College of Fellows
Image: Ed Vance
Who We Are
AIA Fellows are recognized with the AIA's highest membership honor for their exceptional work and contributions to architecture and society. Architects who have made significant contributions to the profession and society and who exemplify architectural excellence can become a member of the AIA College of Fellows. Only 3% of the AIA members have this distinction.
What We Do
The purpose of the AIA College of Fellows is to stimulate a sharing of interests among Fellows, to promote the purposes of the Institute, to advance the profession of architecture, to mentor young architects, and to be of ever-increasing service to society. The College of Fellows administer numerous grants and awards, and prizes that all aim to achieve this stated mission.
Become an AIA Fellow
2025 AIA Chicago Fellows
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is elevating three members from AIA Chicago to its prestigious College of Fellows, AIA's highest membership honor, for their exceptional work and contributions to architecture and society.
The fellowship program was developed to elevate those architects who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession and made a significant contribution to architecture and society on a national level. Architects who have been elevated to fellowship can be identified by the designation FAIA after their name.
Stephen Cavanaugh, FAIA
DLR Group
Object 2: Practice (Technical Advancement)
Susan Heinking, FAIA
Pepper Construction
Object 2: Practice (Technical Advancement)
JinHwa Paradowicz, FAIA
Perkins Eastman
Object 2: Practice (Technical Advancement)
Past Fellow Honorees
2025 Stephen Cavanaugh, FAIA; Susan Heinking, FAIA; JinHwa Paradowicz, FAIA
2023 Sara Beardsley, FAIA; David Block, FAIA; Xuan Fu, FAIA; Mark Schwamel, FAIA; Mark Walsh, FAIA
2022 Craig D. Brandt, FAIA; Abigail L. Clary, FAIA; Robin R. Randall, FAIA; Mark Schendel, FAIA; Charles T. Smith, FAIA
Opportunities the College of Fellows Administers
Administered through the national AIA College of Fellows and their Executive Committee, the following opportunities are aim to advance the profession.
The College of Fellows has established a grants fund to assist AIA components in the development of programs which foster the mission of Young Architects and Associates. These funds may be used to enhance the activities of an existing Emerging Professionals group or as seed money to help start a new one. Because one of the goals of the component grants program is to make Emerging Professionals groups a vital component activity, an explanation or demonstration of component commitment and support is essential.
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