As a child in Chicago, Jaliyah Shepherd would walk through the city’s park district and notice the way the buildings contrasted with the plants, yet they blended and flowed together.
“I’ve spent my life in the parks, and I never knew that someone was designing those things,” she said. “What excites me about landscape architecture is just the blending of parks with big cities. The Chicago Park District is really big, but it’s also a very urban neighborhood,”
Now a sophomore in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences’ landscape architecture program, Shepherd has received a national scholarship and internship opportunities that will last the rest of her undergraduate career.
Shepherd is an Ignite Program Scholar, awarded by the Landscape Architecture Foundation. The program is a comprehensive initiative for college students that awards them a $10,000 annual scholarship, summer internships and access to mentors throughout their educational path.
“I remember being in Target shopping, and I just jumped up and down when I found out,” said Shepherd. “It’s a significant amount of money to be receiving, particularly for me as an out-of-state student.”
Before applying for college, Shepherd said she had debated what – or where – to study.
“I know I wanted to do something artistic, and I was looking at something like construction or trade school,” said Shepherd, who enrolled in 2023. “My sister was the one who suggested something in architecture. So, when I chose N.C. A&T as my school, I started looking at architecture or construction management as potential majors. Then, I saw that they were offering landscape architecture and that was my first time literally hearing of it. I really needed to see what that was.
One of her favorite opportunities was a week-long collaboration between N.C. A&T’s program and Raleigh-based firm Design Workshop.
“That was really cool because it gave me insight into how an actual design firm is set up,” said Shepherd. “They helped us learn so much about the history and layout of Greensboro for our project. It was very research-based, which let me know how in-depth you need to go before you begin designing. Research might be my strongest suit so far.”
Early into the fall 2024 semester, Shepherd learned about the scholarship and all it offered from one of the program’s instructors, Assistant Professor Chris Harrison.
“I had heard about the program through Chris, who sent the email out,” said Shepherd. “I had learned later it wasn’t just a scholarship, but a foundation that offered internships every summer. I was looking for: a place where I could learn all the different aspects of landscape architecture, because there are so many other ways you could go as a career.”
“The LAF Ignite program is a highly competitive and prestigious initiative designed to support BIPOC students in the field of landscape architecture,” said Harrison. “Jaliyah's selection is not only a reflection of her outstanding talent and dedication but also a wonderful recognition for our program at North Carolina A&T.”
Beyond the $10,000 annual scholarship, Shepherd said, the program “stopped the stress” of finding internships as a sophomore.
“When you’re a sophomore, that’s usually the time you need to ramp up and start making connections,” said Shepherd. “Thanks to this, the doors are starting to open up for me.”
