Providence, RI – Union Studio,s Vada Seccareccia has begun her term as president of the American Institute of Architects Rhode Island Chapter for 2014. Working with the AIA RI Board of Directors, Seccareccia has outlined the following initiatives as priorities for the organization in 2014:– Hosting the AIA New England Conference in Providence in September. This conference typically attracts over 200 design professionals from throughout New England for various programs, one of which is the AIA New England Design Awards.
– Increasing collaboration with other design professional organizations. Last year, the AIA RI successfully teamed with other organizations of design professionals to plan events such as PARK(ing) Day with the American Society of Landscape Architects and a film series with the American Institute of Graphics.
– Completing a redesign of the AIA RI website. This will improve functionality for members and be a resource for events and news associated with AIAri and the design community.
– Creating a process that links architectural mentors with mentees. Seccareccia is working with AIA RI’s Emerging Professionals Committee, Professor Jim Barnes of the Rhode Island School of Design, and Dean Steve White of Roger Williams University to start up a process for mentors and the architects looking to find a mentor.
Currently there are 257 AIA members in Rhode Island.
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In addition to her volunteer AIAri presidency, Seccareccia serves as Designer and Marketing Coordinator at Union Studio Architecture & Community Design. The immediate past president (Douglas Kallfelz) and president‐elect for 2015 (Stephanie Zurek) are also with Union Studio.
Seccareccia says, “In addition to our initiatives, we also have a regular schedule of architecture‐related events that the public is welcome to attend. I encourage interested community members to visit ww.air‐ri.org or follow us on twitter @AIARhodeIsland to learn more.”
Seccareccia holds a Master of Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design and a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Bryn Mawr College.
The American Institute of Architects is the national professional membership organization for licensed and emerging architects, serving as the “voice of the architectural profession” and providing numerous resources ranging from continuing education to market research. 
