Six Graduating Fay Jones School Students Reflect on the Journeys That Shaped Them

As the U of A's Spring Commencement approached, several graduating Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design students reflected on the experiences that have shaped their time in school and prepared them for what is next as they begin their careers. These spotlights feature six design students with diverse paths, perspectives and passions who share the growth, creativity and unique insights they have gained throughout their journey at the Fay Jones School and the U of A. Their reflections offer a closer look at their dedication as students and the positive impact they hope to make after graduation.

John Blake

Stillwater, Oklahoma

When Blake applied to the Fay Jones School, he didn't yet fully understand the nature of the architecture program. But the architecture student from Stillwater, Oklahoma, quickly came to appreciate the school's distinct qualities and culture.

"To be able to study in an environment that pushes innovation and allows for experimentation is incredibly fortunate," he said. "Those qualities are what I look for in the profession and what will help advance the practice of architecture."

During his five years in the program, Blake said that a former professor, Nathaniel Elberfeld, was especially meaningful to him. Blake studied under Elberfeld early in his education and then continued working with the professor as a teaching assistant for two classes. That mentorship set the tone for how Blake has continued to approach architecture and design.

"I feel that I follow a rigorous, fast-paced workflow that values decision making, confidence and embracing mistakes. Failure is part of the practice of design, and I am infinitely appreciative that I became comfortable with that early on," Blake said.

While Blake thought that much of his studio work would focus on small-scale, speculative projects, his experience in the Urban Design Build Studio gave him a perspective he didn't anticipate.

"I have come to appreciate the act of physically making, and I think I would really enjoy pursuing that side of the profession in practice," Blake said.

Among the many things that Blake will miss about being a Fay Jones School student, a big one is the people.

"I am starting to understand the value of having so many people my age and with my interests around me all the time," he said. "I know that I often take that for granted, but I am happy to have made such great friendships with those around me, as those won't fade any time soon."

Brennah Clubine

Kansas City, Missouri

When Clubine arrived at the Fay Jones School, she was immediately struck by the environment and the way the faculty and staff clearly cared for students and their education. Over her four years in the interior architecture and design program, she has developed lasting connections with her professors, classmates and school administrators.

During that time, Clubine, who is from Kansas City, Missouri, also gained confidence and self-trust, rather than second-guessing herself. "I have been able to be proud of my work and truly fall in love with design," she said.

Being in studio and involved with the student chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers helped her grow connections with people outside of the school, communicate with professionals and get to know students in other year levels.

Clubine studied under Jinoh Park in her first-year summer studio, and he soon became a mentor to her. She has been grateful that she could turn to him for guidance and just talk about everyday things.

"He has been very supportive and has been able to level with me on many occasions," she said. "Jinoh has helped me make decisions that were not easy, but he has known what is best for me."

Clubine was particularly excited to be in the Interior Sculpture studio led by Jake Tucci, assistant professor, in which she made her own chair.

"This studio was my favorite because I was able to design and build an item that I could utilize. The chair was customized to me and is a one of a kind," she said.

Clubine was also a student worker in the Dean's Office, and she said she'll miss seeing the school administrators and staff. She also found it easy to make friends, even with students in the other design programs.

"I am such a social butterfly, and being able to make friends who are in the architecture or landscape architecture programs has been something I will miss," she said.

Drew Pehlman

Bentonville, Arkansas

Pehlman, a landscape architecture student from Bentonville, has spent his years at the Fay Jones School expressing himself creatively while being able to build a strong foundation for his future in landscape architecture.

"I knew that I would receive an education that would allow me to be a sponge for new information and express myself creatively through a variety of projects," Pehlman said. "The program has helped me discover what I am passionate about in landscape architecture and has given me direction for what I would like to do moving forward with my career."

Scott Biehle, teaching associate professor, was a strong mentor who helped Pehlman prepare to move forward into the professional world. A defining moment for Pehlman was his internship at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, an outreach center of the school, for the "Pollinator City" garden installation. Working with Biehle, his student project partners, alongside experienced staff at the school and gardens, Pehlman learned about the organization, communication and delegation needed to bring a project to life.

"I was able to experience a project from early conceptual design to completion," Pehlman said. "Being able to apply knowledge from my previous planting design and construction classes (taught by Biehle) and having the experience of watching the plants grow into our design is something I will never forget as I take my next steps as an aspiring landscape architect."

One piece of advice that Pehlman offers to incoming and current Fay Jones School students is to bring their authentic selves to their design projects.

"Find what you are curious about and go down some rabbit holes," Pehlman said. "Designs that I have enjoyed the most are the ones that have gotten me excited to learn. Finding a niche and allowing ideas and sketches to flow has been very fun and rewarding."

Sara Svensson

Frisco, Texas

Though Svensson was initially drawn to the Fay Jones School for its architecture program, she soon realized that landscape architecture was the perfect fit for her.

"The school has provided valuable opportunities for professional growth, including involvement in the ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects) student chapter, support in finding internships and a strong foundational education that has prepared me to enter the field with confidence," she said.

Svensson, a landscape architecture student from Frisco, Texas, cares deeply for the environment. This made her experience in a studio focused on regenerative agriculture and land stewardship, led by professor Scott Biehle, very significant to her.

"The course strongly aligned with my values surrounding sustainability," Svensson said. "The studio content was rich and immersive, and Scott was the best professor to teach that class. He truly cares about his students and fosters a positive learning environment."

Svensson's favorite project was "Framing the Landscape," completed at Heifer Ranch in Perryville during the fall 2025 semester with professor Biehle. Students worked in multidisciplinary teams to design an entrance education hub that included a pond, with a focus on sustainable landscape management for Heifer International Ranch.

"It was especially meaningful to work on a project with a real client, with whom we met and had design discussions throughout the semester," she said.

Svensson said the school's collaborations with professional firms played a significant role in shaping her career path, ultimately helping her secure an internship and a full-time position in landscape architecture post-graduation.

Experiences from studio and construction classes strengthened her understanding of design and its real-world applications. And an unexpected takeaway for Svensson has been gaining a depth of knowledge in soil science and its impact on planting design, as well as a stronger understanding of the construction process.

"I also valued the opportunity to collaborate with architecture and interior architecture students, which broadened my perspective and strengthened my ability to work across disciplines," she said.

She recommended that incoming and current students set themselves up for success by developing strong habits and routines early in their education. Two key strategies for her were employing time management and setting distraction-free "lock-in sessions" for working productively.

"These strategies helped me to achieve high grades and be able to have some free time outside of school. Prioritizing getting work done but also making time for activities helped prevent me from burning out," she said.

Campbell Osier

Vilonia, Arkansas

Osier came to the Fay Jones School with a curiosity about architecture as a "form of science and art." He was looking for a career that would have a measurable impact while providing an outlet for creative expression.

"I have learned to be more conscientious about what I am designing and to be aware of the positive and negative impacts of my designs," he said.

Osier, an interior architecture and design student from Vilonia, said that the "Piggybacking Practices" studio led by Brian Holland, associate professor, was particularly meaningful.

"The topic and nature of the studio inspired me to look for opportunities and to take responsibility in the world that we can help build as future architects and designers," he said.

Last summer, Osier worked alongside Fay Jones School leadership and Turner Kane, a fellow classmate, to design and fabricate a custom 24-foot table for the entryway of the new Anthony Timberlands Center for Design and Materials Innovation, completing the project for internship credit. Through this internship experience, Osier learned more about the process of creating real projects rather than solely hypothetical ones. He also learned the importance of working with his hands and the effectiveness of collaboration.

After graduation, Osier will miss having classes and being able to explore his interests within the confines of a curriculum.

"The professors have all had great insight and have played a crucial role in shaping the way that I think and investigate," Osier said. "I'm looking forward to taking the technical and design skills that I've learned and trying to apply them to a variety of scales. … While I've been studying interior architecture and design, I am eager to explore how my perspective can impact spaces outside of buildings."

Osier encourages incoming and current students to take advantage of opportunities that align with their own interests and values and to actively shape their own design education.

"Focus on your class or studio objectives and appropriate that for the career you want to build for yourself," Osier said. "And don't be afraid to be in conversation with your professors and faculty. It's up to you as a student to get what you want out of school."

Darci Burris

Conway, Arkansas

Burris said that the Fay Jones School stood out to her because it celebrates the state and its people. The school's faculty and staff have supported her beyond what she expected and encouraged her to keep going in times of loss, exhaustion and self-doubt.

"Having professors that push you beyond what you thought you could accomplish — that go beyond their means to support you and see you succeed — makes all the difference in being able to see yourself in this profession," Burris said.

Burris, an architecture student from Conway, said she's most proud of her fourth-year Integrated Design Studio project, a mass timber recreation and community center located in North Little Rock along the Arkansas River and connected to the Arkansas River Trail. Students studied the surrounding community to understand its makeup and consider what's missing from the region and what people could benefit from.

"Our project aimed to strengthen the site's infrastructure to allow all demographics access to public amenities," she said, such as a library, recreational courts, outdoor shading, drinking fountains, public restrooms and waterfront access. "We wanted to ask how the site could hinge a physical and social connection between two seemingly disparate regions of Central Arkansas."

Studying in a small school at a large Southeastern Conference university created a special environment for Burris. She said the program helped her realize her agency as a designer to produce quality projects in seemingly unconventional ways and how design can be a form of advocacy. She also learned how sketching helps to slow down the thought process and iterate conceptual ideas, and she encourages other design students to practice and hone their craft by sketching daily.

"We've watched each other achieve some amazing things and fail in quite spectacular ways," Burris said. "I'm incredibly thankful for the friendships and memories I've made here."