The University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design is fortunate to have such strong and dedicated student organizations focused on student support and advancement throughout their academic careers. Each year, new Hines College students are invited to Welcome Day – an annual tradition facilitated by the College’s student organizations the weekend before the start of the semester.

Welcome Day is an entirely student-run event taking place annually – even virtually in 2020 – for almost three decades. Current students spend the summer meticulously planning and organizing every event detail in preparation for the start of the new academic year. The event is funded solely through donations from the community and allows new students to attend a less formal orientation, giving them a more personal look into College life.

“Welcome Day is an amazing opportunity for incoming students to get to know their new College. Incoming students are paired with current students from their major to tour the building and learn more about where their classes will be and the resources on campus available to them,” said Emmelia Ward,  Future Women in Architecture, Vice Chair of Administration. “By spending the day with students from various years within the College, new students get a chance to learn from what others before them have experienced.”

Incoming students also have the opportunity to interact with faculty and firm sponsors and learn about the College’s student organization and how they can be involved. Through a series of presentations, tours, and conversations, new students come out of Welcome Day ready to begin their studies at the College.

“Typically, there is an organization fair on Welcome Day. This can help students decide which organizations would help them achieve their college goals,” shared Kadmiel Konan, CoAD Student Council President. “There is also a raffle of useful items collected and purchased by the upper-level students.”

The is no short supply of goodies for new students attending Welcome Day, including free t-shirts, small gifts, and other architecture supplies. Every part of Welcome Day focuses on supporting incoming students.

“It is amazing to see all of the student organizations work together to plan this event and extremely rewarding to see students enjoy Welcome Day and wear their shirts in the following weeks,” said Ward. “The volunteer work by current students makes this event so special!”

For many, Welcome Day is something that creates a lasting impression on their time at the Hines College. This impact drives students to continue the tradition for future years.

“Welcome Day is important for all students because it is an opportunity for upper-level students to share their stories with freshmen,” shared Konan. “This usually leaves them less intimidated and more inspired about their first semester.”

Click here to learn more about this year’s Welcome Day.

Hines College Student Organizations:
American Institute of Architecture Students
Alpha Rho Chi-Cleisthenes Chapter
Future Women in Architecture
Interior Architecture Student Organization
LGBTQ+
National Organization of Minority Architecture Students
Student Industrial Designers Society of America
Student Council
The Architecture Lobby
The Makers and Doers Club

Students who planned Welcome Day 2022: Mary Aguilera, Emmelia Ward, Amber Quinn, Ashton Ezell, Aya Daouk, Christopher Torres, Edison Chu, Kadmiel Konan, Loryn LaMonte, Mae Boutwell, Marina Latto, Nancy Mosqueda, Regyna Palacios, Phillip Le, Vivian Ian Ung, Estelle Lee

Students who helped or served as a volunteer at Welcome Day 2022 (excluding the students above): Adriane Monroy, Aishwarya George, Amaris Bobbio-Tarco, Ariyan Fouladvand, Avery English, Dave Schuman, Estefy De anda, Esther Olukosi, Grasiela Magana, Isabella Nguyen, Kirsten Crowson, Kirsten Reyes, Marcos Coronel, Maria Noguera, Morgan Mendenhall, Pooja Desai, Saige Prucha, Samuel Charbula, Sarah Rupani, Sarah Wong, Shayna Smith, Sofia sierra, TaMyria Levy, Taylor Langmead, Thomas Feuillet, Kate Rodriguez, Danielle Zabaneh, Elissar Zabaneh, Eriberto Luna, Haleigh Esene, Holly Skipton, Jane Vu, Jeffery Sosa, Jessica Merhav, Lucky Subramania, Maritsa Cabrera, Melissa Amaro, Nancy Mosqueda, Shruti Shukla, Tiwanioluwa Bayo-Adeyemo, Vincent Taylor, Davone Morgan, Insherah Alhajrasi, Jordan Lueck, Tarek Moubayed

Photos provided by Loryn LaMonte, Kate Rodriguez and Emmelia Ward.