The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture and American Institute of Architects awarded a Kennesaw State professor with the 2018-2019 Practice and Leadership Award for effective teaching, scholarship, outreach, professional practice and leadership.
Liz Martin-Malikian, an associate professor of architecture, was awarded for her role as a thesis coordinator, observing the question, “Is doing architecture doing research?”
Martin-Malikian said that she was nominated by a jury member who coordinated her Practice and Leadership Award package, which included input from colleagues, alumni and students supporting the award.
Martin-Malikian said that winning the award for a behind-the-scenes role in the coordination of theses was an honor and added that teaching undergraduate students is an interesting challenge.
“As coordinator, I am incredibly humbled to receive this level of recognition from two of the country’s premier organizations in architecture,” Martin-Malikian said. “I take great pride in mentoring our students and helping them realize their dreams of one day becoming professional architects or pursuing research in graduate school. There is a great sense of accomplishment in knowing that my efforts leave a positive impact.”
Martin-Malikian plans to travel to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, to receive her award at the 107th annual ACSA meeting on March 29.
In addition to this award, Martin-Malikian initiated KSU’s Cooper Carry Three Minute Thesis Competition, coordinated Thesis Studio competitions and raised funds for a student research grant sponsored by local architecture firms.
Martin-Malikian also received the Outstanding Faculty Award and University Service Award for Distinguished Service and Leadership from Southern Polytechnic State University in 2009 and 2011, respectively.
According to the ACSA website, its mission is to “lead architectural education and research.”
ACSA has 5,000 architecture faculty and staff represented in its 200 member schools as well as 300 supporting members from architecture firms and product associations. The organization’s core values are teaching and learning, equity, diversity and inclusiveness, creative scholarship, research, practice and responsiveness.
According to AIA’s website, the organization has more than 94,000 members across 200 chapters around the world. AIA advocates for the value of architecture and provides the best possible resources for architects to perform important tasks.
KSU’s Department of Architecture provides multidisciplinary curriculums to expand critical thinking, embrace new technology and encourage creativity and innovation. The department offers a five-year bachelor’s degree that is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board.
