Dasha Shishkina

Hometown: Penza, Russia

BA in Architecture

2025

How did you first get interested in Architecture?

I first became interested in architecture in middle school when I began thinking about what future career I wanted to pursue. I’ve always been drawn to the arts and mathematics, so I decided that architecture would be an ideal combination of those two. While in high school, I took drafting courses where I learned more about architecture, which reinforced my interest in it. That is when I figured out that architecture is functional and serves a purpose, so the design process not only needs creativity but also requires critical thinking. After taking these classes, I was excited to learn more about it in college.

What kind of career do you hope to have?

I would love to continue my education and hope to get a master’s degree to become a licensed architect. I want to learn more about sustainable and universal design principles and hopefully be able to implement that knowledge in my work. I also love creating interactive designs to keep people entertained, and I hope to find a way to employ this in the future.

What is your favorite thing about School of Architecture?

My favorite thing about the School of Architecture is the sense of community and cultural diversity. Students can express their thoughts and share their ideas while working together and helping each other improve, which I think is amazing. As someone who is shy and whose first language is not English, I was worried that presenting my work and sharing ideas would be difficult. However, the encouragement from my classmates and professors helped me gain confidence, and I am thankful for it.

Can you talk about your experience as a scholarship student?

I am very grateful to be a recipient of the Boardman scholarship. It has provided a valuable opportunity to learn more about my subjects of interest, while encouraging me to keep expanding my knowledge.

When you are not in class, studying, or working, what do you like to do for fun?

Outside of class, I still prefer to engage in creative activities like painting, drawing, playing piano, or playing the guitar. However, I also like spending time with my family outdoors, such as when we go hiking or fishing together. Hiking is best during the fall season because of the vivid and colorful scenery.