A dense, multi-page narrative can lose the jury quickly, whereas a high-impact, data-driven summary page acts as an immediate hook. It frames the entire submission by establishing the scale of your legacy before they even dive into the case studies.

Have your colleagues encouraged you to apply for AIA Fellowship? Do you have a cadre of supporters ready to participate in advancing your case? Have you then looked at the AIA’s “Examples of successful applications” and thought, I can’t compete with that? I can assure you most of those who started this journey, and have been successful, had similar thoughts. 

In reviewing successful AIA Fellowship submissions, a pattern has emerged. For those pursuing Object 2, Practice (Management), the jury isn't just looking for “good work,” running a firm exceptionally well, or any of those standards of practice we strive for. The jury seeks a clear “ripple effect” of leadership, innovation, and sharing. I like to call it your “resonance”…

The declining number of new Fellows is a red flag. Here are some thoughts on a path forward…

My experience in helping FAIA nominees across the country for 20 years as a volunteer and consultant indicates the juries have become more critical…

In 2023, I began a series of posts titled, "I turned to A.I. to understand the 2023 AIA Jury of Fellows results…" at a time when the number of candidates elevated to Fellowship had begun a steady decline…