Grounded Under Pressure: How Abriana Wilson Leads, Learns, and Thrives in Architecture School

Interviewee: Abriana Wilson

Interviewer: Arpit Malhotra

Purpose: To understand Abriana’s leadership journey, how she manages NOMA/NSBE/APU alongside the M.Arch workload, and what skills she developed through scholarships, class choices, and side jobs, offering insights for students navigating similar paths.

About the Guest

Abriana Wilson is an emerging architect whose academic excellence, leadership, and grounded presence have already set her apart in the design community. Currently pursuing her M.Arch at the University of Michigan, Abriana graduated with Honors and Distinction from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, earning multiple prestigious recognitions such as the BVHARCH–Ochsner Scholarship, NSBE Apex Scholar, and the Husker Power and Emerging Leaders Scholarships.

Her experiences span architectural mentorship, community engagement, and customer-facing service roles that strengthened her communication and teamwork skills. As a leader in organizations such as NSBE, NOMA, and the Afrikan Peoples Union, she has consistently advocated for representation and collaboration within the discipline. Beyond her accomplishments, Abriana is known for her calm, centered approach to studio culture—bringing balance, clarity, and empathy into an environment that often overwhelms young designers. Her story, shaped by resilience, scholarship, and service, offers an inspiring example of how to navigate architecture with both ambition and grounded self-awareness.