Caitlin Senne
Degree: MArch
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2021
Previous Degree: BS, Design, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
I’m From: Lincoln, NE
Why I Came to the UO and How I Chose My Major
I chose the University of Oregon because of its focus on climate and spatial justice. The ability to grow in knowledge and ability to engage these areas as they relate to architecture (and beyond) was the most important factor in choosing a graduate school. The College of Design has helped me understand these issues much more deeply, and I feel more capable to address them in my future career. I’m excited to see how my second and final year in the program will expand this knowledge and engagement further.
I achieved a Bachelor of Science degree as an Interior Design major. Throughout my undergraduate career I became increasingly aware of issues related to the climate crisis, as well as spatial and social justice, surrounding the architectural field, and the world at large. I chose to pursue a Master of Architecture degree in order to expand my knowledge of how architecture can address these issues.
Unique Qualities I Bring to My Studies
I come from a background and life perspective of extreme empathy. A midwestern upbringing taught me to care deeply for everyone around me, and I bring this mindset into my studies. I hope to employ this quality as one that will drive my career to uplift spatial justice in the built environment and beyond.
My Influential Professors
The spatial justice fellows program has been especially influential on my time at the University of Oregon. Craig Wilkins, who was the Pietro Belluschi Distinguished Visiting Professor in Architectural Design, taught me a lot about spatial justice and architect’s agency to bring about change in this profession. All of the spatial justice fellows that I have had the privilege of interacting with have brought invaluable insights into what is possible for the design profession if we employ empathy in our practice to a much greater degree. Justin Fowler, director of the Portland Architecture Program, has also been highly influential in my first year. His teaching on Care Practices, and his course on Interior Urbanism highlighted a lot of important areas of study within the design field. His introductory seminar was an awakening as to what architects, and the world, faces in terms of the climate crisis. The way his outlook on the discipline of design has shaped my own is invaluable to me.
My Extracurricular Activities
I am involved in the HOPES Conference, a student-led conference on the connection between sustainability and the design profession. This last spring, we held the conference online and reached a wider audience than we imagined was possible. This year I will take on a leadership role in this organization, and we are hoping to continue growing this conference to reach more people and continue conversations on how the design profession can better create sustainable outcomes. This conference was also something that drew me to the University of Oregon. The opportunity to engage with scholars around such an important topic, and to participate in its planning, has allowed me to interact with like-minded students, faculty, and professionals who are exploring the relationship between design and ecology for the better.
My Greatest Learning Experience at UO
I traveled to Mobile, Alabama as part of Craig Wilkins’ Spatial Justice course. The course and the trip taught me a lot about spatial justice and likely changed the course of my career for the better. We explored nontraditional ways that architects can employ their skills in order to serve the people who need it most.
After Graduation
My greatest hope is to find a way to communicate the climate crisis and its cascading impacts on spatial, environmental and social justice using the skills I gained throughout my education to change the design discipline for the better. I’m not sure exactly what that looks like yet, but I’m glad to have another year ahead with great faculty that can help me explore this ambition even further. I hope that we, as humans, can use our collective imagination to lead ourselves into a future that will provide justice for all life.
Your Gift
This scholarship is helping me achieve my goals by reducing financial stress and providing a sense of recognition for hard work. This helps me by allowing me to focus on studying what is important to me and giving me the courage to direct my education toward my values in design and in life.
Thank you so much for donating to the school and supporting the next generation of emerging designers. It means a lot that you see the value in education and that you saw value in my education and in my work. I hope one day we can meet and I can thank you in person for your generosity.