Emerging Professional/Young Architect (EP/YA) Leadership Council

This Council was founded in 2025 to better connect professionals and to serve as a central hub for EP/YA leaders across the state and national levels to collaborate, share resources, and shape strategic programming for Colorado’s architecture community. Our hope is this would evolve to become an inclusive landing spot for any member looking to get involved with AlA Colorado early in their career.

We want to hear from you! Get in touch today to connect with committee members.

General Acronyms

• EP’s – Emerging Professionals = Associate members, up to licensure or first 10 years post-graduation
• YA’s – Young Architects = First 10 years of licensure
• NAC – National Associates Committee = Committee of Associate member representatives from all states
• YAF – Young Architects Forum = Committee of Young Architect representatives from all states

AIA Colorado Programs and Acronyms

• YAR/YAF – Colorado’s representative to the Young Architect’s Forum (YAR = Young Architect Rep / YAF = Young Architects Forum)
• STAR/NAC – Colorado representative to the National Associate’s Committee (STAR = State/Territory Associate Representative)
• Associate Director* = AIA Colorado Associate member that serves on the AIA Colorado Board of Directors
• Student Director At Large* = Representative from American Institute of Architecture Students Colorado Chapters. Current an AIA Colorado Board At Large Seat.
• Ascend Mentorship Program = annual program that pairs mentors (5-12 years of experience) with mentees (0-5 years experience).
• CKLDP = Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program, a year-long leadership focused program consisting of nine half-day sessions attended by a selected group of 16 emerging professionals.