Bethany Lundell Garver, AIA

Bethany Lundell Garver, AIA

At BAC, where she has held several positions since arriving in 2014 after many years with Rafael Viñoly Architects, Garver brings people together, including thousands of students, hundreds of adjunct faculty members, and firm partners from across the world. As dean of practice, she oversees numerous college-wide courses and career development programs that encourage architecture students to actively engage with their communities and clients while also emphasizing the importance of applying academic knowledge to real-world problems. In addition, she continues to evolve the college’s groundbreaking work-study curriculum, which has broadened experiential learning and paid professional practice opportunities for students who do not fit the mold of privilege.

As the leader of the college’s renowned co-curricular practice component, she guides more than 600 students through a process of learning by doing. The program’s combination of professional practice work and academic studies ensures its undergraduate and graduate students complete a minimum of 3,000 practice hours, which is equivalent to 1.5 years of full-time work. To satisfy their graduation requirements, her students reflect on what they’ve learned through blogging, portfolio reviews, and one-to-one meetings with practitioner faculty members.

Garver currently serves on the American Institute of Architecture Students’ (AIAS) national board of directors and has previously served on the board of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture. Beyond the profession, Garver has helped enriched the lives of K-12 students through art as a board member of Root Division, a nonprofit committed to accessibility in the allied arts.

An eager mentor, Garver is deeply engaged with initiatives that support a diverse range of individuals, including BAC students and faculty, AIAS student leaders, emerging professionals, and design leaders. Leveraging a 360-degree approach to her engagement, she dedicates more than 10 hours each week to mentorship.

Through her work, Garver has redefined the landscape for architectural education and practice while instilling the importance of service in a new generation of architects who are dedicated to meaningful change. She is a true model of leadership and positive influence.