51ÁÔĆć welcomed students from across the Rio Grande Valley on Friday, July 11, 2025, for the first session of this year’s Project Pipeline Camp, a national architecture summer camp designed to introduce students to careers in architecture through hands-on learning and mentorship.

Project Pipeline is a nationwide summer camp initiative organized by the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). Since 2020, the Central Texas Chapter of NOMA has coordinated camps at the University of Texas at San Antonio, the University of Texas at Austin, and, most recently, in the Rio Grande Valley through a partnership with 51ÁÔĆć.

Launched in the RGV in 2024, this iteration of the camp represents an important step in expanding access to architectural education and mentorship for students from underrepresented backgrounds.

While last year’s inaugural RGV camp welcomed 12 students, this year’s installment has seen enrollment more than double to 30 eager participants. The Project Pipeline camp has a unique approach in that it is designed to appeal to both students who have already decided to become architects as well as those who are curious about the field as a whole.

“It’s not only for the students who have already decided that they want to pursue an architecture degree,” said Dr. Adriano Rios, an instructor in TSC’s Architecture Program. “This program is mostly designed to introduce students to the profession of architecture. We invite local and regional professionals to share with them what their pathways were to become a licensed architect or designer, as well as what options they might have.”

The success of Project Pipeline is made possible through the support of local and regional Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) professionals, including volunteers from the American Institute of Architects – Lower Rio Grande Valley Chapter (AIA-LRGV). These mentors donate their time and expertise to guide students through their first steps in architectural design, strengthening the profession locally while also paving a path for future talent.

“At the local level, we make sure that we are offering all of the services that our architects need, providing them with professional development and continued education, “said Maria Sustaeta, Executive Director of AIA-LRGV. “We advocate for the profession, and we also do a lot of fundraising to offer scholarships to our future architects in the Rio Grande Valley.”

As part of the camp, the students had opportunities to engage in a number of activities, including a detailed look into the intricacies of architectural renderings and an interactive board game exercise, before being assigned a dedicated design project in order to test their skills and offer up a golden opportunity to receive direct feedback from their mentors.

One of the unique aspects of the Texas Project Pipeline camps is the statewide collaboration. Camps in Austin, San Antonio, and the Rio Grande Valley are held simultaneously, giving students the opportunity to connect via video call, present their projects, and learn from one another across cities. This shared experience fosters a broader sense of community and shared learning beyond regional boundaries.

Through continued collaboration and mentorship, the Project Pipeline Camp at TSC is inspiring the next generation of architects from the Rio Grande Valley, as well as expanding their ability to create opportunities for students to envision themselves in a field where diverse voices and ideas are increasingly vital.