New Boudreaux Scholars

2024 Boudreaux Scholars aim to
enhance underserved communities and preserve important histories

By Maggie White, for Tulane School of Architecture

Aliyah Murph, Karina Roca, and Lawanda Jackson, have been selected as the 2024 Boudreaux Scholars at the Tulane School of Architecture (TuSA).

Through the generosity of the Boudreaux Family, TuSA launched the scholarship program in 2021 to support students from historically underrepresented groups, including first-generation college students, veterans, financially/economically disadvantaged applicants, etc. The initiative seeks to diversify TuSA’s community and create opportunity paths for professions involving the built environment. The scholarship program is part of TuSA’s broad commitment to fostering equitable, diverse, and inclusive practices inside and outside the classroom.

All TuSA applicants are automatically considered for this award, regardless of of race, national origin, sex or any other demographically protected criteria. Tulane University is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

Each year, the scholarship is awarded to one incoming student from each graduate program at the school: Architecture, Historic Preservation, and Sustainable Real Estate Development.

A graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Design (DAAP), Aliyah Murph has known for most of her life that she wanted to become an architect. She will pursue a Master of Architecture at TuSA, with the aim of then acquiring her architecture licensure. Murph feels strongly that representation for women of color is crucial for the architecture field, citing the tiny percentage of African American women who are licensed architects in the United States. With her license, Murph plans to use her design skills to enhance the quality of life in underserved communities through the built environment, championing elements like tree coverage, public libraries, and walkable grocery stores, which are often sparse in these communities.

“I believe in diversity in design – and I believe that black women should have a voice in this field,” says Murph. “My goal as an architect is to give back to underrepresented communities. There’s so much that designers can control and it’s often not appreciated enough. I want to give communities the gift of design.”

Beginning a Master of Science in Historic Preservation, Karina Roca hails from Boston, MA. She received her undergraduate degree from Pace University and currently works as an apprentice blacksmith in New Orleans under master blacksmith Darryl Reeves. In addition to stewarding rare ironworking techniques and methods she learns from Reeves – and assisting him with restoration projects in the community – Roca has plans to digitize and preserve much of Reeves’s work. She has a passion for building community around historic aspects of the urban, built environment.

“I have an acute awareness of my built environment and its power in shaping a community, especially if viewed through the lens of honoring traditional, ancestral ways of being and becoming,” says Roca. “At Tulane, I look forward to being surrounded by scholars and academics who really care about preserving history truthfully and honestly--with integrity.”

A long-time resident of Baton Rouge, LA, Lawanda Jackson is embarking on a Master of Sustainable Real Estate Development at TuSA. Jackson owns her own mortgage company, Turn Key Mortgage, and has been acquiring and renovating homes for years. She also holds a real estate license. Leveraging these areas of her professional life – as well as the education she will receive at Tulane – Jackson has plans to expand Turn Key to house mortgage, real estate sales services and builder/development services. Ultimately, Jackson aims to develop comfortable, affordable, and aesthetically pleasing housing for underserved communities and luxury real estate homes.

“I want the homes I develop to be affordable, energy efficient, and in areas that are safe. I want the owners to be proud of saying, ‘Hey, I own this,’” says Jackson. “I started classes at Tulane this summer and I'm already married to this program. I’m trying to soak up as much knowledge as I possibly can.”

The Tulane School of Architecture is now accepting applications for all graduate programs for Summer and Fall 2025. If you are interested in applying, please visit the school’s website at https://architecture.tulane.edu/admissions/graduate or contact
Michael J. Cusanza, Associate Director of Admissions, at mcusanza@tulane.edu.