National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS)

What does NOMAS mean? The University of Maryland chapter of NOMAS is affiliated with the national professional organization NOMA (http://www.noma.net/). We are a group of students from a variety of backgrounds pursuing architecture degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels, interested in contributing to the UMD School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation by building a sense of community based on shared experiences unique to our diverse student body.

What is NOMAS about? NOMAS is an academic, professional and service organization, with a primary objective to foster communication and fellowship among minority and diverse architecture students. Social events, work exhibitions, creative competitions and educational lectures are all integral to the annual NOMAS agenda.

NOMAS also serves as a clearinghouse for information on and for minority and diverse architecture students, to maintain liaisons with professionals whose work affects the physical environment, to act as a common public voice for all minority architecture students as they speak out on matters affecting their work, and the communities in which they do their work, and to promote the design and development of a living, working and recreational environment of the highest quality for all people.

NOMAS is a forum for students to explore the relationship between heritage, race, religion, gender, and design. As a group, NOMAS seeks to participate in community outreach, faculty and student recruitment, and sponsors lectures and design work which reflects the organization members' goals as individuals and as a community. 

Who can join NOMAS? Membership in NOMAS is open to all registered architecture students, including students representing all departments within the UMD School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. As we seek to foster an inclusive community, you do not have to be a minority to join UMD NOMAS and participate in events.

Who are the 2011-2012 NOMAS officers?
President | Linda Clark
Vice President | Patricia Chen 
Treasurer | Caitlin Latini  
Historians | Jennie Gross
Publicity Officer | Sophie Weller
Network Liaison | Jordano Hernandez
Official Events Photography | Samra Ansari
Academic Advisor | Assistant Professor Luis Diego Quiros Link to his BIO

Stay updated:   at the UMD NOMAS Blog

If you have any questions about UMD NOMAS, email us at umd.nomas@gmail.com

Upcoming Events

Internship Seminar Part II | interviews, salary negotiation, and job offer etiquette| March 2, 2011 @ 6:10pm

School Trip | Grimm & Parker Office Visit | March 11, 2011

Social | International Night | April 29th, 2011 @ 6:15pm in the Great Space

Vertical Studios | grad and undergrad interactive studios | Tuesdays and Thursdays 

Competition| UMD NOMAS Logo Competition | Spring 2010 semester