and camaraderie for two-year architecture programs. These affiliations affirm SLCC’s commitment to maintaining both local relevance and national competitiveness, ensuring students are prepared not only to transfer but to thrive in the field. The department’s ties to the University of Utah have also been significantly reinforced. Chandler regularly participates in design juries at the U, collaborating with faculty such as Jeff Davis, Erin Carraher, Timothy Adekunle and Patrick Tripeny. In return, SLCC hosts U of U faculty — including Michael Abrahamson, Valerie Greer and Emeritus Professor Bill Miller — for its own student reviews. These reciprocal exchanges are fostering a culture of continuity and rigor that benefits both institutions and deepens SLCC’s credibility as a serious entry point into architectural education. Looking Ahead Perhaps most exciting is the momentum SLCC is building toward broader recognition within the professional landscape. Recent dialogues between ACSA and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) have explored the inclusion of community colleges in pathways to licensure. These conversations, once unlikely, reflect a growing acknowledgment that two-year institutions have a role to play in the diversification and democratization of the profession. At SLCC, that potential is being realized with intention and care. The department’s leadership is not simply reacting to trends — they are helping to shape them. Bodily and Chandler’s shared background as SLCC graduates, licensed architects and committed educators gives them a unique and empathetic perspective on the challenges their students face. It also gives them the insight to design solutions that are both aspirational and grounded. Their vision for the department includes a future where technical excellence and design thinking go hand in hand, where community college students are seen as full participants in the architectural dialogue, and where the value of accessible, high-quality education is not just defended — but celebrated. The transformation of SLCC’s Architecture Department under Shelley Bodily and Monica Chandler offers a compelling model for other two-year programs. Through clear-eyed leadership, strategic collaboration and a deep commitment to student empowerment, they are not only renewing the department’s direction — they are redefining what’s possible. To view the revamped SLCC Architecture Department website, scan the QR code. https://www.slcc.edu/arch/index.aspx 27
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