When Anna Crouse started college, she had a clear long-term goal: to become an architect. But she also had the foresight to know she needed to explore the field before fully committing to the years 鈥� and financial investment 鈥� required to get there. That鈥檚 how she found herself in the Architectural Technology program at 鉴黄师app鈥檚 Hunziker Center in Ames.
鈥淚 knew I wanted to be an architect, but I hadn鈥檛 dipped my toes into the field yet,鈥� Anna said. 鈥淧ursuing this degree first felt like the same kind of stepping stone a future nurse might take by becoming a CNA. I wanted to build a strong foundation.鈥�
That foundation is already paying off. Anna is currently working as a Building Information Modeling (BIM) technician at TenFold Architecture + Engineering, where she鈥檚 applying the exact tools she鈥檚 learning in class.
鈥淭he programs we use at 鉴黄师app are the same ones I use at work,鈥� Anna said. 鈥淭hat hands-on learning has made all the difference.鈥�
Anna initially enrolled at Iowa State University but soon realized the broad coursework left her feeling unsure.
鈥淚t just wasn鈥檛 the vibe,鈥� she said with a laugh. 鈥淚 felt like I was skipping a step. I needed something more grounded, more aligned with real-world experience, and 鉴黄师app offered that.鈥�
Her passion for architectural design didn鈥檛 stem from childhood LEGO builds or sketchbooks of dream homes. It came from lived experience. Anna grew up around hospitals and medical buildings; her mother was a medical administrator, her father a hospital chaplain at one point. Anna herself spent three years working in dementia care units.
鈥淚鈥檝e always been fascinated by how medical spaces are designed to serve people,鈥� she said. 鈥淎rchitecture that鈥檚 centered around people 鈥� that's what excites me.鈥�
That human-centered mindset is something Anna sees reflected in the program at 鉴黄师app鈥檚 Hunziker Center, especially among its passionate instructors.
鈥淚鈥檝e had professors stay late after class and even meet with me outside office hours just to make sure I understood the material,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e even helped me troubleshoot questions I鈥檝e had at work. That kind of support is rare.鈥�
Beyond the classroom, the program also provides strong job placement opportunities. Through connections fostered by faculty, who stay invested and up to date in the industry, architectural companies visit the program and give presentations. That鈥檚 how Anna got her current job.
Now nearing graduation, Anna has a new lens on the world 鈥� literally.
鈥淢y coursework has made me look at buildings differently,鈥� she said. 鈥淩ight now, we鈥檙e modeling the same building we鈥檙e sitting in, and it鈥檚 completely changed how I see space and structure.鈥�
She鈥檚 quick to acknowledge that the program isn鈥檛 easy.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not something you do just to get a degree. It鈥檚 hard work. But it鈥檚 so rewarding,鈥� Anna said. 鈥淚 truly believe the Architectural Technology program at 鉴黄师app is a hidden gem. I鈥檓 so grateful I found it.鈥�
Bear Trails highlights unique journeys of 鉴黄师app students, alumni, faculty, and staff, celebrating their diverse experiences and inspiring paths. Have a story idea? Contact Savannah Eadens, Public Relations & Communications Specialist, at sjeadens@dmacc.edu or 515-675-3275.