How can community colleges, like CCSF, champion DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) efforts?

This conversation will focus on three main topics—pathways to CCSF, pathways to practice, pathways for the profession—from the perspectives of current and former students, as well as educators.

This event continues the conversation from The Equitable Practice: Reimagining the Power Table, and supports efforts related to AIASF’s The Pflueger Architecture Scholarship.

Speakers will also discuss the challenges and opportunities of a community college-anchored architecture education in determining career trajectories, and more broadly, in creating a robust pipeline for talent in the A+D industry.

Registration for this program is open at the bottom of this page

About the Panelists

Nicole Biewenga received her undergraduate degree from University of California at Berkeley College of Environmental Design with a major in Architecture, after transferring from City College of San Francisco. Most recently, she worked as a Research Associate at the University of Hawai’i Community Design Center where she was involved in interdisciplinary design research and community engagement for a variety of state-funded proof-of-concept projects. Nicole is a graduate dual degree candidate (MS RED and MArch) at Columbia University.

Moe Ekapob S. graduated from the Architectural Association, AA School of Architecture in London with AADipl and ARB/RIBA and MA in Architectural Lighting and Design Management from Wismar University in Germany. He has worked in San Francisco, Amsterdam, London, and New York. Moe is currently teaching at INDA, Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. He has also published a book on School Design in Thailand and also has his own design practice, AND Co.,Ltd.

Michelle Nermon is an educator, artist, urban designer and licensed architect (California) dedicated to the creation and preservation of equitable and enjoyable places for people and the environment. She has contributed to architecture and planning projects across California, Pennsylvania, the Caribbean and Mexico. Michelle holds a B.A. in Rhetoric and a B.A. in Architecture from UC Berkeley and is faculty at the City College of San Francisco.

Nyra N.Oeun is currently enrolled in the AS Architecture program at CCSF. As a child of Cambodian refugees, she was surrounded by Khmer arts, including images of her ancestor’s sacred Angkor Wat—the world’s largest temple complex by land mass. Studying architecture, Nyra has discovered meaningful connections with her family’s traditions, and the culture, art, designs, architecture, and history of her ancestral land. Inspired by Khmer architect Vann Molyvann, she aspires to champion Khmer art, vernacular and architecture through her work.

Theo Revlock was educated in Philadelphia and did his post-graduate work at the Architectural Association in London. Theo’s award-winning theoretical, exhibited and built work—ranging from residential, commercial and planning to theatre, institutional and public—always place architecture in dialogue with other disciplines, pushing these to new relevance. He teaches at UC Berkeley and City College of San Francisco, and often participates in juries in San Francisco, London and New York academia.

About the Moderator

Lisa Boquiren brings ideas, insight and brand strategy to creative businesses. She oversaw rebranding initiatives, as director of marketing at San Francisco Design Center, and at the legacy A+D firm EHDD. A long-time AIASF event contributor, former chair of the chapter’s Communications Committee and a self-described architecture and design aficionada, Lisa convenes conversations through her on-going Practice series, including most recently, “The Equitable Practice” and “The Life-Compatible Practice”

Original Photograph by Amily Huang
Illustration by Henry Gao