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Master of Architecture Student Selected as a 2021 NOMA Fellow

School of Architecture and Design graduate student and Master of Architecture candidate Shaela Nelson was selected as a National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) Foundation Fellow for the 2021 Summer Cohort. NOMA Foundation Fellowships (NFF) are highly competitive, with only 20 awarded annually. Fellows engage in an 8-week Virtual or In-person Part-time Internship (June 14-August 6); a limited number of full-time internships are also be available. Matched Fellows also recieve a $2,560 stipend during the fellowship and a $1,000 Licensure Stipend if they become a licensed architect within 5 years of completing the fellowship.

From the NOMA website:

"In partnership with the AIA Large Firm Roundtable (LFRT), NOMA created a fellowship program to help increase the number of minority architects throughout the U.S. Following the success of the inaugural NOMA Foundation Fellowship (NFF), we are pleased to announce the launch of the Summer 2021 Cohort of the NOMA Foundation Fellowship!"

Applicants for the fellowship must be either currently enrolled in their final 2 years of a 4-year undergraduate program, currently enrolled in their final 3 years of 5-year undergraduate program, or currently enrolled as a graduate student in an M.Arch program. Students from both NAAB-accredited and non-accredited programs may apply. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States for the entirety of the 8-week program and must be current paid members of NOMA as of April 1, 2020. Submission materials for the fellowship include an unofficial transcript, a portfolio of work, a resume, a letter of recommendation, and a cover letter stating the applicant's interest in becoming a fellow. Finalists for the Fellowship are selected for virtual interviews with host firms and matched with firms on a mutual matching basis.

Nelson has been an active member of the UL Chapter of NOMAS since 2016 and served as the UL Chapter President during the 2019-2020 academic year. During her tenure as President of UL NOMAS, Nelson championed the start of the ongoing SoAD Wellness Initiative, which seeks to promote the importance of self-care, positive mental health, and good nutritional practices to the students in the School of Architecture and Design and the College of the Arts.

After an extensive interview process, Nelson accepted an internship at Snow Kreilich Architects - a nationally recognized and award-winning architectural studio-based practice in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Congratulations Shaela! 

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