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Kiwana T. McClung, Assoc, AIA, NOMA, is a Professor in the School of Architecture & Design at the Â鶹ҹÊÐ. She is a Master of Architecture graduate of Louisiana State University's School of Architecture and Design and is nationally recognized for her research on inclusive design practices within the built environment and methods for addressing diversity within architectural education and the architecture profession. Her mentorship of students from all backgrounds, efforts toward increasing diversity within a school of architecture, and her creation of inclusive architectural education curricula all contributed to her being recognized as the recipient of the 2016 Diversity Achievement Award from the Association for Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA). Kiwana is a member of the ACSA's leadership committee, an executive board member of the National Organization of Minority Architects' Louisiana Chapter (NOMA LA) serving as Academic and Research Coordinator, and is an associate member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) at the national, state and local levels. Since starting at Â鶹ҹÊÐ in 2013, she has served as the faculty advisor to the UL chapter of NOMAS, the Â鶹ҹÊÐ student chapter for the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). Before joining the faculty at Â鶹ҹÊÐ and at various times during her tenure as a faculty member, Kiwana worked as an Architectural Designer, both independently and with several firms around South Louisiana. 

Kiwana chairs several committees at the university the Women's Leadership Conference Committee. She is a member of the UL Chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society and was recognized by the Â鶹ҹÊÐ as their 2021 Eminent Scholar in Leadership and Service, one of the highest honors awarded by Â鶹ҹÊÐ. Kiwana is the co-editor of two books and is a chapter contributor to both works. The book 'Through Mama's Eyes: Unique Perspectives in Southern Matriarchy' (UL Press), co-edited with Cheylon K. Woods, was released in 2021 and 'An Introduction to Inclusive Healthcare Design' (Taylor & Francis), co-edited with Dr. Denise M. Linton, was released in June of 2024. 

B.A. - Bachelor's of Arts and Humanities, May 2008
Southern University and A&M College,  Baton Rouge, LA

M.ARCH - Master's of Architecture, May 2012
Louisiana State University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA

Diversity in the Design Professions; Socially Responsive & Culturally Restorative Design; Social Justice Design; Architectural and Spatial History of Underrepresented Cultures; Community Design for Resiliency

Opportunities for Student Research/Collaboration:

Issues in Architectural Education

Explore barriers in architectural education and curricular issues that have perpetuated the undesirability of pursuing contemporary architectural education by design students from different backgrounds. Explore methods to counter this condition and broaden the spectrum of voices and experiences in architectural programs and curricula. 

Cultural Spatial Studies 

Examine the complex spatial dynamics of our interconnected and evolving societies and consider how these dynamics shape our everyday environments. Develop an understanding of how the decisions made by future designers and planners influence the spaces we all share. Investigate points of tension, overlooked historical narratives, differing worldviews, ways of living, and the phenotypical differences that converge in ways that are not only social but also spatial in nature.  

Woods, Cheylon, Kiwanan McClung, (Editors). Through Mama's Eyes: Unique Perspectives on Southern Matriarchy [Book], Collection of Essays; Â鶹ҹÊÐ Press, October 26, 2021

McClung, Kiwanan (Author). Building H.E.R. House: Interpreting Gendered Spaces, Visualizing Matriarchal Autonomous Tradition and the Anecdotal Exploration of Southern Black Female Spatial Misogynoir in Literature [Book], Essay in the Book Through Mama’s Eyes: Unique Perspectives On Southern Matriarchy, edited by Cheylon Woods and Kiwana McClung; Â鶹ҹÊÐ Press, October 26, 2021

• Friends of the Humanities Founders Award Winner
• Recipient; College of the Arts, Lafayette, LA; Awarded Spring 2021.
• Â鶹ҹÊÐ  Eminent Scholar Award Winner - Leadership in Service Recipient; College of the Arts Candidate, Lafayette, LA; Awarded Spring 2021.
• McClung, K. (2016). 2016 ACSA Architectural Education Awards.
• Recipient, Diversity Achievement Award; Association of Collegiate Schools Architecture 2016 Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA