Alumni Council
Woodbury School of Architecture
The WSOA Alumni Council is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and enduring connection between the school, its alumni, and the profession. Our mission is to actively engage, support, and inspire alumni in their personal and professional journeys while advancing the continued success of Woodbury School of Architecture students.
About The WSOA Alumni Council
The inaugural Woodbury School of Architecture Alumni Council was formed in 2023. As the Alumni Council matures and evolves, we seek opportunity to foster engagement with our alumni community and to strengthen the bond between the alumni and the University.
The WSOA alumni community is a vital resource for current and prospective students. We’re proud of the effort alumni have made this year to support the WSOA including the highlights below.
- Alumni Portal: The Alumni Council has worked with the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs to activate and sustain a new online platform for connecting alumni to one another and to the University.
- Mock Interviews: The Alumni Council helped students prepare for transition to the profession by offering mock-interview sessions. The alumni provided critical feedback on professional presentation including soft skills that will help student land their summer internship or first professional job.
- Career Fair: The alumni community came out in droves to connect WSOA students with job opportunities. Forty-seven percent (47%!) of the firm participants were WSOA alumni.
A vibrant alumni community is critical to the health and mission of the WSOA. As alumni, you impacted the trajectory of the institution during your time as a student. And you now represent the value of the institution to the professional community.
Finally, the WSOA is working hard to provide a world-class education accessible to all. Please consider donating to the School of Architecture Fund which provides flexible funding the school needs to implement innovative programming, expand curriculum, acquire specialized tools, and provide financial
Our Pillars
I. Nurturing Lifelong Relationships
We strive to cultivate a strong sense of community among alumni, students, faculty, and staff. By providing meaningful opportunities for networking, mentorship, and collaboration, we aim to foster lifelong relationships that enrich the personal and professional lives of our alumni.
II. Empowering Alumni Success
We are committed to empowering our alumni to thrive in their careers and contribute to the built. environment. Through career development initiatives, continuing education programs, and access to industry resources, we aim to equip our alumni with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to excel in their professional endeavors.
III. Celebrating Achievements
We take pride in the accomplishments of our alumni and the impact they have made in the built environment and beyond. We celebrate their achievements, recognizing their contributions through awards, publications, and events, while inspiring current students and the broader community with their stories of success.
IV. Enriching the Learning Experience
We actively collaborate with the school’s faculty and administration to enhance the educational journey of current students. By providing opportunities for alumni involvement in curriculum development, guest lectures, and workshops, we contribute to the holistic growth and education of aspiring designers.
WSOA Calendar
Woodbury School of Architecture alumni council’s calendar of events, meets, and upcoming gatherings.
Meet the Council
Learn about the members who make the WSOA alumni council possible. The council has subgroups that include The Alumni Engagement Committee, The Student Engagement Committee, and The Professional Engagement Committee.
Contact Us
Wil Strickland
Director of Outreach
[email protected]
[818] 252-5263
Parsa Rezaee: M.Arch, Class of 2020
Parsa Rezaee a Los Angeles-based designer and educator with a Master of Architecture (M. Arch) from Woodbury University. Her teaching journey spans Woodbury University, USC, and LAIAD, where she has been committed to fostering the next generation of design thinkers. In the professional realm, she has contributed to residential architecture at Bestor Architecture and urban projects with Los Angeles Metro. Her passion lies in the transformative potential of education and the vital role of designers and educators in shaping our world.
Kevin Flores: B.Arch, Class of 2021
Kevin Flores is a Los Angeles native and proud alum of Woodbury University, having graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 2021. His journey in architecture started with a childhood fascination for construction and urban development, igniting a passion that led him to pursue a career in design. Since graduating, he has gained experience in a boutique firm specializing in multi-family projects, focusing on crafting efficient and comfortable living spaces. Kevin advocates for sustainable and human-centric design practices, seeking to positively impact both the built environment and the communities it serves.
In his dedication to professional growth, Kevin is diligently working towards obtaining professional licensure, with aspirations to make meaningful contributions to the architectural profession. Alongside his commitment to education, Kevin has served as a Teaching Assistant at Pasadena City College, providing guidance and support to students. He also actively engages with the Woodbury University community, contributing through alumni activities and serving as a mentor in the WSOA STEM Mentorship Program.
In his leisure hours, Kevin finds joy in reading about architectural history and theory, exploring new design processes and techniques, cooking for loved ones, playing guitar, attending heavy metal concerts, and planning future trips with his partner.
Gabriel Alaka: B.Arch, Class of 2007
Gabriel was born in Lagos, Nigeria and moved to Sofia, Bulgaria at the age of 8 where he learned to read, write and speak fluently in Bulgarian. In 1999, he moved to Los Angeles as a Sophomore at Burbank High School. His curiosity for Architecture started while taking drafting classes in his Junior and Senior year which then lead him to apply at the nearby Woodbury University. He graduated from Woodbury University with a Bachelors of Architecture in 2007 and has ever since been in the industry.
Upon graduation, he worked for a small firm in Los Angeles (R204Design) which specializes in mixed-use and commercial building types primarily in India. In 2013, he shifted to a completely different architype by joining WET Design who specializes in Water Features. This is where he found his true passion for Architectura and has been with the company for over 10 years. He is currently a Project Architect and BIM Manager at WET and has been involved in many projects around the world. One of the most prominent projects he was involved in in called Surreal and it is located in Dubai, UAE at the EXPO 2020 complex.
Throughout his time at Woodbury, Gabriel had no desire to become a licensed architect, but that motivation came later in his career and he decided to pursue that goal in late 2015. He became a licensed Architect on January 2nd, 2018 and has been a member of AIASF and AIAPF.
He got married in 2015 and his wife also attended Woodbury as an accounting major. They have a 5 year old son that is already well travelled as he has joined his parents on their various escapades around the world.
Nathan Fisher: B.Arch, Class of 2016
Nathan graduated from the Woodbury School of Architecture in 2016 with his Bachelor of Architecture degree. Nathan is a Los Angeles native and is currently the National Director of Architecture for Thomas James Homes a single lot real estate developer both in Los Angeles as well as other divisions around the western half of the United States. He is a licensed architect in the State of California and a member of the local AIA LA chapter. Nathan is always finding design inspiration through travel, contemporary art, and studying the details of Southern California’s architectural masters including Richard Neutra and John Lautner. When he is not exploring the city, he also enjoys camping and attending concerts around LA on the weekends.
Jon Garcia: B.Arch, Class of 2012
Jon Garcia is a designer, strategist, and educator based in Los Angeles, California. His decade-long experience in large-scale commercial and interior design, focusing on tech, media, and hospitality, has allowed him to bring a wealth of design knowledge. Jon is a Senior Design Manager for NBCUniversal’s Global Real Estate group. Before joining NBCUniversal, Jon was a Senior Designer at AECOM and Gensler, where he worked on large-scale commercial and interior projects like INTUIT DOME, The Culver Studios, Sony Pictures, Apple Media and Naughty Dog, to name a few. Jon is also an adjunct professor at Santa Monica City College, teaching Architecture and Interiors. Jon earned his B.ARC. from Woodbury University.
Caroline Morris: BFA Interior Architecture, Class of 2013
As an interdisciplinary designer, project leader and strategist, Caroline has specialized in transformational environments for clients globally. She has a decade of wide-ranging experience including master planning, creative workplace, residential and exhibit design. Caroline’s work is rooted in unearthing her client’s functional and social goals to allow human-centered design to be a catalyst for meaningful change. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture from Woodbury University and an emphasis on graphic and product design, she brings a deep understanding across all scales to every project. At Clive Wilkinson Architects, she leads the firm’s workplace strategy alongside the Design Director. She has excelled in the complex, technically challenging and highly collaborative process of conceiving, developing and producing world-quality architecture and design for the firm and its clients. She has contributed to several award-winning projects at Clive Wilkinson Architects including lululemon Drake HQ in Vancouver, the GLG Global Headquarters in New York and Austin, Publicis North America Headquarters in New York, The Barbarian Group in New York, Intuit’s Marine Way Building in Mountain View, the upcoming lululemon Global Headquarters in Vancouver, Malouf HQ in Utah and the Intuit Bayshore Building in Mountain View.
Jesse Santiago: B.Arch, Class of 2014
Jesse a. Santiago, AIA, is an architect at Burdge Architects. He has experience ranging from large scale luxury hospitality and multi-family development to providing onwer’s representation services in higher education and hospitality. Jesse is an active member of the American Institute of Architects and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, fostering dialogue and forums for diversity, inclusion and opportunities for all members. He currently is a member of the AIA California Council Board of Directors, the AIA San Fernando Valley Board of Directors and Woodbury University’s Alumni Council and a subject matter expert for NCARB.
Jesse is a licensed architect in the state of California, accredited by the National Council of Architectural Regstration Boards, and a LEED Green Associate. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Woodbury University with a minor in Urban Studies and a Certificate of Urban Policy.
Shweta Joshi: M.Arch, Class of 2016
Shweta Joshi, a LEED BD+C certified licensed Architect, is a highly accomplished Project Designer at HMC Architects. With a strong passion for sustainability, she leads analysis and design initiatives for the HMC San Jose office, and has worked on a variety of award-winning projects.
Her expertise lies in seamlessly integrating design, technology, and sustainability to create resilient and low-impact buildings. In addition to her professional pursuits, Shweta is an advisory board member at Chabot Architecture College and a Board Member at the non-profit Design for Future Foundation. In her spare time, she dedicates herself to mentoring students and emerging professionals preparing for ARE exams. Her dedication and leadership were recognized in 2022, when she received the Legacy Award from Chabot Architecture College in recognition of her outstanding partnership and leadership.
Breanna Garcia: B.Arch, Class of 2016
In 2009, Breanna started working at Horwitz A+D doing residential architecture and would continue through her school journey at Woodbury University. While at Woodbury, she received the 2016 LABC Julius Shulman Emerging Talent Award and graduated with her Bachelor’s of Architecture. She spent over 6 years crafting immersive experiences as a Show Set and Facility Designer at THG Creative, working on projects such as Universal’s Epic Universe and the new and improved Top of the Rock 30 Rock Experience. She has returned to Horwitz A+D to continue redefining spaces as their Senior Designer.