AIA Detroit is pleased to announce the 2025 AIA Detroit Scholarship recipients, Manuela Hanna and Zaynab Alhisnawi, both hailing from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture + Community Development (SACD).

AIA Detroit awarded two annual scholarships, (1) $1,500 and (1) $3,000, to support and foster a diverse profession that is representative of our greater chapter community.

The AIA Detroit Scholarships were established to recognize deserving architecture students attending a NAAB-accredited institution within our chapter boundary (University of Detroit Mercy and Lawrence Technological University) or whose permanent residence is in the AIA Detroit chapter boundary (Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, and Wayne counties) and are enrolled in a NAAB-accredited institution elsewhere. The goal is to support future BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and/or women architects as we strive to have our profession better reflect the diverse community of our chapter.

Meet the Winners:

Manuela  Hanna is the current Vice President of AIAS, where she has helped build connections with other Michigan chapters to expand opportunities for students. She organizes events like lunch-and-learns and portfolio workshops to support career readiness and professional engagement, while fostering a collaborative environment that reflects Detroit’s diverse architecture community.

Beyond AIAS, Manuela is active in NOMAS, the Chaldean American Student Association, H.O.P.E., and the Red Glasses Movement, where she serves as Club Outreach and Event Coordinator. She also volunteers at her church, teaches students, organizes events, and coaches middle school volleyball through the Chaldean Church Sports League.

Zaynab Alhisnawi is a passionate and driven designer committed to equity, sustainability, and community-centered architecture. As NOMAS President at the School of Architecture and Community Design, she fosters collaboration, builds inclusive spaces, and leads with purpose. At the Detroit Collaborative Design Center, she brings these values into practice, leading a campus sustainability project and contributing meaningfully to community-engaged work. Recognized for both her technical skill and her care for others, Zaynab is a thoughtful leader and emerging change-maker in the field.

Congratulations, Manuela Hanna and Zaynab Alhisnawi! We can’t wait to see you flourish within the profession.