Nominees
Nominees list below appear in no particular order.

PRESIDENT Candidates

Britta Monson

Throughout the past four years I have shown a great deal of dedication to both AIAS and the School of Architecture. I am currently the Secretary for AIAS and the President of ASAC, and have held various positions in ASAC over the past 3 years. As I enter my first year of grad school next year, I feel that I can draw upon my leadership experience from both of these organizations and move AIAS forward in the year to come. I have also created connections with the faculty and administration that can bring new ideas to AIAS. I feel that it is important for AIAS to be a visible part of the school community, and I would like to see more events with not only other architecture student organizations, but also with organizations outside of architecture. AIAS and AIA have a significant amount to offer students at Illinois, and I feel that the connection between these two organizations is one of the strongest assets AIAS has to offer students, of all ages. I would like to continue to improve upon the standing relationships between the regional and national offices of both AIAS and AIA. I also feel that it is important that AIAS is accessible to everyone. Because of this I will strive to create new events that can not only connect younger students with older students and older students with professionals, but also a variety of events catered for each age group. Thank you for your consideration.

JT Timmerman

My name is John (JT) Timmerman and I would like to announce my candidacy for president of AIAS. I have been an active member of this club for two years and have had the pleasure of serving alongside a great board as treasurer this last year. It has been extremely beneficial to me as an aspiring architect to be a part of this club both educationally and professionally. As a board member in particular, I have been to nearly every event that AIAS has attended and have thoroughly enjoyed being able to meet you, our members, as well as various professionals. I feel that I am strongly suited to lead this organization next year thanks to the strong relationships I have with our members, our faculty, and various professionals.

One of my strongest attributes that I believe I can bring to this organization is the continued wave of new ideas. I believe that I have integrated extremely well into the existing AIAS structure while providing fresh ideas to help with the recent decline in membership. I am confident that my experience on both this board as well as my fraternity’s board has put me in a position to best recruit new members, especially since that played such a large part of my discussions on my previous executive council. As we get ready to start with one of the newest boards we have had in a few years, I look forward to being able to help add and organize a new plan of action. As a board member for only a year, I have the ability to not cling to the events that have been declining the past few years, but replace them with what will work today and tomorrow such as panel discussions that we have begun this year. I hope that you will vote for me for the president in the upcoming year and that together we can open peoples’ eyes to the great organization that is the American Institute of Architecture Students.

INTERNAL VICE PRESIDENT Candidates

Zach Leverton

My name is Zach Leverton and I am a freshman in architecture. Beyond the current duties, I would like to use the position of Internal Vice President to start new activities or programs focused at the incoming Freshman class. I feel, as many do, that the Freshman as a class feel disassociated and would like to give next years incoming class a better feel of the community that is the College of Architecture.

Jason Soderlund

I would like to nominate myself for the position of Internal Vice President. I have been an active member of AIAS for 3 years now. During my freshman year I was involved with the planning of the Spring Midwest Quad Conference. I was Internal Vice President my sophomore year and organized several events for AIAS including faculty lunch and learns and intramural sporting events. I am currently Versailles Chair and have organized events here in France as well. I really do enjoy being a part of this organization and devoting my time to it. With my past experience and dedication to AIAS I would make a great Internal Vice President for the 2010-2011 school year.

EXTERNAL VICE PRESIDENT Candidates

Cory Elisabeth

My name is Cory Elisabeth and I would like to nominate myself as AIAS External Vice President. I have had some leadership experience when I was in high school; but mostly it was not architecture related. Being an active member of AIAS, I hope that I will get more experience in architecture field. Some of my experiences are in junior year of high school, I was the Vice President of Student Internal Organization (named: OSIS), the largest national student organization for all high school in Indonesia. As OSIS Vice President, I helped the President organized all official school event for students. At the same year, I was also the President of Student Prayer Group. In Christian Private high school that I went to, the Student Prayer Group was the biggest club and has the most members compare to any other club. Being the President of Student Prayer Group and the Vice President of OSIS at the same time has taught me so much about leadership and time management. With that experience too, I have been chosen as President in senior year at my local church's Retreat Camp event. Along with 16 other officers, I was leading and arranging 4 days trip for about 300 plus people. In college, I was elected as the InterClub Council (ICC) Representative for De Anza Red Cross Organization, representing my organization in De Anza ICC Board. To have a better understanding, ICC Representative is similar to AIAS External Vice President position, but ICC Representative also deal with club budget and larger events for the whole school. With that to say, I hope that my experience will allow me to do my best as External Vice President in AIAS.

TREASURER Candidates

Rosemarie Woodbury

My name is Rosemarie Woodbury, the current AIAS President and I would like to nominate myself for treasurer. I have shown my immense dedication to this organization through my previous offices held as President(twice), Versailles Chair, and Past President Advisor. Next year will be my second year of the 3 year dual degree M. Arch/MBA program and having taken business classes I feel I am very prepared for the role of treasurer. I have taken two accounting classes and use excel on a very regular basis, so I am very comfortable with keeping detailed records of our finances. I am very proactive and will work hard to make sure that all opportunities for funding are taken advantage of in order to maximize participation. I am extremely dedicated to AIAS and would love the opportunity to serve our community in a different position. I have been an officer 4 out of the 5 years I've been a member of this organization and therefore believe that the knowledge and passion for the organization that I provide is advantageous for its success. I am confident that when elected I will be a great treasurer, committed to the financial stability of AIAS.

SECRETARY Candidates

Brianna Kraft

My name is Brianna Kraft and I am currently a junior majoring in Architectural Studies here at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.  Some of my current interests include photography, cooking, and, of course, architecture.  I am considering studying historic preservation during grad school at a school yet to be determined.  I would like to nominate myself for the secretarial position for the 2010-2011 AIAS board. I am currently the secretary for Global Architecture Brigades (GAB) and have been the secretary since the organization’s inception in the fall of 2009. I am also currently a member of AIAS, Freedom by Design, and Women in Architecture. I am currently a fundraising chair for FBD. I feel that I am very qualified for the position of AIAS secretary because I have experience as being secretary for GAB for the last year.  I also have experience working secretarial jobs in an office environment for several years in the past. I am a very good listener and am capable of taking good notes.  I am a very organized and punctual individual and I feel that I would contribute a great deal to AIAS as an organization. I understand that my responsibilities as secretary would include keeping track of meeting minutes, sending out emails, and coordinating with other officers to plan and publicize AIAS events. Thank you for taking the time to review my nomination.

Lauren Nurse

I would like to nominate myself for either the position of secretary. I have been an active AIAS member for two years – my sophomore year and my senior year. During my junior year, I participated in the Versailles program. After attending Forum over the past winter break, I feel much more of a connection with AIAS, and I would like to become more involved. During my undergraduate studies, I minored in Urban and Regional Planning. While the methods are quite different from what we do in architecture, the subjects are very similar. I feel that this experience gives me a unique perspective on many of the issues that AIAS looks at. In addition, I have had two internships - one with Legat Architects, and one with DuPage county, which, among other things, have taught me what it is like to work in an office or a firm, and how to get started on the Internship Development Program. As an AIAS officer, I would be able to share this knowledge. I have previously held leadership positions in other student groups, including publicity chair for Global Architecture Brigades, and team leader for the YMCA LEED certification project.

FREEDOM BY DESIGN Co-Captain Candidates

Adam Coers

My name is Adam Coers and I wish to nominate myself for one of the Co-Captain positions of our chapter of Freedom By Design.

I have been very active the past three semesters as well as this current semester in this organization, participating in all of our build projects in as many different areas as I could fit into my schedule.

I feel that I would be a good fit for this position because I feel myself to be a strong leader, and I never step down from a challenge. I have a great deal of knowledge in the field of construction and with the material I have gained this year from my studios, I feel that I have become an even better designer, and eventually constructor.

I have great respect for those people with physical and mental disabilities and whole heartedly believe that there is absolutely no condition that should prevent someone from living a happy life and I love being able to help make that dream a reality for people with every chance that I get.

Thank you for your time and I would greatly appreciate your vote for FBD Co-Captian.

Hiba Bhatty

 My younger brother has cerebral palsy and it was because of his birth that I was introduced to a world that I had previously neglected and left unrecognized. His being constrained to a wheelchair has been a constant struggle in our home. Narrow hallways, inaccessible bathrooms, and no transportation to his room on the second floor has created increasing stress for our family as he becomes older. It was only recently we added a ramp for easy access into our home. But beyond these problems, it is extremely difficult to take my brother out in the community. We must make sure ramps and elevators are on site and in some cases, we have to miss events due to the lack of accessibility in a building. His upbringing has opened my mind to people with both physical and mental disabilities and has inspired me to mold my career into something that will hopefully help people with special needs and their families as well: Universal Design. Projects such as: renovating houses, building ramps, creating devices to adapt to a variety of skill levels, are areas I wish to enhance the community with and I am confident Freedom by Design can provide that outlet.

This semester I have I learned about the leadership expectations about the organization, how to meet with clients and run meetings with Sarah and hope that this knowledge can assist running Freedom By Design next semester. Also, my extensive background in working with kids who have special needs, as both a teacher’s assistant and taking care of my brother, has educated me about their needs and the ways in which we can hopefully mold architectural design for accommodation, knowledge others might look over. The adaptations needed to allow their fine motor skills to flourish, the restraints of subtle elements in a house such handles to a door or on a faucet, even the joy of a textural surface of a rough stone, the softness of carpet or the resistance of rubber can become a learning experience for an individual. I am hopeful my passion and personal history will provide a positive addition to this organization.

INTERNATIONAL Chair Candidates

Andrea Sforza

I am thrilled to be going to Versailles next year to study architecture. However, I still want to still be connected with my classmates and friends in AIAS during my time in Europe. This is why I am nominating myself for the 2010-2011 Versailles Chair. I feel that I am responsible, dedicated, and will do a good job communicating with the organization in Champaign even when I am thousands of miles away. Also, I know that I can represent AIAS proudly while also serving as a leader among my classmates. I have enjoyed being a part of AIAS and Freedom by Design the past two years and I would love to take on a larger role as a board member for next year. Thank you very much for your consideration of me as the 2010-2011 Versailles Chair.

Sonia Turk

As sophomore studying architecture, this student organization has been the only link I have to the vast architecture student body at the university. The studio culture discussions, informative lectures, and the recent amazing Chicago Firm Tour has made me realize how much I value being a part of AIAS. With this, I strongly desire to become more involved and active in this club, and becoming next year's Versailles Chair would certainly allow me to do so. Being the Versailles Chair would allow me to stay involved while benefiting this organization. As the Versailles Chair, I intend to stay in close contact with the members remaining at U of I. I have a strong history of organization, persistence, and drive, which will assist me in keeping the members abroad in touch with the useful resources of AIAS, and to be of the most assistance as possible. I also believe becoming the Versailles Chair next year will become a gateway for me to become even more involved my senior and following graduate years. I truly appreciate this student organization, and I hope to help to improve it next year.

WEB & MEDIA Chair Candidates

Jennifer Palumbo

I would like to nominate myself for Web and Media Chair for the 2010-2011 school year. I am currently a junior in the Versailles study abroad program. I feel like I would make a great Web and Media Chair because of my love of design and proficiency in Photoshop and other graphic editing programs. I have had a lot of experience with graphic editing mainly in the form of presentation boards for design projects. I always take on the responsibility of creating the presentation boards when working on a project in a group and I have received nothing but positive feedback. I have always enjoyed putting togther presentation boards and other projects revolving around graphic design and I feel like I could bring this passion to AIAS and the Web and Media Chair position.

Questions
The election results will be monitored by current officers who are not running for an officer position and the selected Elections Committee. The results will be posted on the chapter website once all the votes have been collected.