AIA Grand Rapids, in collaboration with the Michigan Architectural Foundation (MAF), has named Brittany Bardman and Deja Carter as the 2026 AIA Grand Rapids Scholarship Recipients. Both Emerging Professionals were chosen to receive this annual Student Scholarship to help support their ongoing architectural studies.
The selection jury honored this year’s awardees for their stellar academic records, standout leadership, deep passion for architecture, and active involvement in the community.
A total of 58 applications were submitted this year by students exemplifying design excellence, leadership, and community service. These scholarship awards aim to celebrate student achievements while alleviating the rising costs of an architectural education. Earlier this year, the 2026 recipients were celebrated at a ceremony hosted at SmithGroup’s offices in Detroit’s Guardian Building.
While MAF awards annual scholarships to undergraduate students entering or enrolled in Master of Architecture programs, AIA Grand Rapids offers scholarship opportunities to both undergraduate and graduate architecture students.
A $2,000 AIA Grand Rapids Graduate Scholarship was awarded to Brittany Bardman, a graduate student at Ferris State University. A Wyoming native pursuing her Master of Architecture in Grand Rapids, Britt focuses on residential design and phenomenology to examine how space influences the human experience. Her experience spans studio practice and volunteer design-build efforts, grounding her work in both construction craftsmanship and spatial poetry. Set to graduate in Spring 2027, she looks forward to contributing to the West Michigan design community. Reflecting on her journey, Britt noted, “Architecture is never finished by the one who designs it. The best spaces are anchored enough to belong and porous enough that life can move through them.”
An additional $2,000 AIA Grand Rapids Graduate Scholarship was awarded to Deja Carter, who is likewise pursuing a graduate degree at Ferris State University. Currently serving as President of both AIAS and NOMAS, Deja refers to herself as a professional over-extender. Outside of her active leadership roles and academic pursuits, she enjoys training her three German Shepherds. Reflecting on her architectural education, she remarks, “The more I study architecture, the more I realize how much I like being outside.”
Funding for these annual awards is raised in part through the AIAGR Golf Outing, which took place June 17th at Saskatoon Golf Club. AIA Grand Rapids extends its sincere thanks to all friends, colleagues, and sponsors who joined the 2026 event. Special recognition goes to our Event Sponsors: Dinner Sponsors — Axis Lighting & Terracon; Golf Cart Sponsors — Allegion & Bradley; Dessert Sponsor — EV Construction; Closest to the Pin Sponsor — ABD Engineering & Design; Get it on the Green Sponsor — Builders Exchange of Michigan; and our countless Tee Sponsors. Thank you to each and every one of you for your support and commitment to this annual event.
Both recipients will be recognized during the AIA Grand Rapids 2026 Honor Awards Celebration on October 8th at GLC Live at 20 Monroe. Please join us in celebrating Britt and Deja!