Korey White, an alumna of the College of Architecture and Planning (CAP), recently received a prestigious national award. She was selected for the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) 2018 Young Architects Award.

White received her MArch and MURP degrees in 2013 and currently works for Stantec, an architectural and engineering firm with clients worldwide, in Arlington, Va. The AIA award honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the architecture profession early in their careers.

As president of the AIAS Chapter at CU Denver, White led a task force to design train stations in three mountain communities in order to broaden access to transportation and potential high-speed rail. She has also been an active mentor in schools in both Colorado and Washington, D.C., educating students on design’s power to solve issues and empowering them to be involved in their communities.

White is grateful for the real-world preparation she received at CAP as well as the meaningful relationships formed here as a student. CU Denver Today conducted a Q&A with White about her time at CU Denver.

Why did you choose CU Denver and CAP for college?

I chose CU Denver for the urban location and connection to the profession in a major urban center. Because I didn’t know anyone in moving to Denver, I became involved in various activities and student organizations such as the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) and American Planning Association-Students (APAS) to expand my network and find a community. Because involvement in the professional community was encouraged throughout the curriculum, I realized I had the opportunity to combine this leadership training with the coursework I was doing and carve out a path for myself.What went into your decision to pursue dual degrees?

After a semester in the Master of Architecture program, I applied for a dual degree program with the Master of Urban and Regional Planning. This allowed me to explore how policy and planning mold the design of our communities and buildings. I also felt that with all of the programs within CAP, I was able to collaborate with peers in different realms of study and research, which fostered conversations on how we can realistically solve problems in our communities.

What did you like about CAP’s curriculum?

Overall, I felt the curriculum set students up for success because it was so heavy on collaboration and teamwork. I felt prepared to work on teams and lead teams once I left because I was given so many opportunities to do so while in school. I have also maintained the relationships with colleagues and professors because there was so much interaction between academia and the profession within CAP.

What are some of the advantages of attending CU Denver and connecting with the city?

While many universities provide similar opportunities, studying in Denver provided me with a unique opportunity to explore issues in real time with real professionals and apply these solutions to a city I was familiar with and able to call home. The coursework allowed me to become invested in the community and understand the realities of how impactful our work as architects, planners and designers can be in the world – whether it’s around the corner in a neighborhood or across the world on a global scale.