Student Scholarships

Congratulations to our 2022 scholarship winners!

LAF has awarded a total of $167,000 to 27 outstanding students for its 2022 scholarship season. The scholarships support the next generation of designers by rewarding superior student performance, supporting access and diversity, supporting original research, and assisting students with unmet financial need.

Scroll through to see bios and photos of these deserving students.

In the fall, LAF will announce its scholarships available for the 2022-23 academic year and begin accepting applications. Applications are due Feb 1 with the winners announced in the spring. 

These awards are made possible through funds established by our generous sponsors.

• Winner Announcement
• 2022 Jurors
• Awards Available Annually

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

LAF Honor Scholarship in Memory of Joe Lalli, FASLA
Award: $20,000

Justin Thomas
MLA Candidate, University of California Berkeley

Justin completed his undergraduate in architecture and is currently pursuing his graduate studies in landscape architecture and environmental planning at the University of California Berkeley. He is currently exploring how natural systems can be integrated into urban and rural areas and is also interested in working with governments, non-governmental organizations and collaborating with multi-disciplinary practices.  He believes that collaboration is a critical need and wishes to situate his practice within the public sector.  He is also interested in examining relationships of community to ecology, inclusivity and local resiliency.

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

LAF Honor Scholarship in Memory of Joe Lalli, FASLA
First Runner-up Award: $10,000

Mathew Brown Velasquez
MLA Candidate, Spitzer School of Architecture at the City College of New York

Mathew was born in Colombia and has lived in New York City for 23 years. He completed his undergraduate with a concentration in photography at CCNY. After graduation, he worked as an Environmental Education Coordinator for the North Brooklyn Community Boathouse. He is now in his second year at the Spitzer School of Architecture at CCNY and is interested in novel remediation practices. He is exploring possibilities of mycoremediation and compost-remediation in his studio. Mathew plans to pursue working on novel remediation landscape projects post-graduation and opening a fungi nursery.

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

LAF Honor Scholarship in Memory of Joe Lalli, FASLA
Second Runner-up Award: $5,000

Sydney Lister
MLA Candidate, Ohio State University

Sydney has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science and minors in Chemistry and Geography from the University of Vermont. She is interested in the intersection between geospatial qualities of place, ecological literacy, and cultural landscapes. Professionally, Sydney has researched and designed speculative histories for deconstructing confederate monuments which celebrate the social fabric and cultural shifts surrounding such events. Sydney's current research focuses on interstitial networks which serve as places of resistance, resilience, and subversive community--building for oppressed groups throughout United States history. 

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

LAF Honor Scholarship for Inclusive Community Design
Award: $10,000

Scarlet Blossom Rendleman
MLA Candidate, Harvard University

Scarlet is drawn to how landscape design and planning can promote interwoven, indivisible relations between living systems and the built environment. She seeks to practice design as an inter-disciplinary, community-based platform that uplifts disinvested populations and regenerative land practices. Her long-term objective is to become a practitioner and educator of landscape architecture, creating nodes of interaction and healing, thus, catalyzing design as a tool for environmental literacy and rehabilitation. Scarlet enjoys activities that bring her closer to nature including beekeeping, hiking, meditation, and somatic art forms.

 

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

LAF Honor Scholarship for Inclusive Community Design
Award: $5,000

ASLA-NY Equitable Public Urban Space Scholarship  
Award: $5,000 

Jeana Pearl Fletcher
MLA Candidate, City College of New York

Jeana has been enthralled by urban public spaces since arriving to NYC from Newark, Delaware in 2005. She graduated from Fordham University in 2009 as a Track and Field student athlete with a degree in Visual Arts and Environmental Policy. Jeana's winding journey of jobs which included working in four of the five boroughs and running throughout the city strengthened her interest of connectivity to public spaces. The shift to landscape architecture expanded her skill set of design logistics to a passion for public space. In the future, she plans to work in policy and design of urban spaces advocating for community interests and representation.

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

Kenneth R. Brooks MLA Research Scholarship
Award: $5,000

Isabella Juliet Shehab
MLA and MSc Candidate, University of Michigan

Through research, Izzy is interested in learning about the intersection between humans and the environment. As part of working to expand the availability of greenspace in urban settings to create more equitable, healthy cities, she
explores ways in which nature-based solutions can alleviate urban environmental challenges like stormwater management.  In the future, Izzy hopes to continue her education in a doctoral study within the field of landscape architecture to conduct research that contributes to landscape architecture’s support of equitable spaces that help communities thrive in the face of climate change.

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

ASLA Council of Fellows Scholarship
Award: $10,000

Landscape Forms Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Scholarship
Award: $5,000

Victor Cizik
BLA Candidate, University of Connecticut

Victor was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the United States at the age of 3. He is currently a junior pursuing a bachelors in landscape architecture at the University of Connecticut. In the future, he would like to work on projects that deal with streetscape and urban design--specifically designing cities and towns to be more pedestrian friendly and rely less on cars. In his free time, Victor is out hiking and exploring with friends, and enjoys taking photos on film cameras.

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

ASLA Council of Fellows Scholarship
Award: $5,000

Naomi Bailey
BLA Candidate, Michigan State University

Naomi is a rising African American landscape architect student. She grew up on the westside of Detroit, Michigan and later moved to the eastside with her mother and three siblings.  She graduated as her class Valedictorian at East English Village Preparatory High. Naomi has always had a passion in changing the way of the world and helping her communities. She plans to pursue her masters degree and apply her skills to restore minority communities that suffer from deterioration and blight, ultimately creating safe green spaces for people to relax and be open with nature.

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

ASLA Council of Fellows Scholarship
Award: $5,000

Andrea Fager
BLA Candidate, Iowa State University

Andrea is a fourth-year student majoring in landscape architecture and minoring in Sustainability at Iowa State University. She plans to seek a masters degree after gaining experience in the field. Professionally, she would like to focus on environmental reconstruction and restoration. With a passion for ecosystems and the natural world, she will apply her knowledge as a landscape architect, to aid ecologists in the field and other teams on projects that focus on ensuring natural systems can function and helping to fix damaged ecosystems.

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

ASLA Council of Fellows Scholarship
Award: $5,000

Luis Jorge Hernandez
BLA Candidate, University of Arkansas

Born and raised in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Luis is the second child of two immigrant parents coming from Guadalajara, Mexico. Raised in a family of 6, he is a first-generation student, graduating with an associate degree in architectural drafting. He plans to pursue his education in landscape architecture and become a professor and share his passion with young students to find their potential and create unique work of their own. Luis also aspires to bring ideas that can impact communities and individuals for the greater good of preserving history and nature, and exploring beyond boundaries.

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

Courtland Paul Scholarship
Award $5,000

Claire Thurlow
BLA Candidate, Ball State University

Claire will graduate in 2023 and plans to become a registered landscape architect. She is interested in pursuing her passion for organic, local farming by helping to design and implement sustainable food systems, native plantings, gardens, and farmer’s markets in communities. 

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

LandDesign Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Scholarship
Award: $5,000

Isabella Carrera
BA Candidate, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Isabella is a fourth year undergraduate student triple minoring in City & Regional Planning, Ethnic Studies, and Sustainable Environments. Isabella was born in the Philippines and immigrated to Los Angeles, CA at the age of 7, and her Filipino culture plays a huge part in her identity. Isabella is currently the President of the NAMLA student chapter she co-founded, and is also on the Executive Board of the Pilipino Cultural Exchange, serving as Treasurer. Isabella hopes to pursue higher education in urban planning and wants to provide safe, usable green space in cities. 

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

LandDesign Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Scholarship
Award: $5,000

Sofia Lomeli
BLA Candidate, Arizona State University

Sofia is a first-generation undergraduate student from Cornville, Arizona. She is currently studying landscape architecture at Arizona State University and a certificate in Sustainable Food Systems. Sofia has a strong interest in creating sustainable and culturally diverse spaces for all to enjoy along with urban agriculture practices. She hopes to study abroad in the foreseeable future. After university, she intends to become a licensed landscape architect and work in the public sector. 

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

Landscape Forms Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Scholarship
Award: $5,000

Adriel Jimenez
BLA Candidate, University of Florida

Adriel is a landscape architecture student at the University of Florida. He is interested in designing for the environment and revitalizing ecosystems, low-income housing communities, community gardens and educational centers, and improving the water quality on a grand scale; by using 3D modeling programs, data from GIS, CAD, and research acquired on the sites. His path began at Miami Dade College, where he won awards from competitions and volunteer service and took part in the development of FOX Gulch by Mercado in Dumont.

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

Landscape Forms Scholarship in Memory of Peter Schaudt, FASLA
Award: $5,000

EDSA Diversity Scholarship
Award: $5,000

Najla Said Lopez
BLA Candidate, University of Florida

Najla, originally from Jordan, is a fourth-year landscape architecture student at the University of Florida. She has a diverse professional background that has shaped her perspective and world views. Her experience working for non-profit organizations and in the mental health field developed her love for helping those in need. As a landscape architect, Najla hopes to continue giving back to society, by creating beautiful and meaningful spaces utilizing ecological and equity-based design.

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

EDSA Diversity Scholarship
Award: $5,000

Jorge Mayorga
Dual Masters Candidate, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago

Jorge graduated with a BA in architecture from the University of Illinois and established a 501c3 design-build nonprofit, Human Scale to create positive change in disinvested communities and neighborhoods throughout the city of Chicago. He is currently a first-year graduate student pursuing a dual masters degree in architecture, landscape architecture and urbanism, at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Jorge will utilize his profession to be a design leader that can collaborate with other disciplines and community members, and advocate to work with the natural environment to produce more impactful projects. He also aspires to be a role model for people that have faced similar life challenges as himself and lead by example.

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

Rain Bird Intelligent Use of Water™ Scholarship
Award: $5,000

Seth Gross
BLA Candidate, University of California, Davis

Seth is a third-year student with a special interest in planting design, residential design, and park design. He is also an intern at the Sustainable Horticulture Internship at the University of California, Davis Arboretum. After graduation, Seth plans to pursue working for a firm that focuses on these design areas and using plants as a medium for design. 

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

Daniel Zwier/Permaloc Innovation Scholarship
Award: $5,000

William Thomson
MLA Candidate, Spitzer School of Architecture at the City College of New York

Will is a certified consulting arborist, landscape designer, and green roof professional and holds a MSc in Environmental Science and Ecosystems Management from the American University of Beirut. Since starting a small farm in his home state of New Mexico, he has held a passion for food justice, creating sustainable ecosystems, and developing spaces that produce healthy environments and communities. Will currently works as a consulting arborist with AECOM and is in the 2023 cohort for the Spitzer School’s Master of Landscape Architecture program. He was also an Urban Design Forum Forefront Fellow in 2021.

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

Daniel Zwier/Permaloc Innovation Scholarship
Award: $1,000

Martina Potlach
MLA Candidate, Florida International University (FIU)

As an immigrant to Miami, a city as diverse as it is subtropical, Martina’s passion for plants as a child transformed into a purpose. In 2021 she founded Seedtalk, a platform for connecting, educating, and exploring gardening as a framework for engaging with our world, grounded in care and action. After graduating, Martina set off on a solo backpacking trip through Southeast Asia and the Middle East. She encountered architectural acts of innovation and adaptability, from farming blackberries in the Negev desert using drip-irrigation from desalinated water, to floating homes in the fishing communities of Ha-Long Bay. Martina is currently pursuing a master’s in landscape architecture at FIU, where she is also a Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator fellow.

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

Daniel Zwier/Permaloc Innovation Scholarship
Award: $1,000

Luis Mota
MLA + Urbanism Candidate, University of Southern California

Luis is a first generation Angeleno and currently serves as a Graduate Research Assistant at USC’s Institute for Creative Technologies and Spatial Sciences Institute on its One World Terrain project. Prior to his time at USC, he received his BA from the University of Pennsylvania in 2015 and has worked as a Research Associate at the Huntington-USC Institute on California and the West. With a deep curiosity in the historical, social, and political systems shaping our world, Luis’ interests focus on cultural, ecological, and logistical cartographies and design interventions to challenge the landscape’s potential to engineer civility into communities, remediate urban ecosystems and amplify otherwise marginalized voices.

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

Steven G. King Play Environments Scholarship
Award: $5,000

Ava Ross
BLA Candidate, University of Washington

Ava was raised in the Skagit Valley, a rural area north of Seattle and to the west of the Cascades. She spent her childhood along creek beds and old growth forests. She is currently earning her Bachelor of Landscape Architecture with a minor in Urban Design and Planning from the University of Washington. Some of her interests include local ecological systems, climate resilient plantings, and design for play. Ava is fascinated by the urban fabric and constantly examines the systems affecting life in the city. She dreams of implementing large scale coastal resilience designs and playscapes that create healthy bodies and relationships.

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

ASLA Florida Chapter Career Discovery Scholarship
Award: $5,000

Sophia Neves
MLA Candidate, Florida International University

Sophia is a Brazilian-American graduate student currently studying landscape architecture. She has a Master in Architecture degree from Florida International University and is currently a TOM Fellow for Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM) Global. She is seeking a deeper understanding of environmental restoration practices that benefit social and economic needs. In the future, Sophia hopes to make a positive contribution to the communities that have raised and given her access to invaluable knowledge. 

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

ASLA Florida Chapter Career Discovery Scholarship
Award: $5,000

Weishunhua Zhang
MLA Candidate, University of Florida

Since childhood, Weishunhua was drawn to art and design work. She finds that bringing an idea to actualization is satisfying. She decided to undertake an undergraduate degree in industrial design, which was very fulfilling. However, she wanted to find a career directly related to people's health and being able use her skills. She is now pursuing a major in landscape architecture, which allows her to connect to nature while offering therapeutic landscapes that can give back to the community through the healing process.

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

Hawaii Chapter ASLA/David T. Woolsey Scholarship
Award: $2,000

Christine Flauta
MLA Candidate, University of Minnesota

Christine has a bachelor's degree in Geography from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and worked for the state of Hawaii, DLNR, under the Division of Forestry and Wildlife doing non-native plant management and forest restoration. She has enjoyed her work in conservation and hopes to intertwine her knowledge of ecology with her growing knowledge of landscape architecture. She is interested in the relationships between people and place and how people view their surrounding environment. During her free time, she loves being outdoors--mountain biking, hiking, and camping.

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

Peridian International, Inc./Rae L. Price, FASLA Scholarship
Award: $5,000

Aimee Kirby
Certificate Candidate, UCLA Extension

Aimee is a landscape designer and owner of bi-coastal, residential design firm, Ferox Studio. Currently, she is pursuing a certificate in landscape architecture from UCLA Extension, as well as SITES and LEED AP, and pursuing licensure in the state of California. With these tools, Aimee plans to expand her scope of interest for the greater stewardship and ecological equity in both public and private landscapes through regenerative and inclusive design in the age of the Anthropocene. She is also interested in engaging the agendas of landscape architecture to other practices, mediums and philosophies, such as writing, photography, textiles, and beyond, linking humans to landscape with relatable and accessible venues.

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

Douglas Dockery Thomas Fellowship in Garden History and Design
Award: $4,000

Alicia Fahrner
MLA Candidate, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Alicia was guided toward pursing an MLA by her passion for the environment and a variety of life experiences, including as a ranger fellow in Central Park, an outdoor educator at two nature camps, and a horticulture intern at a botanical garden, among others. Since summer 2021, Alicia has been working as a garden intern at the historic Hilltop House & Studio in Cazenovia, NY, where she is reimagining several large garden beds through the artful and experimental lens of the original garden designer, Dorothy Riester, but with a modern ecological twist.

Congratulations to Our 2022 Scholarship Winners!

Douglas Dockery Thomas Fellowship in Garden History and Design
Award: $4,000

Sierra Roark
PhD Candidate in Anthropology, University of North Carolina

Sierra is a PhD student in Anthropology whose research combines archaeology, ethnohistory, historical ecology, and ethnobotany to understand intersections of human-environmental relationships, well-being, and the formation and manifestation of identity and power in the colonial Chesapeake. Using archaeobotany, artifacts, and archives, she will examine communities of practice, landscape management, and garden design among European colonists, Euro-Americans, Africans, African-Americans, and American Indians living in the Tidewater region of Virginia and Maryland from 1600-1800.