![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/88\/2021\/05\/kile_full1.jpg?resize=1249%2C283&ssl=1\")
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We are sharing the stories of several of University of Detroit Mercy\u2019s newest alumni to mark the graduation of the Class of 2021.<\/em><\/p>\n Taylor Kile came to University of Detroit Mercy wanting to become an architect. After four years, she completes her undergraduate career knowing exactly how she can impact the world.<\/p>\n Kile, who is graduating this May with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture with a minor in Leadership, discovered her passion for inadequate housing in developing countries while studying at Detroit Mercy.<\/p>\n Initially, Kile thought she wanted to spend her life designing mansions and extravagant homes, but she was quickly won over by the field\u2019s community aspects, as well as its science and mathematics base.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s really what drove me to Architecture,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Like many Detroit Mercy students, Kile volunteered in communities surrounding the McNichols Campus. These service-learning experiences proved to be eye-opening for her. But a weeklong trip to Cuba through the School of Architecture provided Kile firsthand exposure to what would become her passion.<\/p>\n These scenes resonated with Kile, empowering her to want to make a difference with her career.<\/p>\n \u201cThey don\u2019t have the resources and I do, so why wouldn\u2019t I help somebody in need?\u201d Kile said. \u201cI think the best thing you can do for something is spread the word about it if you don\u2019t have the financial means to really make an impact. The second-best way is to just spread your voice and make it be heard. That\u2019s what I\u2019m trying to do.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was my first international experience, so it was really eye-opening and I obviously felt a type of responsibility to then go and spread my knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n These volunteering efforts helped Kile earn a pair of Michigan Architectural Foundation scholarships last year: the Richard Fry AIA Michigan President\u2019s Scholarship and the Professional Concepts Insurance Agency Scholarship. These are awarded to architecture students who demonstrate leadership and are involved in the community.<\/p>\n Kile has stayed busy during her time at Detroit Mercy, taking 18 credit hours per undergraduate semester, while balancing responsibilities as a member of the Detroit Mercy cheerleading team.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a really amazing experience,\u201d Kile said of her time cheering at Detroit Mercy. \u201cI would say at times it was stressful to juggle everything, but I wouldn\u2019t go back and change it if I could. I really made new connections throughout that process. It was an outlet for me when I was stressed out, because you get so involved with architecture, that you have to step away from the computer sometimes. But sometimes you just need to walk away, and having practice and games would allow me to have a break in my schedule.\u201d<\/p>\n Being involved in so many different things was important to Kile when she started at the University. In addition to cheer, her involvement includes internships with Straub Pettitt Yaste Architects and Detroit Mercy\u2019s Facilities Management division, cheer representative for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, co-vice president for the University\u2019s National Organization of Minority Architecture student chapter and residential advisor and orientation leader roles at the University.<\/p>\n \u201cI think college is a time where you should try everything and find your true passion and calling, because right now is the best time to get involved with all different organizations and find what you want to do later in life,\u201d she said. \u201cIt will be a lot harder for me to be involved with that many things later when I have a full-time job, so I really wanted to take advantage of being able to do everything that I possibly could.<\/p>\n \u201cThey also open new opportunities for you elsewhere. That was really my reason for getting involved with so many different things, and I would advise anyone to do that and take advantage of as many opportunities as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Kile\u2019s time at Detroit Mercy isn\u2019t completely over \u2014 she\u2019s in the process of earning master degrees in Architecture and Civil Engineering Management \u2014 but her favorite moments so far involve overcoming obstacles. She remembers starting her undergraduate career on academic probation to eventually become a valedictorian candidate. She also had a graduate assistant position in the Financial Aid Office as a sophomore, a rare feat.<\/p>\n Kile appreciates that she was able to build strong relationships and get to know many students and employees because of Detroit Mercy\u2019s welcoming environment. It also meant a lot to her that School of Architecture\u2019s professors were \u201cmotivating and inspiring\u201d and would go \u201cabove and beyond\u201d to help students.<\/p>\n She points to six employees who positively affected her undergraduate career: School of Architecture Dean\u00a0Dan Pitera<\/a>, School of Architecture Associate Dean and Professor\u00a0Noah Resnick<\/a>, Assistant Athletic Director for NCAA Compliance Steve Corder, Professor of Architecture\u00a0Allegra Pitera<\/a>, School of Architecture and Detroit Collaborative Design Center Business Manager\u00a0Brigette Murphy-Barbee<\/a>\u00a0and Financial Aid Counselor Marisa Tucker.<\/p>\n Kile is excited for her future. She can\u2019t wait to start researching for her thesis, which she says will be on inadequate housing in developing countries. She wants to have an impact with that topic through her architectural expertise.<\/p>\n \u201cI would really like my thesis to be published, that\u2019s my main goal right now within the next two to three years,\u201d Kile said. \u201cMy second goal would be to one day open up my own firm. And then after that, I think I would want to work at an Architecture engineering firm, because they\u2019re bigger. Most of them, you\u2019re allowed to travel because they\u2019re normally international. I would prefer to work at an international firm, just because of my passions with inadequate housing in developing countries.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2014\u202fRicky Lindsay<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We are sharing the stories of several of University of Detroit Mercy\u2019s newest alumni to mark the graduation of the Class of 2021. Taylor Kile came to University of Detroit Mercy wanting to become an architect. 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Dilapidated housing grew more common the further the group got from Cuba\u2019s capital city of Havana. Porches supported by small pieces of wood were caving in, and homes were not constructed to be handicap accessible.<\/p>\n