Renee Parry ’22, an architectural design + technology major, says the architecture field is not only a profession that allows her to follow her passion for visual arts, but it also caters to her need for a challenge within STEM fields. “When I was younger, I was very artistically inclined, and had an affinity for drawing and painting images of my own composition,” Parry says. “These were mostly landscape scenes that were entirely fictional with twists of reality, in terms of content.” Parry believes this hobby of hers is where her desire to be in a design field stems from. She also says she found inspiration to pursue architecture as a profession after working for her father’s construction company. “It was there where I found interest in the understanding of how or why building materials went together and, further, what their purpose meant.”
Parry’s decision to attend the University of Hartford was made possible through the annual scholarship competition. She felt honored to be part of an event that gathered “the best of the best” of high school seniors who all had the same aspiration to attend the University. Being a recipient of the scholarship solidified her ambition and encouraged Parry not to hesitate on any future opportunities that would come her way. While the scholarship helped seal the deal, she had her eyes set on UHart long before, after attending several open house events and speaking one-on-one with faculty and current students. She also participated in CETA’s student day visit program and shadowed several architecture students during the day. “The way the students and faculty made me feel welcomed and that I was more than just a statistical number for an incoming class size is what really helped me make my decision,” says Parry. “The faculty and students treated me as an equal rather than as an unsure high school student.”
Renee Parry ’22, architectural design + technologyI am further pursuing this major because I have found great interest in the potential that my degree offers. I have never been one to know exactly what I want to do for the rest of my life, and the program here at the University offers me the versatility that I seek. There are many different directions into which I can take my degree, whether it is into construction or project management, or various design fields ranging from building construction, urban design, graphic design, interior design, landscape design, and more.
Parry highlights just how many amazing faculty there are at UHart. “The faculty take the time to get to know each student and work hard to accommodate the individual needs of each student,” says Parry. “There have been times when I was struggling with the course material and my faculty reached out with helping hands and wasted no time pointing me in the right direction.”
In particular, Parry recognized Jim Fuller, department chair, program director, and associate professor, for all he has done for architecture students and the program at UHart. “He, along with the rest of the Department of Architecture faculty, consistently makes sure students are receiving the highest quality of education that this program has to offer.” Along with her faculty, Parry credits the support of CETA’s staff for their support and guidance throughout her college career.
At the start of the spring semester, Parry sent out her resume and portfolio to various architecture and design firms looking to hire summer interns. Her hard work paid off after participating in the Department of Architecture’s first annual career week in February, where she had the opportunity to meet with numerous architecture firms. She recently landed an internship with Tecton Architects in Hartford, Connecticut, for this summer. “I will be working directly with team leaders and architectural and interior designers in their Hartford studio,” says Parry. “Day-to-day tasks will include supporting the building information modeling software used within the architecture industry (Revit) for on-going projects to 3D visualization, participating in elevating project designs, and the pursuit of new work.”
Parry knows not to let any good opportunity pass her by. She recently spoke on a nationally broadcasted web call with the American Institute of Architects, where she and the other panelists discussed topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the architecture profession and education. She also joined four other students and Associate Professor of Architecture Ted Sawruk on a local radio show called Open Studio, hosted by Maria Johnson, to speak about her experiences related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in architecture education.
Most recently, Parry was chosen as the undergraduate student representative for the Board of Regents for the 2021-2022 academic year.
Along with these exciting opportunities, Parry has stayed very involved within the architecture program. During her first year and sophomore year, she served as a studio representative for her perspective studios. In this role, she was responsible for bringing the concerns of students to the department chair and proposing potential solutions. She also helped co-found a new student architecture club on campus during the spring semester of her first year called Women in Architecture and Design. She currently serves as the president of the organization and has led many events, fundraisers, and career and educational opportunities for aspiring female architects and designers. She is also involved in the American Institute of Architecture Students UHart chapter, the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students UHart chapter, and the Society of Women Engineers UHart chapter. Parry also serves as a student ambassador for the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture’s Leadership Society, where she gets to meet prospective students. Finally, most recently, she was given the opportunity to teach a physics lab at UHart during this past fall semester.
When asked what advice she would share with prospective students, Parry says to stay open-minded and accept as many opportunities as you can handle. “This is the best way to find out what you are passionate about and what you’re not,” says Parry. “Be open to accepting that passion changes and new challenges will arise, all helping you discover what you want to do and where you want to go with your life.”