Alumni Stories

Designing Milwaukee: Architect and UWM alum creates places that inspire and connect

Rinka, a 1997 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Architecture & Urban Planning, has helped shape some of the area’s most recognizable recent building projects, such as The Couture, a striking new lakefront tower. But long before redefining the local skyline, he was a kid living in an unusual Wisconsin home — one that quietly influenced the way he understood design, environment and human experience.

UWM architecture alum wins awards, builds bridges for Black architects

Richie Hands, a UWM architecture alum, credits a formative moment with professor James Shields for pushing him to grow early in his career. In under 15 years, he has worked on major projects and earned national recognition, including the American Institute of Architects’ Young Architects Award and UWM’s Graduate of the Last Decade Award. Hands has also focused on expanding opportunities for Black architects through leadership in the National Organization of Minority Architects’ Project Pipeline program.

Community service work grounds urban planning student in her career pursuit

Elaina Rodriguez always had an interest in health care, but knew she didn’t want to be a nurse or doctor. Instead, she saw herself using her bilingual English-Spanish skills in administrative work and followed that vision to a bachelor’s degree in health care administration. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she spent a lot of time considering the link between community development and public health. That spark led Rodriguez to UW-Milwaukee’s Master of Urban Planning program. She was attracted to the curriculum.

International education resource hub spotlights architecture alum

Recent SARUP graduate Gunjan Kaur (MArch 2023) landed her dream job as a design consultant at Kohl’s, one of the nation’s leading omnichannel retailers. Originally from Chhattisgarh, India, Kaur took a leap of faith by deciding to study in the …

Ali Kopyt honored with Impact Award by UWM Alumni Association

Ali Kopyt ’08 (MArch, MUP) was recently awarded the 2025 Impact Award by the UWM Alumni Association. Kopyt is a rising star architect with a passion for historic preservation, adaptive reuse and affordable housing. Prior to joining KORB, she worked …

Urban Planning alum working to improve Clarke Square Area

Kevin Kuschel (MUP 2018) is making a significant impact in the Clarke Square area. Drawing on his education and expertise in urban planning from SARUP, Kuschel is using his position as executive director of the Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative to …

UWM alum finds fun and success on Lego reality TV show

Alum Paul Wellington (BArch ’12, MArch ’15) and his sister are competing on reality TV show LEGO Masters, putting his experience and passion for architecture – and LEGOS – to the test in a whole new setting. UWM’s Kathy Quirk …