Women in Design – Kansas City | Scholarship

In celebration of our five year anniversary WiD-KC has established a scholarship fund designed to empower women studying in all design professions.  This scholarship is available to women at any level of study, who are in pursuit of a degree in design related fields such as Architecture/Interior Design/ Landscape Design/Industrial Design/Product Design.  Judgment for the WiD-KC scholarship is based on need, academic excellence and demonstrated leadership. Click on the links below to download the application or to donate to the Scholarship fund.

Our First Recipient

Congratulations to Katie Gallagher, a fourth year Architecture student at K-State, for being awarded the first WiD-KC scholarship!  Katie was honored at the AIA-KC/KCAF scholarship reception on Tuesday, August 9th in downtown Kansas City.  The awarding of the scholarship was a big moment in WiD-KC history, as it marked the success of one of WiD-KC’s original five-year goals.  Applications for next year’s scholarship will be available in January 2012.

Interview with Katie Gallagher

WiD-KC: Where did you get your interest in design?
Katie: I’m not sure exactly who planted the seed, but I have a journal entry from Kindergarten that says, “When I grow up I want to be  an Architect.”  Since then the idea of using my hands to create something has kept me more than interested in the design field.

WiD-KC: What are your goals for the semester, the rest of your time in school, and 5 years after graduation?
Katie: This semester in studio my main focus is to learn the Construction Document and Detailing phases in the design process.  With that said, I want to focus my goals of the semester into detail of connections and gaining an overall understanding of the different systems within a building.  My goal for the rest of my time in school is to enjoy to the fullest the ability to design things without money being one of the main factors in design.  In most cases that I have seen, design can sometimes be oppressed by monetary concerns, which is one part of the design process that I hope to change for the better.  With that said, in the following 5 years after graduation I hope to work at a firm with a strong background in design and a diverse building type array.  I want to learn as much as possible about all the different building types and the roles within the design process itself.  Another goal that I hope to accomplish before my 5 year mark from graduation is to complete and pass all of the licensing tests and become a licensed architect.

WiD-KC: What clubs/organizations are you involved in?
Katie: At school I find my niche in helping others.  I was a Resident Assistant in Marlatt Hall for two years and enjoyed the opportunity to help others and be a major role model for students in their transition into college.  In addition to being an RA, I am the President of the The Plot Club,which is a student run group that handles all of the printing in the architecture department.  Outside of a few other commitments on campus, I also enjoy swimming, playing volley ball and being active.

WiD-KC: Do you plan to study abroad?  If so, where and what are you most excited about?
Katie: I do indeed plan on studying abroad and I am most definitely excited (as I wrote this I got the butterfly feeling in my stomach)!  I will be leaving in January to study in Orvieto, Italy which is in the central region of Tuscany.  I am most excited to learn about and see first-hand the places that have formed Architecture.  The ability to witness the beauty of design that has lasted centuries is something that I have been looking forward to since I chose K-State.  There isn’t one building in particular that I’m looking forward to over another, I am just excited to soak in the whole experience.

WiD-KC: Have you been able to do an internship and if so, what did you learn?
Katie: I had an internship this summer and the experience was worth more that I can say in words.  I learned things that we are not taught in school and appreciate the opportunity to experience my field.