The scholarships reinforce the firm’s commitment to fostering greater diversity within the architectural profession.
For 2024, HOK has awarded $100,000 in scholarships to 10 outstanding students from a range of universities known for their dedication to educating diverse design students.
The 2024 scholarship presentation marks the fourth year of the Diversity by Design program, which has consistently grown since its inception in 2021. With this year’s 10 scholarships at $10,000 each, HOK has now invested a cumulative total of $370,000 into the initiative since launching the scholarship program.
“Supporting these exceptional students is a key part of our mission to create a more inclusive and representative architectural profession,” said Ami Shah, HOK’s Atlanta-based health education practice leader and a member of the firm’s Diversity Advisory Council (DAC), which oversees the scholarship program. “By providing resources and opportunities, we want to break down barriers and empower the next generation of diverse design leaders.”
The scholarships, sponsored by HOK’s U.S. regional practices, are awarded through a competitive selection process to upper-level and graduate students enrolled in NAAB-accredited design programs.
Congratulations to the recipients of HOK’s 2024 Diversity by Design scholarships:
- Nelson Agalaba, undergraduate student at Kennesaw State University, sponsored by HOK’s Atlanta studio.
- Nicole Cheng, undergraduate student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, sponsored by HOK’s San Francisco and Seattle studios.
- Sydnee Crawford, graduate student at Howard University, sponsored by HOK’s Washington, D.C., studio.
- Alejandro Estevez, undergraduate student at City College of New York, sponsored by HOK’s New York and Philadelphia studios.
- Charlotte Lundy, graduate student at Prairie View University, sponsored by HOK’s Texas studios.
- Akira Maclin, undergraduate student at Cal Poly Pomona, sponsored by HOK’s Los Angeles studio.
- Emmelea Schatz, undergraduate student at the University of Kansas, sponsored by HOK’s Kansas City studio.
- Joseline P. Toalongo, undergraduate student at the University of Illinois at Chicago, sponsored by HOK’s Chicago studio.
- Kayla Wade, undergraduate student at Tuskegee University, sponsored by HOK’s St. Louis studio.
- Christin Williams, undergraduate student at Florida A&M University, sponsored by HOK’s Florida offices.
HOK remains committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within architecture and beyond. Through initiatives like the Diversity by Design scholarships, the firm aims to empower the next generation of diverse design leaders and create a profession that truly reflects the communities it serves.