At a glance
“Our classes are so interactive. We are always spending time together in the studio, and we collaborate on almost everything. We can go from Wellsville town planning and design all the way up to our thesis projects that combine a variety of topics.”
Joanna Musacchio
Joanna Musacchio (Canastota, NY) has been able to make Alfred State home by combining her academic and campus activities to prepare to be in demand as she enters the workforce.
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Alfred felt like her hometown. “It is pretty much the same environment as where I grew up and I felt really connected here. I was able to study both architecture and interior design. It was a perfect school to get experience in both areas.”
The connections to her classmates and her professors have enhanced Joanna’s experiences. “Our classes are so interactive. We are always spending time together in the studio, and we collaborate on almost everything. We can go from Wellsville town planning and design all the way up to our thesis projects that combine a variety of topics.”
“Our professors help so much with design. Not only pushing you to do what you want to do but assisting you along the way in any aspect possible. They go out of their way to really help us get jobs; they really push all of us to be better.”
Joanna has used internship opportunities to enhance her skills and knowledge. “I have had two internships, one in Buffalo with a historic preservation firm and at a design build architecture firm in Syracuse. I love the internships that I have done, and Alfred has really pushed me to get some of the best jobs in the field.”
Joanna and her classmates have learned and work with the Revit program that is used in the industry. “Everybody wants people who know Revit. That is what we are using in the field so we can jump right in to any design and really excel because we have built those skills here.”
On top of her academics, Joanna has been a member and served in leadership roles in the local American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) and the sustainability club. She has also competed in design build competitions and been a member of the Center for Architecture and Remote Sensing (CARS) and the Star Center organizations on campus.
Joanna encourages others to follow her path. “I push people to come to Alfred State all the time because I love it so much and want to share that with others. The architecture department is one of the best in the state and you will get the best jobs out of here. It is a great environment to both work and spend time in.”
Alfred State has given Joanna the blueprint for a successful career.