Ephraim currently serves as a Branch Manager for the Department of Defense, where he provides design and technical production oversight and support to a diverse group of architects and interior designers. During his years of service, Ephraim has received numerous awards, including the ODNI IC Excellence Award for his planning and execution contributions as a team lead.
Prior to joining the DoD, Ephraim worked for a Louisiana-based firm, McSwain Architect, specializing in commercial, residential, government, and mixed-use development. Ephraim contributed to several notable projects at McSwain Architect, including General Dynamics Integrated Technology Center.
Ephraim received his Master of Architecture degree from Louisiana Tech University in 2015. Driven by a passion to foster community and conversation surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion; he established the University’s first NOMAS chapter and served as the chapter’s president. Ephraim received the honor of Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges and the Alpha Rho Chi Medal for his commitment to service. He is a new member of the DC NOMA and the AIA.
Outside of the workplace, Ephraim enjoys marrying his love for the built environment with his artistic abilities by creating educational and unique art pieces of iconic architecture around the world.
Maddison Wells was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. As a New Orleans native and a Black woman, she believes in researching, designing, and developing for equity. Wells is a Tulane University’s School of Architecture alum; in 2021, she graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate. She then proceeded to graduate with a Master of Business in Architecture & Design from IE University’s School of Architecture & Design. In the spring of 2021, Maddison placed 1st in IE University’s MBArch Entrepreneurship Challenge in the category of Urban Life and Urban Space. She also had the opportunity to be a speaker at the virtual TEDxTulane conference, Beyond the Conversation. Her speech, “The Self-Reparation of Black Communities,” proposes a potential solution for the reparation of historic discriminatory policies, interventions, and contemporary mentalities that have contributed to the continuous divestment of black communities. She is now attending Howard University and working towards a Ph.D. in Sociology. Maddison seeks to integrate sociological research into the design process as a means of measuring the impact of buildings on communities over time.
Originally from Natchitoches, Louisiana, Calvin now resides in New Orleans, Louisiana as a founding member and associate of studio^RISE. He discovered his love of architecture and design at an early age. He grew up in a large family of artists and designers and fell comfortably into that mindset. Calvin left Natchitoches to attend Tulane School of Architecture and graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture, cum laude, and Master of Architecture degree with a minor in Urban Design in 2017. This included studying urban design, architecture and furniture design at DIS in Copenhagen. Calvin has 6+ years’ experience with varying projects and has led teams for larger programs and designs, including single family residential, university work, schools and restaurants. He is a certified LEED Green Associate and recently started studying for the ARE. This past year, Calvin has worked with Tulane School of Architecture as an Alumni Mentor and guest reviewer. He is a co-chair of the AIA New Orleans chapter of the Small Firm Exchange and is attending the 2023 AIA Louisiana / ACEC of Louisiana Emerging Leaders Institute. Calvin also likes to sketch with the New Orleans chapter of Urban Sketchers.
I am a designer at Ennead Architects currently in my second year of pursuing licensure. I graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Architecture along with a minor in Architectural History. I currently reside in Brooklyn after moving here 2 years ago from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Mainly working in higher education, I have found an interest in how we can continue designing and creating equitable spaces for students and collaborators. My professional research interest includes developing workflow strategies that measurably offset environmental justice concerns and engage with local communities here in New York.
Conrad Ontimara will be attending the University of Miami in the fall, majoring in Architecture. He is the first of five siblings to attend college. He chose University of Miami for the location and the tools to help him fulfill his goal of becoming an Architect. Ontimara believes architecture is more than just designing and views it as more of an experience. As a future architect, he hopes to move people physically and emotionally as they enter a space he will soon develop.
Kaleb Jenkins is a rising freshman at Louisiana State University. He has performed in school musicals, was a member of both the soccer and track teams, and devoted time to mentoring elementary school students. Kaleb has held many leadership roles and is passionate about helping those within his community. Growing up, he loved to draw and create new designs which led to his interest in architecture and what motivated him to pursue a career in it. Kaleb is looking forward to immersing himself in his architecture studies at LSU.