WASHINGTON, DC.- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Associates Committee (NAC) selected four recipients to receive the 2009 Jason Pettigrew Memorial ARE Scholarship. The recipients are Jill C. Finn, Assoc. AIA, Venesa Alicea, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, Melissa Kegan Tom, Assoc. AIA, and Ha Pham, Assoc. AIA. The recipients were recognized at the NAC reception at the 2009 AIA National Convention and Design Exposition in San Francisco.

The recipients will receive compensation for the entire cost of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) and a full set of study guides provided by Kaplan AEC Education.

The recipients of the scholarship were chosen by a jury composed of AIA members, component and NAC representatives, a former recipient and others representing various stages of their professional career.

The recipients were selected on the following criteria:

-Significant contributions at an early stage of their career to the profession and/or community
-Exemplary involvement in community and/or professional organizations
-Outstanding achievement in the creation, development and delivery of creative programs for interns, associates, and/or young architect members
-Traditional or alternative career path, with demonstrated passion for pursuit of registration; Strong letters of support detailing personal and professional contributions
-Inspiring statement of contribution

2009 Jason Pettigrew Memorial ARE Scholarship recipients:

Ha Pham, Assoc. AIA, has been active in volunteer work in Philadelphia and SW Washington. The Emerging Leaders Group she created in Southwest Washington helps to keep interns on track to licensure while increasing associate involvement in the AIA and community initiatives. She is a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and a member of preservation organizations, including the Association of Preservation Technology, Education Committee for Historic Tacoma.

Jill Finn, Assoc. AIA, is currently serving as the Regional Associate Director for the AIA California Council and on the Council of Advisors for the state’s Academy for Emerging Professionals. She has excelled in giving back to the profession – as Associate Director for AIA San Francisco (2007) and chair of Bay Area Young Architects (2006) – and to community through groups such as Berkeley Safe Neighborhood Committee and Youth in Mind.

Venesa Alicea, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, has demonstrated leadership within the AIA and among professional allied organizations with a focus on diversity and professional development of students and young professionals. She served on the AIA NY State Board as a student director. As the Associate Director of AIA NY she spearheaded an effort to begin an ARE review program. She has excelled in community as well as in AIA involvement.

Melissa Kegan Tom, Assoc. AIA, is the AIAS president at the University of Arizona. Melissa increased students understanding of the architectural registration process and their involvement within the community. Working at the firm, the Architecture Company in Tucson, AZ, she has continued to help interns prepare for the exam and find leadership roles within the firm. She has been involved in many other volunteer activities, such as, Freedom by Design with AIAS and career discovery programs with Women in Science and Engineering.