Hi! My name is Kara Barnes and I made this portfolio to show different sides of my life that are important to me and make me who I am. This is just a small part of my bigger academic and social life, but should give a glance into my ongoing interest in architecture.
I grew up in Fairfax, Virginia, and graduated from Chantilly High School in June 2021. While at Chantilly, I was a two-time officer in the Technology Student Association, and was also a club member in Relay for Life and Cards for Care. Outside of school, I was a member of the CYA soccer team for 12 years, and am still an active member in my community and local church.
In August of 2021, I moved to Ohio to study at Kent State University. I am majoring in the Bachelors of Science in Architecture with a minor in Construction Management, and will begin my path to becoming a licensed Architect. I'm also a member of the Kent State Honors College, as well as a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. At Kent, I'm also a member of multiple different organizations; The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), Alpha Rho Chi, and The Kent State Construction Management Student Organization.
I am currently on the board of AIAS as the Undergraduate Representative, where I represent undergraduate students to the AIAS Board. As a representative, I helped create the Locker-Stocker Committee, which I also Co-Head with the Graduate and Upperclassman Representatives. Together, we work to bring architectural materials to freshman and students in need through the use of a completely free "Locker." We are currently in the design process, and aim to move to the construction phase mid-spring of 2023.
Outside of AIAS, I am also a Student Ambassador to the College of Architecture and Environmental Design. In this role, I help incoming students with any questions they may have about their programs, the building, or Kent State in general. In addition to being a Student Ambassador, I am also a Student Success Leader for incoming freshman in the CAED. This past Fall, I worked with about 30 students with majors ranging from Architecture, to Interior Design, to Construction Management.
Outside of classes and studio, I play an active part in my home church's council. I'm on my second elected term as a Council Member at St. Marks Lutheran Church (Springfield, VA), where I also serve as the Youth Liaison. I joined the church council during quarantine, as I was intrigued in the behind-the-scenes of my church and I wanted to make sure that the voices of the younger generation were being heard. I became the Youth Representative from December 2020 to November 2021, before I filled in a voting spot of one of the retiring members. My goal while as Youth Representative was to be the voice of the youth at council meetings, and also report back to the youth on decisions that would impact them. I am also appointed Board Member of the St Michael's Endowment Fund which provides financial support to St Mark's youth ministry and missions.
I also spend much of my time volunteering.
I also spend much of my time volunteering.
