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Taisiia Kolisnyk has been selected as the overall Fall 2021 Outstanding Master’s Graduate. She was nominated for the award by the School of Architecture and Design in the College of the Arts, and was chosen among five finalists as the overall honoree by the Alumni Association.

Kolisnyk will be recognized during the Graduate School Commencement ceremony on Friday, where she will receive a master of architecture degree.

She first came to UL Lafayette from her native Ukraine to complete her bachelor’s in architecture before continuing on to the master’s program.

As a graduate assistant for the College of the Arts Digital Fabrication Lab, she has been essential in supporting students during the pandemic.

“This lab requires her to be at the top of her game with the latest in design technology — from laser cutters, CNC routers, software and 3-D printing machinery,” notes Ashlie Latiolais, associate professor of architecture and graduate coordinator for the master’s program.

“Tai coordinated student submissions for fabrication and delivered their work so the ‘making’ continued in the time when students could not occupy campus,” she says.

Kolisnyk has also excelled at mentoring undergraduate students, and performed tutorials for those who were struggling.

“As a considerate, empathetic, and dedicated near-peer mentor for undergraduate students, she has contributed tremendously to retention efforts and overall student satisfaction,” Latiolais says.

Kolisnyk has been an active member of university chapters of NOMAS (National Organization for Minority Architecture Students) and AIAS (American Institute for Architecture Students), and participated in the Lafayette Habitat for Humanity’s 1020 design-build home project.

Her project on designing for equity was selected to represent the UL Lafayette School of Architecture in the NOMAS Barbara G. Laurie Student Design Competition.

Kolisnyk has received several design excellence awards from the School of Architecture, including the Edward C. Mathes Endowed Superior Board of Regents Graduate Student Scholarship in Architecture and the American Institute of Architects South Louisiana Endowed Scholarship.

Kolisnyk has earned the distinction of passing the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate exam, administered by the US Green Building Council, “a distinction that most professionals have yet to conquer,” Latiolais notes.

“Her combination of commitment, perseverance, and creativity will certainly make her an excellent asset to humanity, a proud alum of UL Lafayette, and create a real impact on the global architectural community at large.”

After graduation, Kolisnyk will join the Corgan Education Studio team in Dallas while working towards her professional architecture license and pursuing professional credentials in green building design and sustainability.

“My goal is to utilize the knowledge and drive I received at UL Lafayette to sharpen my professional skills and make a difference for the local community and architecture,” she says.