Kate Schwennsen

Kate Schwennsen, FAIA Associate Dean for Academic Programs of the College of Design served as the first female president of the American Institute of Architects Iowa Chapter (AIA Iowa) and in many other important leadership positions in international, national, regional, and state professional organizations. In 2006 Kate served as the 82nd President of the American Institute of Architects. She was the second woman, second Iowan, and second educator to serve as the elected leader of this then 149-year-old, 78000-member organization. Many of her efforts were directed at advancing the education of architects and the standards of the architectural profession making the “who” more inclusive the “what” more sustainable and the “how” more collaborative and knowledge-based. Prior to returning to her alma mater (BA 1978; M.Arch. 1980) to teach architectural design and professional practice she practiced architecture for ten years in professionally critical areas including office and project management, marketing, and design.

Submitted on 6/16/08