The National Organization for Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS) is an up-and-coming club at Marywood University. Its mission is to bring awareness to minorities in the architecture field, as well as encourage those who are on campus.

“The club has been dormant for the past few years,” according to Vice President Victoria Talarico, which makes the change of leadership in 2023 an exciting driving force to the organization’s new presence on campus.

NOMAS was taken over by President Lenae Burkhard in the fall of 2023 after being approached by advisor Kim Hagan. Burkhard worked tirelessly for a year alongside Talarico to remodel and separate the club’s concepts from Women in Architecture and Design (WIAD). They are also on the hunt for a secretary and are actively welcoming new members.

“I want to try and educate people about the importance of minorities in architecture. I want this club to be a safe space for people of all backgrounds, a place where people can come discuss what they are working on and share ideas, even if they are not in the architecture program,” said Burkhard.

As far as long term goals go, Burkhold aims to integrate the club across campus by hosting events and collaborating with other clubs. She encourages new members across campus to join, regardless of if they are architecture majors.

NOMAS meets every Friday at 12:30 p.m. in the Center for Architectural Studies.

Keep an eye out in the student events calendar for new event postings from the NOMAS throughout the spring semester.

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