Incoming architecture students named 2026 AFO scholars

Two incoming College of the Arts students have been selected as 2026 AFO Scholars by the Architectural Foundation of Oregon (AFO).

This year's Tsagaglalal (She Who Watches) Scholarships were awarded to Kylie Speer and Lisa Ike-Lopez, incoming School of Architecture undergraduates who are both transferring to PSU in Fall 2026.

Kylie Speer is an emerging Architecture student and member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, whose work focuses on culture, community, and belonging. "I am committed to becoming an architect who listens, collaborates, and designs with cultural awareness," she wrote. "Representation matters, not just in who designs spaces, but in whose experiences those spaces reflect." Kylie is transferring from Chemeketa Community College, where she has pursued her education while raising four children.

Lisa Ike-Lopez is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Her interest in the discipline of architecture is inspired by its blend of technical precision and creative expression, but also by the potential impact architecture can have on the health of a community. "I had a realization when visiting my community during the 2020 lockdowns that the infrastructure was not good," she wrote. "It sparked a passion in me to use architecture as a way to help design better standards of living." Lisa is transferring from Portland Community College to Portland State University, where she intends to gain the skills needed to design spaces that enable communities to thrive.

The renewable $10,000 Tsagaglalal Scholarship (pronounced "sha-glal") was established in 2022 in honor of Native American artist, mentor and advocate Lillian Pitt. This award is granted yearly to Native American, Alaskan Native and Hawaiian Native non-graduating students pursuing a degree in Art or Architecture at Portland State University.

The Architectural Foundation of Oregon is a non-profit organization working to promote architectural excellence. Their goal is to support and increase awareness of how architectural design impacts quality of life. Each year they award several scholarships to students they recognize for contributing diverse voices in the field of architecture. Read more about the Architectural Foundation of Oregon.