When Seniha Atas ’22, an architectural design + technology major, was beginning to consider her career path, she found inspiration through her father. She says throughout middle and high school, she was researching about different fields based on her hobbies and interests—and what she could really pursue as a career. Atas found motivation by watching her father’s involvement in the education and business fields that brought him to his love of giving back to the community. “With my father being my role model, I wanted to follow his steps and do the same," she says. “I always had a passion to draw and serve others, and took my first step by taking a class from the Fashion Institute of Technology. There, I learned various skills such as hand-drawing techniques, use of color queue, and understanding the human anatomy, but felt as if that was not what I wanted to pursue.” It was while Atas was there that her advisor suggested taking a glance at architecture.
When Atas began to explore the potential career paths in the architecture field, she researched which schools in the area offer a top-notch program to match her goals. She found attending a private higher education institution was important because of the privileges and advantages students may have compared to public or state schools. “The fact that there aren’t as many students with the same privileges in my hometown of Paterson, New Jersey, made me quickly realize that the conditions of the school we attend mold who we are for generations,” Atas says. “This mere fact made me want to pursue a career in architecture because I want to be a part of the change in developing better circumstances for the underprivileged, which is giving back to the community that gave me so much.” It was at the University of Hartford where Atas realized she could make this dream a reality. When asked why she chose to attend UHart, she recalls the moment she visited UHart during the Accepted Student Day event on March 9, 2018.
Seniha Atas ’22, architectural design + technologyI immediately felt UHart was the home I belonged to and wanted to pursue a career at. The dedicated faculty and students showed a glance of what I would be experiencing if I attended UHart. Having smaller class sizes allows students to meet professors in person and form a one-on-one bond. Also, the diversity of students on campus brings liveliness to the community within that not many other schools offer.
Atas notes since she began as a student at UHart, the faculty and staff have been nothing short of supportive. She credits Jim Fuller, Department of Architecture chair, program director, and associate professor; as well as Associate Professor Seth Holmes for being great advisors and directing her in choosing the right career path within the architecture field. Atas also thanks the professional staff in the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture (CETA) for continuously supporting her, motivating her to reach her goals, and empowering all women in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry.
Atas has not wasted any time during her college career. She not only is highly involved on campus but has also been given the chance to work with individuals from industry. In 2019, she was assigned two mentors from the award-winning architectural and interior design firm Amenta Emma Architects by Professional Women in Construction (PWC). “At Amenta Emma Architects, I learned and engaged with professionals from the field and had the opportunity to see how they effectively collaborated together to complete projects,” Atas says. “I met biweekly with my mentors and experienced on-site visits to grasp the real work that goes on behind the scenes of a project.”
Along with Amenta Emma Architects, PWC organized panels every other month discussing topics in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries that Atas was able to participate in. Because of her hard work and dedication to industry, PWC CT awarded Atas in July 2020 a $3,000 scholarship. As she entered her junior year, Atas was also awarded a CETA Aetna Ladder Scholarship for the 2020–21 academic year. CETA’s Associate Dean for Student Support David Pines awarded Atas the scholarship, thanking her for her hard work and excellent academic performance. “It’s the curiosity and effort that you bring to the classroom every day that uplifts all CETA students and inspires the faculty,” he noted.
Atas continues to stay involved at UHart. She continues to serve on the Women in Architecture and Design executive board as the co-founder and vice president. She is also the developmental manager of Freedom by Design associated with the American Institute of Architecture Students UHart chapter. Furthermore, Atas serves as a member of the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students and the Muslim Students Association. Upon graduating with her bachelor’s, she plans to continue her education at UHart through the accelerated Master of Architecture program.