AIA Alaska Membership,

My name is Jobe Bernier, AIA. I am a fourth-generation Alaskan architect with blue-collar roots. My professional focus centers on artistic design solutions grounded in cold-climate building science, and I am also deeply engaged in Alaskan historic preservation.

As president in 2026, my primary focus has been—and will continue to be—addressing the market challenge of recruiting and developing new Alaskan architects. While workforce shortages affect many professions across Alaska, we know that architecture faces a particularly steep challenge due to the absence of an in-state architecture school.

To help build this, I have actively created working sessions at Polaris K-12, where I meet twice per week with high school students to help them develop solutions for the 2026 AIA Frank Maier High School Design Competition with it’s 2025 focus on homelessness. These sessions provide hands-on exposure to the profession.

Building on discussions that began in 2025, I have also been brainstorming with Lance Walters at the University of Hawaii to explore the possibility of establishing an extension pathway for Alaskan architecture students. The concept would allow some coursework to take place in Alaska through collaboration with Hawaii’s NAAB-accredited architecture program, and help to reduce barriers to entry for aspiring Alaskan architects.

In addition, I am interested in developing new funding pathways across the state to support the Young Architects’ Forum and other newly licensed professionals who have made the deliberate choice to build their careers in Alaska.

I have also engaged with Senator Murkowski’s office regarding immigration matters directly affecting an Alaskan intern architect. This individual is legally living and working in the United States and is actively completing their Architectural Experience Program (AXP) hours toward Alaskan licensure, but despite their own professional behavior, they face illogical and unnecessary federal bureaucratic challenges to their citizenship. Senator Murkowski’s office has been responsive and helpful in supporting this future Alaskan architect.

Beyond recruitment of the next generation. I have been directly working with one of our AIA Alaska Committees to review and reinforce AIA ethics related to learning units and our protocol in getting learning units accredited with the AIA.

ECI
Jobe Paul Bernier