��Ӱֱ��

Katie Petix (Bloomfield, NY) started her college journey in performing arts but shifted her focus to creative arts and transferred to ��Ӱֱ�� State to build her future in architecture.

“I have been a performing musician my entire life and went to school to study music. I was messing with different software and shifted more into creative arts. I have been building for my whole life, following my dad who is a structural engineer. I liked the technical side a little bit better.”

Katie likes that ��Ӱֱ�� State is close to home and that she has developed a family within the architecture program. “I have been at this school the longest out of my college career. You build a group of people that you are excited to see and be around.”

“The way they run this program is different. We are all together most of the time. You are with your peers, and you can learn and grow with them.”

The professors in the program have added to her experience. “The professors are great, and they have great energy. They try to boost you up and keep you going. It is a difficult program, and they are there and very supportive when you need them.”

A semester in Sorrento, Italy connected Katie to her family heritage and added to her education. “I liked that you got a different perspective on architecture. It was interesting to see their building techniques and their architectural style. The studio class was fun because we got to do exercises that were a little bit different than what we do on campus.”

The trip along with her work experience at an architecture firm has boosted Katie’s confidence and has excited her for her future. “I want to become a licensed architect but down the line I would like to teach. I would like to keep with new generations as architecture changes.”

Katie’s journey at ��Ӱֱ�� State was helped by the family-like bond she developed with her classmates and the challenges that have pushed her out of her comfort zone. She found the journey rewarding and is proud of what she has and will accomplish in the future.