AUS alumna Mariam Jacob earns multiple awards at Columbia University: Bridging academia, research and speculative practice

American University of Sharjah (AUS) alumna Mariam Jacob has been appointed Assistant Director of Academic Affairs at Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP). Shortly thereafter, she became one of the youngest studio instructors for the Introduction to Architecture program at Columbia University. 

Jacob’s architectural journey began at AUS, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture in 2020.  She then went on to earn a Master of Architecture from Columbia University in May 2024. During this period, she gained international experience at SBGA | Blengini Ghirardelli Architects in Milan, Robert A.M. Stern Architects in New York, and Hart Howerton in San Francisco. At Hart Howerton, she received the 2022 HH Research and Travel Fellowship for her project "Rethinking Reclamation for a Changing Planet," which examined reclamation projects in the UAE and California. This culminated in a book showcasing innovative strategies in master planning, design, landscaping, and maintenance. Throughout her career, Jacob’s work has been marked by similar notable achievements and contributions to the field.

Reflecting on her time at AUS, Jacob credits the university with providing a strong foundation for her success. 

"My time at AUS offered a solid base in both the conceptual and practical aspects of design. The exposure and rigorous guidance from my critics and faculty in the College of Architecture, Art and Design enabled me to experiment and carve my own path during my time at Columbia University," she said.

Jacob demonstrated strong leadership skills by serving as Student Body Leader for the Sustainable Campus Initiative while she was a student at AUS. Later at Columbia University, she excelled as a teaching assistant for studios and seminars, whilst receiving the Avery Scholarship (2021-2024) and the Merit Scholarship in 2023. Upon her graduation in May 2024, she was also honored with the AIA Medal for Academic Excellence, the Honor Award for Design and Technology and the William Kinne Fellows Traveling Prize.

The William Kinne Prize was awarded for her final studio project, "Once Upon a Mine," a futuristic graphic novel exploring the impact of uranium mining on Navajo Nation communities. By integrating Indigenous perspectives and visualization techniques, the novel aims to spark dialogue, raise awareness, and inspire innovative remediation solutions. After receiving the grant, Mariam is now collaborating with another Navajo community on a revised version for Round Rock, following a significant EPA grant that added the Lukachukai Mountains Mining District to the Superfund List. She believes such speculative narratives are powerful tools for addressing past injustices and reimagining remediation strategies, empowering communities to shape their futures and redefine their realities.

"I believe that the role of an architect can be much more than a designer but also an advocate who has the power to promote environmental equity, shape policies and question the inefficient practices of this day and age," she said.

Looking ahead, Jacob envisions a realm where research, practice, and academia intersect, with a focus on advancing environmental equity and shaping policy through design. Her research and practice focus on such speculative futures—a design approach that uses storytelling to visualize new and potential worlds. This temporal narrative is central to her teaching methodology, which integrates community engagement and diverse visual and modeling techniques. It brings both imagined and historical narratives of sites and communities to life, enriching her own work and the explorations of her students.

"I see architecture through the lens of time, where a complex interplay of people, environments, materials, space and place unfolds. Spaces become places when they resonate with human connection and become vessels for new memories — this is the temporal transformation that I strive to be a part of," she explains.

Jacob’s story is a testament to the profound impact of a robust educational foundation and commitment to innovation and social responsibility. Her journey from AUS to Columbia will undoubtedly inspire many future young architects. To learn more about the AUS College of Architecture, Art and Design visit www.aus.edu/CAAD.