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LPA Design Studios Introduces the 2025 Diversity in Design Scholarship

LPA Design Studios, a prominent architectural firm based in California and Texas, has kicked off its call for applications for the 2025 Diversity in Design Scholarship. This initiative, now in its fifth year, is dedicated to addressing the entrenched inequalities that persist in the architecture and engineering professions. By providing financial aid, mentorship, and internship opportunities to students from historically marginalized backgrounds, LPA aims to catalyze change within these industries.

Aimed at Inequity

The scholarship program seeks to support high school seniors who face systemic barriers to pursuing careers in architecture and allied fields. Since its inception in 2020, the Diversity in Design Scholarship has dispensed an impressive $220,000 in funding, benefiting 18 students aspiring to make their mark in architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, and related disciplines.

Beginning on March 14, 2025, interested students can submit their applications until the deadline of May 21, 2025. Each year, LPA offers grants of up to $5,000 to a maximum of five graduating seniors, which can be renewed each year for a total of four years, ensuring that students have the financial support they need throughout their college education.

Mentorship Matters

In addition to financial support, scholarship recipients are paired with mentors who are seasoned professionals in their fields of study. This mentorship not only provides guidance through their academic journey but also exposes them to vital networking opportunities. Moreover, these scholars receive priority consideration for internships at LPA studios, enabling firsthand experience that can prove invaluable in their careers.

Wendy Rogers, CEO of LPA Design Studios, emphasized the importance of this program: "LPA is committed to empowering a generation of designers who reflect the rich diversity of our communities. The unique aspect of our scholarship is its focus on relationships and hands-on experience—elements critical for academic and career success."

Addressing Underrepresentation

Despite advancements in recent years, the design professions continue to be disproportionately underrepresented with regard to women and people of color. Alarmingly, only approximately 2% of licensed architects in the United States identify as Black, a figure indicative of broader trends across related fields. The Diversity in Design Scholarship tackles some of the root causes of this disparity—such as limited exposure to design careers, financial constraints, and scarce mentorship opportunities.

Through these efforts, LPA has seen its first cohort of scholarship recipients enter the workforce as interns; two students, Elisabeth Gutierrez and Diego Riverbay, were welcomed into the firm as part of their summer internship program in 2024. Melody Tang, a Senior Project Architect at LPA and an early supporter of the scholarship, remarked, "It's inspiring to see our first scholarship recipients making waves in the industry, marking a significant impact not just in their own lives but within the profession as a whole. The growth and ambition we have observed in our scholarship recipients have been remarkable."

A Commitment to Change

Administered by Scholarship America on behalf of LPA for Change—a dedicated board focusing on aligning charitable activities with equitable practices—the Diversity in Design Scholarship plays a crucial role in fostering inclusivity in the industry. LPA for Change collaborates with various programs, including the National Organization of Minority Architects' Project Pipeline, the ACE Mentor Program of America, and the International Living Future Institute's JUST program, to further this mission.

Applicants for this scholarship must be high school seniors from California or Texas who have been accepted into a full-time undergraduate program at an accredited institution. Preference is given to those who have faced significant challenges in their educational journey and to students who belong to groups that have historically lacked representation in the building and design sectors. The selection committee takes into account financial need and whether applicants are first-generation college students.

For more information about the LPA Diversity in Design Scholarship and application details, visit LPA Design Studios.

About LPA

Founded in 1965, LPA Design Studios is a multi-discipline firm committed to collaboration, inclusion, and a comprehensive design approach that connects performance with design excellence. With over 500 team members dispersed across seven studios in California and Texas, LPA boasts a wealth of expertise in various sectors. Their dedication to sustainable design has earned them the national AIA Architecture Firm Award in 2025, signaling their significant impact and lasting value for the environment.