Tyler School of Art and Architecture senior architecture major Elizabeth Caccavano ((BSArch '21) has been involved with the American Institute of Architecture Students since freshman year, attending regional and national meetings, working on committees and learning about leadership. 

In the fall, Caccavano was elected to the organization’s national leadership team to serve a one-year term as AIAS’s Northeast Quad Director, a position that makes her the primary contact for chapters at 54 colleges and universities spread across 15 states.

Caccavano will be responsible for ensuring that chapters have the resources to recruit new members, conduct activities, and learn about how as architecture students they can impact their field and the larger community. 

“It really teaches you how to advocate not only for yourself but for others,” Caccavano said of her participation with AIAS, adding that as an active member she has come to better understand studio culture, the importance of work-life balance, and the impact of volunteering.

While at Temple, Caccavano has served as the AIAS Chapter President and Chapter Secretary. In 2019, Caccavano co-chaired the AIAS Northeast Fall QUAD Conference. Currently, she is Temple University’s NCARB AXP Student Liaison, Freedom by Design’s Project Manager, and chair of the AIAS National Social Justice Task Force, which focuses on equity and diversity, and advocates for the rights and needs of underserved and minority groups of students.

Caccavano said she will be spending her final year with succession planning for the Temple chapter and encouraging a new cadre of architecture students to consider taking on the chapter leadership role. She also hopes to help finish a chapter planter project with neighboring Berean Presbyterian Church in North Philadelphia, all while attending the national organization’s two major conferences and completing her BSArch requirements. 

“I hope people realize everything the board has done to make a positive difference in the future for architecture students locally and nationally, that we’re inspiring people and not just hitting the books, and that we’ve made it easier to see the benefits of leadership experience,” Caccavano said when asked how she would like to be remembered. 

“I’m really excited to hit the semester head on,” she added. “I’ve got really wonderful professors, so I’m aiming to get good grades and finish up strong.”