Scholars in the News
Reshma Tharani, 21, is part of a new breed of community college student
Scholar Spotlight
A prolific writer of poetry and song, Nate is a dynamic speaker and isn't shy about performing in front of an audience.
Chat Travieso
"Imagine a world that is socially and environmentally sustainable, a world where everyone has the right to housing."
- Alumni of: 2007 Graduate Scholarship Program
- Resides: Brooklyn, NY
- Hometown: Miami, FL
- Age: 27
- Four-year College or University: Maryland Institute College of Art
- Graduate School: Yale University
- Academic/Career Pursuits: Architecture, Design, Education / Academia, Landscape Architecture, Nonprofits, Urban Design / City Planner
- Other Interests: Film / Photography, Philosophy, Public Policy, Social Science / Anthropology, Visual Arts, Volunteer Work
Biography
Chat Travieso grew up surrounded by creativity and originality. His architect father and his artist mother influenced his interests and fostered his talents. When Chat was six years old, his father received a post in a Venezuelan project. Chat's mother came from Venezuela, and the entire family relocated to the grandmother's house about 100 miles from Caracas. What was expected to be a three- to five-year stay ended suddenly in an atmosphere of burning cars and flying stones; social and political unrest exploded as the government was overthrown. "I was too young to comprehend the severity of the situation; the experience was my first exposure to global socio-political matters." This moment was pivotal for Chat. His interest in social justice has developed and evolved ever since.
"I want to help devise and provide sustainable, affordable, and environmentally sound architecture and planning for developing countries. I have a certain personal attraction to doing work in Latin America and the Caribbean." For Chat, art school involved clubs and community groups that address social issues. Chat organized events and designed posters for The Madeira Project, a group of MICA students who collaborated with the community to transform vacant lots into productive gardens and recreation spaces. He was also involved in a campus recycling club and a studio project serving an East Baltimore community.
His employment during school included jobs as an artist's assistant, research intern, and architectural drafting intern. He also funded his undergraduate education through several scholarships and awards. Chat relies on this scholarship to attain his idealistic vision. "Many architects are taking creative action to address urgent global needs. Design goes from what I had previously thought of as something purely formal and exclusive to something that can literally save lives. I am especially reassured and moved by this prospect."
Other Scholars Like Chat
Katherine Linder
Graduate Scholar
University of Cambridge
Haydee Cuza
Graduate Scholar
University of California, Los Angeles
Caitlin Polley
Graduate Scholar
University of Pennsylvania
Christine Lucas
Undergraduate Transfer Scholar
St. John Fisher College