of it. My grandfather graduated from Oxford so I also wanted to study architecture abroad (outside Brazil). The courses seemed like a good fit and strong for my career.

What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at CU Boulder that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
Having such a great community at CU Boulder is definitely something I will carry with me. I was able to create connections with friends and instructors that helped me with everything I needed.

Describe one of your favorite memories.
Having studio in person after a year of online studio. I was able to engage with my friends and professors and help each other in an easier way.

If you could say anything to your classmates what would you say?
I would say thank you for making my experience at CU and in the US so great. You helped me to push myself and do my best in order to succeed. I am extremely proud of all of you and I cannot wait to see what each one of you accomplish in the next chapter! Best wishes on your next adventure! Congratulations class of 2023!!! (let me know if you ever come to Brazil so we can see each other again)

Based on what you know now, what is your best piece of advice for other students?
My best piece of advice is to not stress too much about anything. To do your best and you will succeed. The most important thing is to have fun while doing it. Professors and instructors are ALWAYS there to help!

What are your plans beyond graduation?
I already got a job back home in Brazil in an architectural firm. I plan on having a lot of experience and learn a lot from it.

What does graduating from college represent for you?
It represents the beginning of independence. being able to help my future workplace with what I learned and make a difference in the community.

Juliana Minerbo, an architecture major from Brazil, plans to work for an architecture firm in Brazil after graduation.

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Aden Dravenstott

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 21:12:07 +0000

Aden Dravenstott Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/18/2023 - 15:12

Aden Dravenstott will graduate from CU Boulder with a major in sustainable planning & urban design with a minors in geography and Spanish.

I am so thankful to have spent the last four years surrounded by such kind, supportive, hardworking, creative and innovative people. You all make ENVD special.

Where are you from?
Centennial, Colorado

What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?
I loved the creative aspect of the classes and projects nested in a program focused on real-world issues. The people seemed friendly and there was a very clear sense of community from the start.

What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at CU Boulder that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
I think one of the biggest lessons I learned here is the importance of being kind to everyone. We all faced challenges over the last four years and we got through them by being kind and supportive of one another. There's a lot of value in treating others in a positive way and I will carry that with me into the future.

Describe one of your favorite memories.
A group of us were working in the ENVD basement freshman year while it was snowing pretty heavily outside. I think it was in October, so we were all still getting to know each other. We spontaneously decided to go on Farrand Field and have a snowball fight after an hour or two. It turned out to be one of the most enjoyable days of that semester, and it definitely brought our community closer.

If you could say anything to your classmates what would you say?
I am so thankful to have spent the last four years surrounded by such kind, supportive, hardworking, creative and innovative people. You all make ENVD special.

What are your plans beyond graduation?
I want to stay in Colorado (because I love it here) and do something in the urban design and planning field.

Based on what you know now, what is your best piece of advice for other students?
I'd advise other students to live in the moment as much as possible. A lot happens in four years, and it goes by fast if you don't stop once in a while to enjoy it.

What does graduating from college represent for you?
Graduating college represents a time for so many new possibilities of life, and I am so excited to see what we all end up doing.

Tell us about your involvement and/or student leadership roles in and/or outside of ENVD.
Involved in APAS and the CU Club Swim Team; served as Women's Captain of the CU Club Swim Team from 2021-22

Aden Dravenstott will graduate from CU Boulder with a major in sustainable planning & urban design with a minors in geography and Spanish.

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Bryan Martino

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 20:37:39 +0000

Bryan Martino Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/18/2023 - 14:37

Bryan Martino earned a double major in architecture and ecology and evolutionary biology. Martino won a Fulbright Scholarship to pursue his masters degree in Integrative and Architectural Design Research at the University of Stuttgart, Germany.

If, at some point, you didn't bleed, sweat, or cry on your project, you didn't get the full experience...

Where are you from?
Fort Collins, Colorado

What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?
It was an intuitive choice. I love biology, but ENVD is where I could explore creative ways to apply biology to sustainable architecture.

What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at CU Boulder that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
Work towards what feels right... not what's easy, fast, or convenient. I am proud that I followed my own path through undergraduate, and graduated with two degrees, rather than miss out on ENVD.

Based on what you know now, what is your best piece of advice for other students?
Change and evolution represent a cornerstone of the human experience, which means that life is not a straight line. There may be times when we take two steps forward, and one step back. So here's my takeaway: what you know matters, but who you are matters more. Who you are matters *immeasurably* more than what you know. Therefore, don't worry about taking the wrong step. Instead, just follow your unique path.

Describe one of your favorite memories.
Sharing snacks with my peers in ARCH 3100 while finishing our final models.

If you could say anything to your classmates what would you say?
If, at some point, you didn't bleed, sweat, or cry on your project, you didn't get the full experience...

What are your plans beyond graduation?
I am blessed to have been admitted to the Integrative Technologies and Architectural Design Research M. Sc. program at the University of Stuttgart, beginning in winter 2023. This is where I will continue my studies into theory-based applications of biology in architecture.

What does graduating from college represent for you?
Graduation represents a milestone in my self-identity as a designer. It's an exciting point in my career where I can dive deeper into topics that interest me in both academic and professional settings.

Tell us about your involvement and/or student leadership roles in and/or outside of ENVD.
Fall 2020: Growing Up Boulder intern, Spring 2021: ENVD Peer Advisor, Spring 2022: ENVD 1024 Teaching Assistant

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Gabi Butvilofsky

Anonymous — Wed, 04 May 2022 21:31:24 +0000

Gabi Butvilofsky Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 05/04/2022 - 15:31

Gabi Butvilofsky, a product design major, is excited to explore her passions further and grow into her new life as a maker outside of school.

You've made this experience what it is. I wouldn't have come through as the person I am today without all of you!

Where are you from?
Denver, CO

Tell us about your involvement and/or student leadership roles in and/or outside of ENVD.
Served on the EPOD Club Board; Awarded with the Environmental Design Faculty Esteemed Graduate Award for Product Design

What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?
I literally wandered into the ENVD building for a sociology class my freshman year as an undeclared major. Seeing all of the amazing student work, and knowing I could apply my creativity to academics, I knew immediately that ENVD was going to be my choice.

What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at CU Boulder that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
Honestly, just that when it feels like the end of the world, and everything is so stressful and overwhelming, there is the next chapter. Life goes on.

Describe one of your favorite memories.
My favorite memories involve coming back from being remote and working late at the CINC, being surrounded by my peers, semi-delirious, but sharing the energy and passion for the work with everyone.

What does graduating from college represent for you?
I've looked forward to graduating college since before I even began. I cannot wait to explore my passions further and grow into my life as a maker outside of school.

What are your plans beyond graduation?
After graduation, I am moving to Denver with my pup, Liza!

Gabi Butvilofsky, a product design major, is excited to explore her passions further and grow into her new life as a maker outside of school.

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Sofija Andrew

Anonymous — Wed, 04 May 2022 21:19:05 +0000

Sofija Andrew Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 05/04/2022 - 15:19

Sofija Andrew, an architecture major graduating with a Spanish and creative technology design minor, plans to travel to South America to help with sustainable building infrastructure while waiting to hear back from the Peace Corps.

I’m glad that through studio we get the chance to be better friends in the ways other majors don’t cultivate.

Where are you from?
Boulder Colorado

Tell us about your involvement and/or student leadership roles in and/or outside of ENVD.
I’ve been really involved in a student leadership team for media and marketing of a group called the Annex, and work for CU in the Mind.Body.Voice program.

What inspired you to come to ENVD when choosing your school?
I went into CU undeclared and took the intro to Environmental Design class on a whim as an elective. I fell in love with the topics and realized I could combine a lot of things I was good at. Also a guy I interviewed for one time told me to never become an architect, and here we are.

What is one of the greatest experiences or lessons from your time at CU Boulder that you'll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?
You can spend your life working or you can spend it living. As architecture students, we are overworking all the time. But I found a good balance between work and real life at CU and I want to carry that with me forever because I think you can have both.

Based on what you know now, what is your best piece of advice for other students?
Use the laser cutter whenever you can.

Describe one of your favorite memories.
Going to the Lama Foundation in New Mexico with my capstone studio and digging a foundation all weekend. It was so painful but rewarding.

What does graduating from college represent for you?
Moving on and up. Life is only getting started.

What are your plans beyond graduation?
I’ve applied to the Peace Corps, and until then I plan to go to South America to help with sustainable building infrastructure there.

Sofija Andrew, an architecture major graduating with a Spanish and creative technology design minor, plans to travel to South America to help with sustainable building infrastructure while waiting to hear back from the Peace Corps.

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