Featured Member: Ilana Simmons on HBCU CONNECT!

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Q&A With Ilana Simmons

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Ilana Simmons
Student, Student
Location: Richmond, VA United States
Joined: Jul 31st, 2025

About (request update)

I am a design student at Howard University specializing in the intersection of Architecture and User Experience. My work is driven by an innate interest in human interaction and a commitment to ensuring that physical and digital spaces serve as intentional environments for connection. I focus on the human layer of design, using my studies to explore how to prevent local erasure and preserve the cultural soul of communities during development and recovery.

I am looking for a career as a strategic asset to firms that value a fresh, empathetic perspective. My goal is to bridge the gap between technical design and lived experience, creating social buffers that allow people to feel seen. I aim to apply my interdisciplinary background to build ecosystems where individuals can heal and radiate.

Website:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilana-simmons

Education (request update)

Howard University class of 2028

Undergrad Major: Architecture

Most Memorable Moment:

My time at Howard University has been defined by the "beautiful struggle" of the architecture studio and the deep responsibility I carry for my community. One of my most defining moments was balancing the intensity of midterms with the urgent need to organize relief efforts following Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. Although I did not grow up there, the island is the foundation of my family�s history. Between study sessions, I was on the phone with my mother, planning logistics and coordinating supplies to help revitalize the neighborhoods that shaped my heritage. This experience solidified my purpose; it taught me that design and leadership are vital tools for protecting a community�s soul during a crisis. This sense of resilience defines my daily life in the studio, where the blurred lines between late nights and early mornings are made manageable by the kindness of my non-architecture friends who act as my unofficial DoorDash drivers. Even the frustrations of campus life, such as standing in line for hours for Springfest tickets only to have them sell out at the door, became moments of grit as I headed straight back to the studio to pull another all-nighter. I found a vital support system in the sisterhood of Phi Sigma Rho National STEM Sorority, a group of women who understand the specific pressures of our field and provide a space for both joy and growth. These experiences eventually followed me to Seoul, where I realized that the architecture experience is truly universal. Pulling a late night in a South Korean studio felt exactly like pulling one in D.C., proving that the dedication to our craft transcends borders. Whether I am organizing relief from a dorm room or analyzing urban patterns abroad, these moments have shaped me into a designer who values the human connection behind every structure.

Experience

I currently work with Student as Student
I have 1 years of experience working in the Architectural Services industry.

Conference Volunteer | ARCC International Conference
From April 2025 to April 2025 • 0 year(s)
Coordinated registration, scheduling, and logistics for 300+ attendees and supported panel discussions, keynote sessions, and workshops.

Laboratory Assistant | Howard University College of Engineering and Architecture
From January 2025 to April 2025 • 0 year(s)
Supported critical infrastructure and laboratory improvement projects, conducted safety inspections and compliance checks, and assisted with upkeep and organization of core laboratories.

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