LPA Design Studios Announces 2025 Diversity in Design Scholarship

Now in its fifth year, the program takes aim at systemic inequality in the architecture and engineering professions.

IRVINE, Calif., March 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LPA Design Studios today started accepting applications for the 2025 LPA Diversity in Design Scholarship, which aims to address systemic inequality in the design professions. Now in its fifth year, the annual program provides financial support, mentorship, and internship opportunities to students from historically marginalized communities.

Opens: March 14, 2025
Deadline: May 21, 2025
Apply here: https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/lpa/

Through the scholarship, LPA grants up to five graduating high school seniors $5,000 toward their degree in architecture, engineering or a related field. Scholars may renew the gift annually for up to four years, or until a degree is earned. Each is paired with a mentor who is a professional in their field of study, and receives priority when applying for internships in LPA studios.

"LPA is committed to empowering a generation of designers who reflect the rich diversity of our communities," said Wendy Rogers, CEO of LPA Design Studios. "What makes this program unique is its focus on relationships and hands-on experience, which are critical to helping students succeed in their studies, their careers and their lives."

The design professions — including architecture, engineering, landscape architecture and interior design — have a long history of underrepresenting women and people of color. Only about 2% of licensed architects in the United States are Black — a statistic mirrored across related fields. Programs like the Diversity in Design Scholarship address the causes of this disparity, which include limited exposure to design careers, financial barriers to education, and a lack of mentorship opportunities.

Since its launch in 2020, the Diversity in Design Scholarship has provided $220,000 in ongoing financial support for 18 students, with the first cohort currently in their senior year. Two of those students, Elisabeth Gutierrez and Diego Riverbay, were hired in summer 2024 as interns in the firm's San Antonio and Irvine studios, respectively.

"Seeing the first scholarship recipients enter the workforce, it's clear this program is making a real impact in the industry and changing the lives of students," said LPA Senior Project Architect Melody Tang, who has been involved with the program since its inception. "We've seen growth and determination in every scholarship recipient so far, and we're excited to add even more to our roster in 2025."

The Diversity in Design Scholarship is administered by Scholarship America on behalf of LPA for Change, a volunteer board focused on aligning LPA's charitable giving, internal programs and company policies with the firm's vision of a more equitable and sustainable industry. LPA for Change initiatives include participation in the National Organization of Minority Architects' Project Pipeline, the ACE Mentor Program of America, and the International Living Future Institute's JUST program.

Applicants must be California or Texas high school seniors accepted into a full-time undergraduate program at an accredited college or university. Preference is given to students who have overcome significant challenges in their academic pursuit and/or belong to a group historically underrecognized or marginalized within the building and design industry. The selection committee will consider financial need and take into consideration whether students are the first generation in their families to attend college.

For more information about the LPA Diversity in Design Scholarship, please visit https://lpadesignstudios.com/diversity-in-design-scholarship.

About LPA
LPA is a multi-discipline firm focused on collaboration, inclusion and an integrated design process that connects building performance and design excellence. Founded in 1965, the firm's mission is to deliver timeless, sustainable designs that benefit the environment, generate lasting value, enrich the human experience and ensure a better future. With seven studios in California and Texas, LPA's team includes more than 500 in-house architects, master planners, engineers, interior designers, landscape architects and research analysts, working across a wide array of sectors. In 2025, LPA was honored with the national AIA Architecture Firm Award, the nation's highest honor for an architectural practice. For more information, visit lpadesignstudios.com.

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SOURCE LPA, Inc.