Pilot Program: DLF and Mississippi State University
In partnership with Mississippi State University, the DLF developed a pilot program to address the needs of students in their Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture schools. Now in its third year, our annual Materials and Technology Awards, on-campus Professional Skills Workshop, and Professional Horizons Summer Work Experience in NYC, have provided tools, opportunities, and access to support these student toward becoming thriving professionals in the design industry.
Our Success
Over the past three years, our pilot program at Mississippi State University has seen great success, shown through:
- Awarding more than 100 technology and materials grants to students in need
- Conducting over 471 mentorship sessions with undergraduates studying architecture, interior design, and landscape design
- Providing scholarships for 36 students to attend our Professional Horizons Summer Work Experience in New York City, which enters its third year in 2024
And this is just the beginning!
Our Future
Building on this success, we are thrilled to be expanding our programming. In partnership with One Million Degrees, we connect architecture and design professionals to students at the City Colleges of Chicago, to serve as mentors and help better prepare the students for career success.
We are excited to be working on further programming, with updates to come in 2024!
Materials and Technology Grants
Did you know that a design education today has an additional $12,000 to $15,000 in supplemental expenses that are not part of scholarships or financial aid packages?
Through our Materials and Technology grants, we help ensure that students have access to one of the most vital, and basic, needs in modern learning - up-to-date technology. Whether through the laptop loaner program or providing access to professional platforms, students no longer face the barrier of inferior learning tools.
Want to be a part of providing access to these necessary tools?
Professional Skills Workshop
Held on campus in Starkville, Mississippi, our annual 2-day Professional Skills Workshop brings DLN members and MSU students together in person, where they participate in talks, panels, and round tables focused on skill development including cover letters, resumés, interviewing skills, and professional communication.
Interested in joining us? Our next workshop is February 1 - 2, 2024, and we would love to have you!
Professional Horizons Summer Work Experience
Taking the students out of their comfort zones and introducing them to the larger international design community, the Professional Horizons Summer Work Experience brings 18 MSU students to New York City for a 3-week academic and work experience. Participants receive college credit while studying the city’s built environment as a group, as well as individually gain insightful work experience at a Design Leadership Network member firm. The exposure and access to international leaders in the design field through office tours, site visits, lectures, and work experience projects allows students to put their knowledge to use - and shows them just how far their degrees can take them.
The DLF provides full scholarships to all participants, ensuring there is no financial burden on the student, with costs upward of $8,000 for each scholar. Will you join us in continuing to make this life-changing experience a reality?