Ten years ago, what began as an inspired idea to support aspiring architects in Pennsylvania has blossomed into a powerful testament to the enduring impact of mentorship and community. The Paula Maynes Grant celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, marking a decade of fostering architectural talent and carrying forward the legacy of a dedicated leader.
A Vision Takes Root
The journey began with a clear recognition of need. The AIA Pennsylvania Emerging Professionals Committee had identified a critical challenge facing Associates throughout the Commonwealth who were taking the Architect Registration Examinations (AREs). Due to the economic impacts on the architectural, design and construction fields, many emerging professionals were still underemployed and struggling to pay off school loans. The AIA Pennsylvania Emerging Professionals Committee believed it was essential for the future success of the profession to retain as many emerging professionals as possible and aimed to facilitate their path to licensure. An important component of this commitment to emerging professionals was the initiative to provide more financial assistance to pay for the AREs.
From this identified need came a simple yet profound concept: to bring the successful Jason Pettigrew Memorial ARE Scholarship model from AIA National to AIA Pennsylvania. What seemed straightforward on paper proved to require patience and persistence in practice, taking nearly a year to navigate the complexities of establishing this vital support system for emerging architects. Throughout this formative period, Paula Maynes served as a dedicated member of the AIA Pennsylvania board, lending her expertise and passion to bring this vision to life.
An Unexpected Legacy
Tragedy struck during the program’s development when Paula Maynes unexpectedly passed away. In that moment of shocking loss, the Board decided quickly that the program would bear Paula’s name, transforming what had been a professional initiative into a living memorial to her spirit of mentorship and dedication to the profession. Paula Maynes was more than a board member or colleague—she was a mentor whose influence extended far beyond formal relationships, and her impact continues posthumously.
A Decade of Impact
Over the past ten years, the Paula Maynes Grant has supported 39 aspiring architects, each recipient becoming part of a growing legacy that Paula herself facilitated. These emerging professionals carry forward not just financial support for their education and development, but the values of mentorship, dedication, and community service that Paula embodied.
Through this grant, Paula’s mentorship continues, reaching new generations of architects who never had the opportunity to meet her personally, yet benefit from her lasting influence. Each grant awarded represents Paula’s ongoing commitment to nurturing talent and fostering excellence in architecture.
Paula Maynes Winners: Where Are They Now?
The winners of the Paula Maynes grant have become great architects, mentors, and leaders in their own right. In an upcoming StoryLines episode, we will be highlighting some of those recipients and how they are contributing to the architectural community and the new generation of architects in the spirit of Paula Maynes.
Looking Forward
As we celebrate this 10th anniversary, the Paula Maynes Grant stands as a powerful reminder that mentorship transcends individual lifetimes. It demonstrates how an organization can transform loss into lasting purpose, ensuring that the values and passion of one dedicated professional continue to shape the future of their field.
The next decade holds the promise of supporting even more aspiring architects, each one becoming part of Paula’s extended legacy—a testament to the truth that the greatest mentors are those whose influence continues to grow long after they’re gone.
The 2025 Paula Maynes Grant Application is open until August 29th!