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Emily Mejia initially chose to study architecture because it combined her love for math and art. After diving into her studies, though, she realized the subject鈥檚 impact on everyday life and fell head over heels for it.

鈥淵ou have the ability to shape the physical environment and possibly transform communities,鈥� says Mejia, who knew since childhood that she wanted to pursue a future in a creative design field.

As Mejia pursues her Bachelor of Architecture degree, she鈥檚 participating in hands-on work and attending conferences to showcase what she can do. In October 2024, Mejia and 10 of her School of Architecture and Design peers traveled to Baltimore, Md., where they received honorable mention in the National Organization of Minority Architects鈥� (NOMA) 2024 Barbara G. Laurie Student Design Competition.

In October, the team will travel to Kansas City, Mo., to compete once again in NOMA鈥檚 competition.

^{Architecture student Emily Mejia will travel with her classmates to Kansas City, Mo., to participate in the National Organization of Minority Architects conference.}

Mejia鈥檚 involvement with NOMA is more than conferences, though. During the 2023鈥�2024 school year, she became senator of 91社区鈥檚 chapter of NOMA Students鈥擭OMAS Long Island. In fall 2024, she was elected president.

鈥淚 really enjoy my position because it enables me to help students gain the skills they may need after graduation,鈥� says Mejia, whose role includes planning professional events like tours of architecture firms, portfolio reviews, and collaborations with other architecture schools. 鈥淲e offer so many professional practice events and help students get a head start on networking and setting them up for success.鈥�

Outside of her NOMAS presidential duties, Mejia is an academic senator for the School of Architecture and Design, where she shares updates from Dean Maria Perbellini, M.Arch., with other school senators and students, as well as votes on budgets and represents the voice of her peers. She also works as a student assistant in the Art and Architecture Library in Education Hall on the Long Island campus and as a robotics lab research assistant for Robotics Fabrication Lab Manager Fadhil Fadhil, where she helps research ways that robotics can be integrated with architecture.

Looking ahead, Mejia envisions obtaining her architecture license and studying for a master鈥檚 degree in urban design. Whether she pursues those goals right away or takes time off to travel and explore different countries is to be determined. One thing is for certain, she will never turn down an opportunity.

鈥淚f I had declined certain things that were asked of me, I would have never met so many great people that have helped me get to where I am now,鈥� she says. 鈥淭ake any opportunity that comes your way鈥攅specially if it would help you professionally.鈥�