Timothy is a fifth-year Architecture student in the College of Architecture & the Built Environment.
What makes you unique?
I bring resilience and resourcefulness to everything I do. Growing up in a low-income community, my father taught me that creativity isn’t about what you have it’s about how you use them. That mindset shapes how I approach design: turning constraints into opportunities.
What drives you to study architecture?
I’ve seen how the built environment can either support or limit people’s lives. That’s why I’m passionate about community-focused architecture that creates equity and resilience. I admire architects like Francis Kéré and Alejandro Aravena, who prove that limited resources can still produce powerful, dignified spaces.
Tell us about your path to Jefferson.
After high school, I studied at Reading Area Community College while working as a medical interpreter, which opened my eyes to the struggles underserved communities face. I later enrolled in the Architecture program at the Community College of Philadelphia and eventually transferred to Jefferson, where I’ve found the perfect balance of technical skills and creative exploration.
What professional experience have you gained so far?
I’ve had the pleasure of interning with Amtrak on the station design and development team for close to two years, where I learned how large-scale projects come together. Over the summer I had the opportunity to intern at Hord Copeland Macht, gaining hands-on experience in design development and proposals for K-12 and Higher Ed projects.
What’s one thing that stands out about your Jefferson education?
What stands out to me most is how the program pushes me to expand my creativity across disciplines. Each semester I’ve not only grown technically but also learned to approach design from new perspectives. I’ve been introduced to tools I never have had the opportunity prior to my time learning architecture like coding, digital fabrication, and 3D printing, each one has opened up possibilities I never saw before. At Jefferson, I’ve learned to see architecture not just as buildings, but as a way of thinking an evolving process that combines technical precision, experimentation, and creativity.
Tell me a little about you outside of school.
Outside of school, three passions keep me grounded: music, photography, and design competitions. Both music and photography began when I attended an academic arts school growing up, where I explored everything from classical drawing to theater to music production. Music was my first outlet, and I continue mixing tracks whenever I can, it’s something I do for the release it provides. Photography became another way of learning to see. I’m especially drawn to surf and underwater film photography, where capturing a fleeting moment requires patience, timing, and adapting to conditions you can’t fully control. Participating in design competitions serves a similar purpose, giving me a space to practice my skills, experiment, and continue growing as a designer.