Dear NOMAct Community,

 

As we close out the first quarter of 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the exciting strides we've made and celebrate the incredible work happening within our chapter.

 

In these early months, our focus has been on strengthening our community. We’ve teamed up with AIA Connecticut’s Emerging Professionals to host ARE Study Groups, provided crucial support for licensure candidates by awarding 4 ARE scholarships, and continued funding the University of Hartford’s Summer Institute scholarship. It's been a fantastic start to the year.

 

NOMA was founded to elevate underrepresented voices, and I’d like to use this platform to highlight some of the exceptional members of our NOMAct community. On the heels of Women in Construction Week, a time to celebrate the significant contributions of women in our field and the trailblazing women shaping the future of architecture and construction, I want to shine a light on Aurora Perreault.

 

Aurora, our Programming Chair and an Architectural Designer at Patriquin Architects, has had an immense impact on our programming and beyond.

As a former president of NOMAS at the University of Hartford, Aurora played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of architects from developing an Architecture Career Week, which focused on honing participants’ skills and helping them connect with industry professionals to creating social events that brought together students from all parts. Her leadership in organizing events for NOMAS left a lasting impact on her peers. 

 

She continues to make an impact in the larger community through her work with the ACE Mentor Program and AIA Connecticut’s Emerging Professionals. Aurora has mentored many individuals in our community, helping to shape the careers of future leaders in architecture. It’s no surprise that she was named NOMAct's 2024 Member of the Year—a well-earned recognition for her ongoing dedication to advancing diversity in the architecture field.

 

Thank you, Aurora, for your incredible contributions to our chapter and for being such an inspiring leader. To everyone in our NOMAct community, I encourage you to get involved—our chapter thrives on the energy and support of each one of you. Your involvement makes a real difference.

 

A big thank you as well to our sponsors, whose support helps make all of this possible. If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor or making a donation, please reach out to us at sponsorship@nomact.org.

 

Let’s continue to grow, support one another, and make this year even more impactful!

 

With appreciation,

Cassandra Archer, AIA, NOMA

President, NOMAct​