curriculum vitae


EDUCATION
2011 - 14	Master of Architecture (MArch) College of Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning (DAAP), University of Cincinnati \| Cincinnati, OH Thesis: Project (dis)content - Community Living for the Pursuit of Happiness Advisor: John E. Hancock, Professor Emeritus Co-advisor: Michael McInturf
2007 - 11	Bachelor of Arts in Architecture (BA) College of Design (CoD), University of Kentucky \| Lexington, OH Study Abroad: Summer 2010, Lorenzo de' Medici School \| Rome, IT
TEACHING APPOINTMENTS
2021 -	Assistant Professor of Architecture College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Kent State University \| Kent, OH
2018 - 19	Visiting Instructor + Co-Teaching Fellow Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture at Taliesin \| Spring Green, WI (Fall) and Scottsdale, AZ (Spring)
DESIGN PRACTICE
2024 -	Kin Lore Studio, Owner, Designer, + Spatial Narrative Consultant \| Akron, OH
2019 - 24	MISC Partners, Owner + Designer \| Akron, OH
2019 - 24	Cocoa Bijou, Owner + Artist \| Akron, OH
2019 - 21	RED Architecture + Planning, Project Manager \| Columbus, OH
2016 - 18	Studio TECHNE\|Architects, Project Manager \| Cleveland, OH
2014 - 16	RED Architecture + Planning, Project Manager \| Columbus, OH
	Commissions
2025 -	Studio Techne Architects, “Yellow Brick Road District” Mindful Renovation, Akron, OH (Spatial Narrative Consultant) Collaboration with Akron Honey, Studio TECHNE Architects, + North Hill Community Development Corporation
2025	First Serve, “First Serve Day of Service” Art/Spatial Experience Activity, North Hill, OH, $1500 (Art Director)
2025	HR Dept. Studio, African Methodist Episcopal Mindful Renovation, Salem, OH, $1,800, (Spatial Narrative Consultant)
2025	BridgeWorks Project, “Ichi Confetti” Banner, Kent Public Art Board, Kent, OH (Sponsored Artist)
2024	Kent Total Solar Eclipse Project, “An Ichi Shadowscape” Mural, Kent Public Art Board, Kent, OH (Designer)
2022	Prints and Pints, Columbus Brewing Company, Columbus, “All Great Things Take Time and a Lot of Beer” Poster Design, OH, May-August (Designer)
2021	The Brass Hand, “Hand of Vitality” Mural, Columbus OH, July, $825 (Artist)
2021	The Brass Hand, “Hand of Vitality” Branding Package + Storefront Design, Columbus OH, April, $4,500 (Lead Designer)
2020	Columbus Fashion Alliance + Emergent Art Gallery, Kolum” Mixed Media Sculpture, Columbus, OH, May 1-31, $1,000, Collaborator: Dre McLeod (Artist)
	Published Design Projects
2021	“Excellence Award,” by The DESIGNArlington Awards Program, Studio TECHNE Architects, Ballston Quarter Pedestrian Walkway, Arlington, VA (Intern Architect)
2021	“Innovative Design In Engineering And Architecture With Structural Steel (IDEAS) Merit Award,” Arlington Cultural Arts Division, Studio TECHNE Architects, Ballston Quarter Pedestrian Walkway, Arlington, VA (Intern Architect)
2020	“CFSEI Design Excellence Award,” CFSEI Cold-formed Steel Engineers institute, Studio TECHNE Architects, Ballston Quarter Pedestrian Walkway, Arlington, VA (Intern Architect)
AWARDS + FELLOWSHIPS
2025	“Best of Conference–Scholarship of Design Practice,” User Agency in Action: Crafting Inclusive Well-Being Spaces Across Campus with Associate Professor Tina Patel, Interior Design Educators Council Conference, Chicago, IL (Co-Awardee)
2022 - 24	Faculty Traveling Fellowship, Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design, New Orleans, LA ($7,500) Thirty day observation of Cultural Inequities Through Multi-Contextual Parting in the French Quarter
2007 - 11	William C. Parker Scholarship Recipient, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY ($94,000) Merit award to cover expenses of undergraduate academic experience
2010	William C. Parker Summer Scholarship Recipient, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY ($11,500) Merit award to cover expenses of study abroad in Rome, Italy
ART PRACTICE
	Solo Exhibitions
2025 - 26	Installation pieces for “Making Time for Mindstops,” Cross Disciplinary Integration Grant, Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Kent, OH (Exhibitor) Collaboration with Associate Professor John Updegraff and CAED Faculty Assistants, Keelan Lyon, Nick Timbrook, and Georgia Coulter
2022	“Parted: A Collection of Strands,” Emergent Art and Craft Gallery, Columbus, OH, May 1-31. (Exhibitor)
	Solo Exhibition Proposals Currently Under Review
	Installation pieces for “Feast of the Etches,” Blank_Lab Call For Proposals, Kent State University Design Innovation Hub, Kent, OH (Exhibitor)
	Group Exhibitions
2024	“Intertwining Threads,” Spatial Tapestry, Machines…and Ideas to postpone the End of the World Exhibition Gallery College of Design, Iowa State University Department of Architecture, Ames, IA (Invited Exhibitor) Other contributors included: Dan Roche, Andrew Santa Lucia, Lane Rick, Jerome Haferd, Laura Gadson, Nora Akawi, Eduardo Rega Calvo, Daniel Ruiz, Rami Nakhleh, Christopher Rey Perez, Rose Florian, Luis Othoniel Rosa, Holly Craig, Ophelia S. Chan, Hilary Weise, Coco Allred, Cruz Garcia, Nathalie Frankowski, Ema Yuizarix, Traumnovelle, Ritwik Banerji, Evan Hume, Johnny DiBlasi, Bello Hello, Carlos Castellanos, and Peter Zuroweste
2024	”Building Black Joy in a SIMulated Realm” book chapter, Printed Matter Exhibition Armstrong Gallery, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Kent State University, Kent, OH (Exhibitor) The Printed Matter exhibition features the largest collection of CAED faculty-authored publications in one space, representing every discipline and highlighting the depth of our faculty’s writing, research, and creativity. ”Building Black Joy in a SIMulated Realm” is a novelty within the collection, being the only written work that directly broaches the topic of race and space.
2023	“Traces” Hand-painted Mural, 934 Fest Outdoor Gallery’s Music, Murals, and Fun event, Columbus, OH, August 2023 (Invited Exhibitor)
2023	“Kolum” Mixed Media Sculpture, House Blend: A Mélange of Work by CAED Faculty Armstrong Gallery, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Kent State University, Kent, OH (Exhibitor)
2022	“Kolum” Mixed Media Sculpture, Columbus Fashion Alliance Emergent Art Gallery, Columbus, OH, May 1-31, (Commissioned Exhibitor) Collaboration: Dre McLeod
2021	“Traversed Land” Painted Canvas, Be The Light Campaign Mental Health Art Gallery, 400 West Rich Studios, Columbus, OH, August (Invited Exhibitor)
GRANTS + FUNDED RESEARCH
	Accepted
2025 - 26	Thomas Schroth Memorial Lecture/Workshop Grant, “Adam Nathaniel Furman Multidisciplinary Lecture + Workshop,” Colleges of Architecture and Environmental Design and School of Fashion Design and Merchandising, Kent, OH, $46,700, (Primary Host and Organizer). Collaboration with Associate Professor Sue Hershberger Yoder.
2024 - 25	Thomas Schroth Memorial Lecture/Workshop Grant, “Torkwase Dyson Multidisciplinary Lecture + Workshop,” Colleges of Architecture and Environmental Design and the Arts, Kent, OH, $46,385 (Primary Host and Organizer) Collaboration with Assistant Professor Mark Schatz - T. Dyson’s participation not accepted
2024 - 26	Bettering Communities Challenge Grant Competition, “Democratizing Design: Creating a Third Place With/For North Hill’s Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Community,” Kent State University, Akron, OH, $100,000, (Co-Investigator and Lead Designer) . Collaboration with Assistant Professor Astrid Sambolín Morales from the Cultural Foundations of Education program, Assistant Professor Francisco Torres from School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies, Associate Professor Tina Patel from Interior Design, and Assistant Professor Amy Walker from the School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies. Community Partners include: Joy E. Fenton-Jones from First Serve/First Congregational Church of Hudson, Sue Wimer from First Serve/First Congregational Church of Hudson, and Justin Chenault from North Hill Community Development Corporation.
2024 - 25	Cross Disciplinary Integration Grant, “Making Time for Mindstops,” Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Kent, OH, $5,000 (Principal Investigator) . Collaboration with Associate Professor John Updegraff.
2022	Fashion is Art Gallery Hop Grant, “Kolum,” Columbus Fashion Alliance, Columbus, OH, $1,000 (Lead Designer) Collaboration with Artist Dre McLeod
	Not Accepted
2024	2025 Vinyl Traffic Signal Wraps Grant, “Threading Echoes of Heritage,” City of Lakewood Public Art Program, Lakewood, OH, $2,500, (Lead Designer)
2024	ASID Foundation Research Grant Program: Adaptive Environments Designed for Change and Resiliency, “Common Threads: Intertwining Cultures Within Third Place,” Akron, OH, $70,000 (Principal Investigator) Collaboration with Assistant Professor Astrid Sambolín Morales, Assistant ProfessorFrancisco Torres, Associate Professor Tina Patel, and Assistant Professor Amy Walker
2024	Stones Levee Bridge Design Commission, “Lines of Legacy,” Land Studio Cleveland, OH, $150,000 (Lead Designer)
2024	Lindsay Jones Memorial Research Grant, Architecture, Culture, and Spirituality Forum, “Making Time for Mindstops,” Kent, OH, $5,000 (Principal Investigator)
2024	“Collaborative Kit-of-Parts,” 2024 Spectacular Vernacular Asphalt Art, City of Lakewood Public Art Program, Lakewood, OH (Lead Designer)
2023	$7,560, “Vessels of Empowerment,” Zora’s House 2.0 Mural Commission, Zora’s House Coworking and Community Space, Columbus, OH (Lead Artist and Designer)
PUBLICATIONS
	Book Chapters
2024	Kristen Mimms Scavnicky, “5.2 Building Black Joy in a SIMulated Realm,” Architecture and Videogames: Intersecting Worlds, Routledge, December. Pg. 241-248. ISBN 9781032528854 (Author) Edited by Vincent Hui, Ryan Scavnicky, and Tatiana Estrina
	Journal–Blind Peer-Reviewed Manuscript
2025	Kristen Mimms Scavnicky, “Histo-scape of Black Buoyancy" Poem and Drawing, UCLA POOL Issue 10 Flotsam. Pg. 20-21. (Author)
2025	Kristen Mimms Scavnicky, “Reshaping Perception: An Evolution of Red in a Black Designer’s Cultural Understanding,” Dichotomy Journal Issue 28: Red via University of Detroit Mercy’s School of Architecture and Community Development. Pg. 72-81. (Author)
	Currently In Peer-Review
2025	Kristen Mimms Scavnicky, “Ornament Ain’t a Crime,” Future Anterior: Journal of Historic Preservation History, Theory, and Criticism Issue 2026 Recovery. (Author)
	Non-Peer-Reviewed Article
2023	Kristen Mimms Scavnicky and Ryan Scavnicky, “Biennale, Baby!,” The Architect’s Newspaper, September 26. https://www.archpaper.com/2023/09/exploring-venice-infant-stroller-viewing-exhibitions-differently/ (Author)

	Thesis
2014	Kristen Mimms, “Project (dis)content - Community Living for the Pursuit of Happiness,” University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, April 14. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1397235661. (Author)
CONFERENCES
	Double Blind Peer-Reviewed Presentations With Abstract In Proceedings \| External
2025	“Sutured Artifact: Stitching Mind, Body, and Space”, 2025 Popular Culture Association (PCA) National Conference, New Orleans, LA April 17. (Co-Presenter) This project explores how the intersection of art, architecture, and ritual shapes contemporary Black cultural experiences, drawing inspiration from Dr. Samella Lewis's life and philosophy.
2025	“User Agency in Action: Crafting Inclusive Well-Being Spaces Across Campus”, Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) Annual Conference, Chicago, IL March 17. (Co-Presenter) In collaboration with Tina Patel. This study focuses on generating design guidelines by involving the voices of college students that support their well-being and make campuses more inclusive for all learners.
2024	“Socially Engaged Processes to Recontextualize Human-Centered Design”, EDRA 55: Human-Centric Design National Conference, Portland, OR, June 20. (Co-Presenter) In collaboration with Tina Patel, Jennifer Meakins, William Mangold, and Kimberly Montes. Socially engaged pedagogical processes and tools have increased awareness of complex social, cultural, and political realities, and/or advocated for empowering marginalized and underserved communities in interior environments.
	Poster Presentation
2024	“Parting: Spatial Analysis of French Quarter Urban Fabric”, Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, September 27. (Presenter)
	Panels and Symposia - Kent State University \| Kent, OH
2024	Elisa Dainese’s “Destruction after Design: On Relocating, Rebuilding and Repairing” Lecture( Discussant) Discussants included: Taraneh Meshkani, Steve Rugare, and Kristen Mimms Scavnicky
2024	Yasmin Vobis’ “Cheapskates, Again” Lecture (Discussant) Discussants included: Iván Bernal, Kristen Mimms Scavnicky, and Nick Safley
2023	Jerome Haferd “At Water’s Edge” Lecture (Moderator) Discussants included: Jerome Haferd, Clifford B. Herring, and Kristen Mimms Scavnicky
2022	“Women In Construction Week: Diversity Equity + Inclusivity Panel” hosted by Construction Management Students (Panelist)
2021	“Voices Panel Discussion” hosted by National Organization of Minority Architect Students (Panelist)
	Invited Design Lecture
2025	“Architecture + Media” Lecture, Kent State University, Interior Design, Kent, OH, Fall Semester (Lecturer)
2025	“Designing with Identity and Culture in Mind” Lecture, Kean University, Michael Graves College, Union, NJ, Spring Semester (Lecturer)
	Media Coverage
2025	“Akron Honey Launching Yellow Brick Road District, an alley of dining experiences and more,” Akron Beacon Journal, October 13, https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/entertainment/dining/2025/10/13/akron-honey-launches-yellow-brick -road-district-alley-food-experiences/86565533007/.
2025	“Architecture and Video Games posits virtual worlds as spaces of architectural thought,” Stir World, August 7, https://www.stirworld.com/think-books-and-movies-architecture-and-video-games-posits-virtual-worlds-as-spaces-of-architectural-thought.
2025	“BridgeWorks project brings more public art to downtown Kent,” The Portager, July 21, https://theportager.com/bridgeworks-project-brings-more-public-art-to-downtown-kent/.
2025	“Interior Design Educators Council 2025 Annual Conference,” Multi Briefs, April 14, https://www.multibriefs.com/briefs/idec/idec041425.php.
2024	“Bettering Communities One Initiative at a Time,” Kent State Today, April 16 https://www.kent.edu/today/news/bettering-communities-one-initiative-time.
TEACHING
	Kent State University \| Kent, OH
2025	Sensual Storytelling Schroth Workshop
2025	Theory and Criticism in Architectural Media (Archs 40114)
2024 - 25	Third Year Undergraduate Studio (ARCH 30101)
2023 - 24	Second Year Undergraduate Studio (ARCH 20102)
2023 - 25	Visualizing the Mindscape Seminar (ARCH 46995/56995)
2022, 2025 - 26	First Year Undergraduate Studio (ARCH 10102)
2022	Meditation + Meaningful Matter Seminar (ARCH 46995/56995)
2021	First Year Undergraduate Studio (ARCH 10101)
2021 - 2025	Architectural Discourses Writing-intensive Course (ARCH 30031)
	Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture at Taliesin \| Scottsdale, AZ
2019	Matters of Representation Seminar (ARCH 792-1), 9 students
	Workshops Taught \| External
2025	“Memorializing Black Domesticity” Workshop, Black in Design Conference, Harvard Graduate School of Design, Cambridge, MA
2025	“First Serve Day of Service Spatial Art Stop” Workshop, First Congregational Church of Hudson, North Hill, OH
2025	“Identity Artifacts” Workshop, Kean University, Michael Graves College, Union, NJ
	Undergraduate Honors College Thesis Advising - Kent State University \| Kent, OH
2025 - 26	Nora Ladd, BArch \| Re-Enchanting Space: A Phenomenological Approach to Worldbuilding through Architecture and Animation, $1,000, Sanford E. and Eleonora D. Marovitz Scholarship Recipient
	Graduate Thesis Advising - Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture at Taliesin \| Scottsdale, AZ
2019	Xinxuan Liu, MArch \| Design and construction feedback for Thesis Shelter “Ava”
	Invited Design Critic \| External
2025	School of Architecture, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Thesis Reviews, Spring Semester Invited by Christianna Bennett, Assistant Professor
2024	School of Architecture, Marywood University, Second Year Studio, Summer Session Invited by Ryan Scavnicky, Professor of Practice
2023	School of Architecture, University of Miami, Thesis Reviews, Spring Semester Invited by Joachim Perez, Lecturer
2022	Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Michigan, Graduate Research Studio, Spring Semester Invited by Leah Wulfman, 2021-2023 Visiting Teaching Fellow
2020	Knowlton School of Architecture, Ohio State University Second Year Studio, Fall Semester Invited by Ryan Scavnicky, Adjunct Professor
2019	Frank Lloyd Wright’s School of Architecture at Taliesin, Graduate Capstone Studio, Spring Semester Invited by Ryan Scavnicky, Visiting Teaching Fellow
2018	Frank Lloyd Wright’s School of Architecture at Taliesin, Graduate Research Studio, Fall Semester Invited by Ryan Scavnicky, Adjunct Professor
	College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Kent State University, First Year Studio, Fall Semester Invited by Ryan Scavnicky, Adjunct Professor
SERVICE + MEMBERSHIPS
	Academic Service - Kent State University \| Kent, OH
2025 - 26	Student Academic Complaint Committee (Committee Member)
2025	“Biennial Architecture + Film Symposium,” Kent State CAED and the Cleveland Cinematheque, Cleveland, OH (Blind Peer Reviewer)
2025	“Biennial Architecture + Film Symposium,” Kent State CAED and the Cleveland Cinematheque, Cleveland, OH (Editorial Board Member)
2025	Black History Month Cultural Workshop, NOMAS Event (Invited Presenter)
2024	“NOMAS Portfolio Workshop”, NOMAS Event (Invited Presenter)
2024	“NOMASGiving Dinner”, Community Event (Co-Host)
2024 -	Architectural Studies Program Committee (Committee Member)
2023	Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (S.U.R.E.), Summer (Advisor) Student: Rei Hasegawa
2023 -	Architecture Program Director Search Committee (Committee Member)
2022, 2024	Schidlowski Emerging Faculty Fellowship Search Committee (Committee Member)
2022 -	Lecture and Exhibitions Committee (Committee Member)
2022 -	Architecture Program Committee (Committee Member)
2021 -	National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (Faculty Advisor)
	Academic Service \| External
2025	“Designing Communities for Climate Action and Resilience,” Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA), Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (Blind Peer Reviewer)
2025	“2025 Intersections Research Conference: AI Design Practices,” Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), Boston, Massachusetts (Blind Peer Reviewer)
	Community Service - Kent State University \| Kent, OH
2025	Graduate Student Research Symposium (Lead Judge) Category 8–Theatre and Dance, Music, Art, Fashion Design and Merchandising, or Art, Spring Semester
2025	Robin McManus Scholarship Benefit (Raffle Organizer) Child Development Center, Spring Semester
	Community Service \| External
2025	WTF is Happening: Community Gathering Events, Pisces Moon Healing, Trust Drum Circles, and Standing Rock Cultural Arts Center, Kent, OH (Art Director)
2025	First Serve Day of Service, First Congregational Church of Hudson, North Hill, OH (Art Director)
2021	“Fashion Talk Tuesday Interview with Ardor Keen Boutique,” Hosful Collective, Columbus, OH (Interviewee)
2017	“Chapel of the Mosquitoes by Jose Ouiberree” Exhibition, Southern California Institute of Architecture, Los Angeles, CA (Aide)
2016	“Neighborhood Revitalization, Columbus,” Habitat for Humanity, Columbus, OH (Gutter Cleaner)
2012	“Project Aspire College Workshop: College and Career Options,” Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY (Panelist)
2010	“Women’s Build,” Habitat for Humanity, Lexington, KY (Wall Builder)
	Memberships
2025 -	Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture (ANFA) An organization committed to promoting and advancing knowledge that links neuroscience research to a growing understanding of human responses to the built environment.
2024 -	National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) An organization committed to minimizing the effect of racism in the architectural profession.

EDUCATION

Master of Architecture (MArch)

Bachelor of Arts in Architecture (BA)

TEACHING APPOINTMENTS

Assistant Professor of Architecture

Visiting Instructor + Co-Teaching Fellow

DESIGN PRACTICE

Kin Lore Studio, Owner, Designer, + Spatial Narrative Consultant | Akron, OH

MISC Partners, Owner + Designer | Akron, OH

Cocoa Bijou, Owner + Artist | Akron, OH

RED Architecture + Planning, Project Manager | Columbus, OH

Studio TECHNE|Architects, Project Manager | Cleveland, OH

RED Architecture + Planning, Project Manager | Columbus, OH

Commissions

Published Design Projects

AWARDS + FELLOWSHIPS

ART PRACTICE

Solo Exhibitions

Solo Exhibition Proposals Currently Under Review

Group Exhibitions

GRANTS + FUNDED RESEARCH

Accepted

Not Accepted

PUBLICATIONS

Book Chapters

Journal–Blind Peer-Reviewed Manuscript

Currently In Peer-Review

Non-Peer-Reviewed Article

Thesis

CONFERENCES

Double Blind Peer-Reviewed Presentations With Abstract In Proceedings | External

Poster Presentation

Panels and Symposia - Kent State University | Kent, OH

Invited Design Lecture

Media Coverage

TEACHING

Kent State University | Kent, OH

Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture at Taliesin | Scottsdale, AZ

Workshops Taught | External

Undergraduate Honors College Thesis Advising - Kent State University | Kent, OH

Graduate Thesis Advising - Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture at Taliesin | Scottsdale, AZ

Xinxuan Liu, MArch | Design and construction feedback for Thesis Shelter “Ava”

Invited Design Critic | External

SERVICE + MEMBERSHIPS

Academic Service - Kent State University | Kent, OH

Academic Service | External

Community Service - Kent State University | Kent, OH

Community Service | External

Memberships