Alumnae Honored for Advancing Practice-Based Architectural Education

Garver and Bolden are recipients of the 2025 AIA/ACSA Practice + Leadership Award, presented by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) as part of ACSA’s Architectural Education Awards. The honor recognizes “best practice” examples of highly effective teaching, scholarship and outreach in the areas of professional practice and leadership.

Both alumnae have played pivotal roles in The Practice Component, a practice-integrated education model at the Boston Architectural College (BAC).

“The Practice Component doesn’t just prepare students for the profession—it immerses them in it,” Garver said. “We’ve built a model where education and practice are not separate lanes, but part of the same journey. That connection boosts students’ confidence, purpose and capacity for leadership as change agents in an evolving profession and world.”

Working alongside colleagues Dr. Ashley Tannebaum, Director of Collaborative Practice, and Maria Sardinas, Director of Career Services, Garver and Bolden have fostered a comprehensive learning experience that engages students in the classroom, the community and the workplace.

Garver, Dean of Practice and Faculty, directs the BAC’s Gateway Office, where students earn credit for collaborating with community partners, while Bolden, Director of Experiential Learning, leads Practice Assessments, guiding students as they apply their skills in real-world settings and reflect on their development. Together, along with Tannebaum and Sardinas, they have created a holistic approach to practice-based education that prepares students for leadership roles in the field.

At the BAC, the “practice” component goes beyond traditional internships. Students gain hands-on experience through paid employment, firm visits, networking events, construction site tours and more. The program encourages students to build their portfolios and gives them a competitive edge as they move forward in their careers.

“Auburn instilled in us the values of the citizen architect—designing with empathy, social responsibility and a commitment to people and place,” Bolden stated. “Through a culture of design-build, mentorship and hands-on engagement—both in and beyond the classroom—Auburn faculty helped us see ourselves as stewards of the built environment and the profession. Now, as educators at the BAC, we draw on those values to guide students through professional learning experiences, helping them shape fulfilling careers and advance the future of practice.”