Congratulations to the 2026 AIA Nebraska Honor and Awards recipients to be recognized at the 2026 AIA Nebraska Excellence in Design Gala – Registration Required – Sponsorships Opportunities Available.
Registration deadline: Thursday, October 22, 2026. Price increase on October 23rd.
Deadline for sponsorships is October 26, 2026.
Thursday, November 12, 2026
- 5:30 pm – 6:15 pm – Lecture, Mimi Hoang, FAIA, NOMA, Co-Founding Partner, nARCHITECTS
- 6:15 pm – 7:30 pm – Excellence in Design Awards Reception
- 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm – Excellence in Design Awards + Honors Awards Recognition
Dress: Dressy Casual
Women: Dress; Skirt and dressy top; Dressy pants outfit
Men: Seasonal sport coat or blazer and slacks; Dress shirt, casual button-down shirt, open-collar or polo shirt; Optional tie.
Please no jeans or t-shirts
AIAS Student Undergrad Award
This award recognizes two members of the American Institute of Architects Students (AIAS), one undergraduate and graduate, who have shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to their academic community at the University of Nebraska College of Architecture.
Sarah Cushman, AIAS, is a fourth-year student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Architecture, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Design in Architecture with a minor in Landscape Architecture. Throughout her time at UNL, she has distinguished herself through academic achievement, leadership, mentorship, and service to the College of Architecture community. She has been named to the College’s Dean’s List, received the George Beadle Scholarship for high academic performance, and was a finalist in the 2025 BWBR Project Competition for her multifamily housing project, The Cluster Collective. She also serves as a College of Architecture Ambassador, Peer Mentor, and Treasurer of the Tau Sigma Delta Architectural Honor Society.
Sarah has demonstrated exceptional leadership through the UNL chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students. Beginning as a Second-Year Representative, she went on to serve as Vice President and Treasurer before being elected President for the 2026-27 academic year. During her leadership, Sarah helped significantly increase underclassmen involvement, strengthen fundraising, and expand opportunities for students to attend regional and national conferences. Through these efforts, UNL AIAS helped send 32 students to three AIAS conferences, providing students with opportunities to engage with new design perspectives, professionals, and the broader architectural community. Her commitment to mentorship and creating opportunities for her peers has become a defining part of her leadership.
Beyond AIAS, Sarah continues to contribute to the College of Architecture through peer mentorship, student recruitment, and community-building. As a Peer Mentor, she supports first-year students as they navigate their transition to college and architecture school, while as a College Ambassador she welcomes prospective students and families and shares her experience within the College. Her design work reflects the same care and commitment she brings to her leadership, with an emphasis on sustainability, creativity, and the communities architecture serves. As her nominator, Audrey Cherek, noted, “Sarah Cushman is a highly compassionate and exceedingly driven student, emerging professional, and advocate, and consistently uplifts her peers and their goals.” Her leadership, service, and commitment to her peers have made her a valued member of the College of Architecture community and a deserving recipient of the AIAS Student Award.
AIAS Student Grad Award
Joshua Holstein, Associate AIA, earned his Master of Architecture from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Architecture in May 2026. He previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Design in Interior Design, with a minor in Architectural Studies, graduating with distinction. His education across architecture and interiors has shaped a design perspective grounded in human experience and interdisciplinary thinking. As a Graduate Teaching Assistant, Josh supported courses in architecture, interior design, drawing, and architectural history and theory.
Josh demonstrated leadership through his involvement with the UNL chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students, serving as a graduate representative and later as Mentorship Director. During his tenure, he increased student engagement and developed a mentorship guide that continues to support new and returning mentors. The guide established expectations and provided resources including group-building activities, monthly discussion prompts, and grade-level-specific topics. His commitment to mentorship has strengthened connections between students and professionals and contributed to a more consistent student experience.
Josh gained professional experience through internships with Corgan, Altus Architectural Studios, LEO A DALY, and Slaggie Architects, contributing to healthcare, workplace, hospitality, and large-scale technical projects. His experience as a trumpet player and Big Ten Flags Captain in the Cornhusker Marching Band also informs his interest in performing arts and the relationship between people and place.
Josh is now an Architectural Designer at HDR, where he is beginning his professional career and pursuing architectural licensure. He remains engaged with AIA Nebraska through the Emerging Professionals Committee.
Associate Award
Recognizes an Associate AIA Nebraska, unlicensed member who has shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession in the areas of design, education, and /or service in an early stage of their architectural career. Must be nominated by an AIA Nebraska member.
Corey Thiele’s interest in design began in childhood, when he would build with Legos and Thomas the Tank Engine train tracks. Unlike most kids, he rarely followed instructions, preferring to create his own designs. His curiosity grew into drawing his own Lego plans, and by high school, an introductory design and drafting course confirmed architecture as his future path.
After graduating from University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Architecture, Corey became active in the AIA Nebraska Emerging Professionals Committee, where he helped revive a mentorship program connecting students and professionals. Corey had participated in the program as a student during undergrad. His leadership and dedication led to a co-chair role on the committee beginning in 2023, during which the mentorship program began to grow and is now thriving.
In 2022, Corey joined RDG Planning & Design, drawn to its mission to create meaning together. Throughout his four years at RDG, he has become a stockholder and a trusted contributor across design technology, sustainability, construction detailing, construction administration, mentorship, community involvement, and business development. At RDG, Corey serves on the firm’s Energy Resilience Task Force, where he helps lead the firm’s annual AIA 2030 reporting and pushes emerging energy modeling technology.
“What stands out most about Corey is his natural ability to connect with people. Whether working with students, interns, colleagues, or clients, he brings energy and sincerity that makes others want to engage, learn, and contribute,” said nominator Benjamin Kroll, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB, RDG Senior Partner.
Corey leads a contingent of employees, as well as professionals from Alvine and Kiewit who participate in a Toastmasters group. He is on the RDG Revit Coaches team and serves as an intern guide to summer interns. Corey supports the firm’s involvement in Habitat for Humanity, Open Omaha, and the ACE Mentor Program. Corey was also selected as one of 12 RDGers to participate in the firm’s Career Development Program in 2025, a program designed to give staff the opportunity to gain deeper insight into strengths-based leadership and learn more about RDG’s business and role in the industry.
Young Architect Award
Recognizes an AIA Nebraska member, licensed less than 10 years who has shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession in the areas of design, education, and or service in an early stage of their architectural career.
Ryan Hier, AIA, is motivated by a passion for serving people through architecture and a belief that every project can elevate a community, regardless of scale, budget, or location. Beginning his career at BVH Architecture, he developed a strong foundation in communicating design through sketching, drawing, and model-making. His experiences across Nebraska sparked an interest in using ordinary materials to create thoughtful, meaningful design solutions, particularly for communities that have traditionally accepted “good enough.” This approach led him to explore how constraints can become opportunities and ultimately brought him back to his hometown of Crete, where he contributed to the design of a new public library and community center.
In 2019, Ryan joined TACKarchitects, where he expanded his involvement across all phases of projects, working with clients and teams to establish vision, develop creative solutions, and oversee construction. His work with nonprofit organizations further demonstrated the tangible impact architecture can have on communities. Projects including the renovation of Crete’s 100-year-old movie theater and an addition to The Salvation Army’s North Omaha facility strengthened his commitment to using architecture as a tool for service and positive change. His commitment to education is also reflected in his teaching at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he shares his experience and perspective with emerging architects.
Today, Ryan leads design and architectural staff at JEO Consulting Group, a multidisciplinary firm serving rural and mid-sized communities throughout the Midwest. He has expanded his impact across Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and South Dakota while continuing to serve his hometown of Crete through numerous design projects. In addition to leading recruitment efforts, Ryan established Thoughtful Thursdays, a studio forum that encourages learning, discussion, and curiosity. Through practice, teaching, and mentorship, Ryan demonstrates an intentional commitment to using architecture to strengthen communities and create opportunities for people. As nominator James Walbridge, FAIA, noted, Ryan has found purpose in using architecture to “elevate our communities” and enrich the lives of the people and stakeholders it serves.
Architectural | Design Education Award
Recognizes a living person of esteemed character who has rendered distinguished service to the profession of architecture design or to the arts science in a Nebraska institution of higher learning.
Brian M. Kelly, AIA, NCARB, Professor of Architecture, has dedicated more than 20 years to architectural education, with the goal of empowering students to become curious, empathetic, and innovative architects. After beginning his teaching career as a graduate student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Kelly went on to teach at Drury University and California Polytechnic State University before returning to UNL in 2009. As a senior faculty member, he has taught throughout the curriculum and currently leads the College of Architecture’s d.oNE common first-year curriculum, helping establish a strong foundation in design thinking, representation, computation, and historical awareness. His teaching has been recognized with 13 individual teaching awards.
Mentorship is central to Kelly’s approach to education. He has guided students through design studios, research, internships, licensure, and professional careers, with many former students continuing to credit his mentorship as influential to their development as architects. He has also expanded opportunities for students through eight years of leadership of the UNL College of Architecture Internship and Career Fair, growing participation from approximately 40 firms to 62 firms representing opportunities in 23 states. His interdisciplinary teaching and research have created additional opportunities for students, including the ICE Silo design research studio, which brought together researchers from six UNL colleges and introduced students to emerging technologies, collaborative research, and the adaptive reuse of a Cold War missile silo.
Kelly’s influence extends beyond the classroom through research, professional service, and advocacy for architectural education. His research explores contemporary authorship, artificial intelligence, and Cold War defense architecture, with his work shared through publications, exhibitions, lectures, and his co-edited book Artificial. Intelligent. Architecture. He has served on the Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects since 2018 and in numerous leadership roles with NCARB, bringing an educator’s perspective to conversations about professional licensure and the future of the profession. Nominator Jeff Day, FAIA, NCARB Professor of Architecture & Landscape Architecture, Founding Partner, Actual Architecture Company, said, “Kelly’s dedication to advancing architectural knowledge, combined with his collaborative spirit and commitment to academic excellence, makes him an invaluable asset.” Through teaching, mentorship, research, and professional leadership, Kelly has made a lasting contribution to architectural education in Nebraska and beyond.
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