BSLA
/ NOW
DIVERSITY SUMMIT
his past June, 18 landscape architecture emerging
professionals were invited from across the
country to participate in the American Society
of Landscape Architects’ 2014 National
Diversity Summit in Washington, D.C.. Among
the goals of the summit were brainstorming ways
to reach more a more diverse group of young
people who might be interested in Landscape
Architecture, as only 4% of ASLA students
are Hispanic and 1% African-American. The
Summit attendees focused on ways to raise public
awareness in minority communities; provide early
exposure to the profession for students, teachers,
and parents; and mentoring opportunities. They
also discuss how to craft the ideal mentoring track
from grad school to seasoned professional.
T
ABOVE Each National Diversity Summit member
in June
ASLA Green Roof
Washington D.C.
participates for two years; 12 of this year’s
participants were in their second year. The six
new members were recommended by the current
members or others within the ASLA. This system
allows for organic growth and continuity among
the group. The Summit was held at the ASLA
Headquarters, where participants met with
ASLA staff and toured the building’s green roof.
Participants shared their experiences entering the
Landscape Architecture field and discussed their
personal challenges and barriers to completing
their education.
Returning Summit members presented the
strategies of the prior year and reviewed efforts
thus far. The group focused on how to raise
awareness of the career, particularly among
52
BSLA
African-American and Hispanic young people.
They identified different partner groups to work
with to implement these strategies, including
firms, Chapters, Landscape Architecture students,
universities, allied organizations, and like-minded
organizations. Recognizing the important role and
influence that parents have on the career path
of students, raising awareness among parents
was identified as one way to create recognition
of Landscape Architecture as a successful career
option. Ideally, young people should be exposed to
Landscape Architecture as a career option during
middle school and high school. If this exposure does
not happen until the student enters university, they
may already have a predisposition towards other
career paths.
Participants of the Summit developed a mentoring
plan to engage individuals at all stages of their
career—from retirees to young students. The group
developed a preliminary structure for each level of
participation within the mentoring path. The ASLA
will work to refine this program and implement it
with a pilot study. The National Diversity Summit
will meet again next summer to review the progress
with the ASLA and introduce six new members to
the group. ASLA will continue to have a focus on
diversity until there is a significant and measured
change in the ethnicity of students graduating with
a degree in Landscape Architecture.
If you are interested in learning more about
diversity within the ASLA, or upcoming related
local developments, please contact Carolina
Carvajal, BSLA Diversity Summit Liaison at
[email protected].