PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – For the past year and a half, Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) student Reuben Cheeks has been at the forefront of leadership in the School of Architecture’s graduate program. With a bachelor’s degree in architecture from PVAMU under his belt, he has already launched his career with an internship at the WORKac design firm in New York City.
“This internship has been a tough but amazing experience,” he said. “The office has offered to hire me to work a position in the office for a longer period after graduating.”
Cheeks was born and raised in Missouri City, Texas. He has used his time at PVAMU to get a high-quality education and travel the country and world.
“I have had so many instances where I took an opportunity that was very new to me, but it turned out to be a life-changing event,” he said. “I studied abroad in Dubai, UAE, and would not take that experience back for anything. I have traveled to about 12 different states and visited Toronto, Canada, last New Year’s. I could not have done any of those things without the university.”
Cheeks, who’s earning a master’s degree in architecture this weekend, hopes to become a leading architect in the industry, consciously helping to make the built environment of the world better.
“There are so many threats being brought upon the world, and some things can be solved by an architect, especially younger generations of designers,” he said. “Architecture used to be about more than just designing a building for the rich and wealthy. It was about how the design could benefit the user; it was about how the design could help the community have a stronger relationship with each other. I want to be one of those front-runner designers that can help make that happen for the future.”
Cheeks has been serving as the president of PVAMU’s chapter of the American Institute of Architectural Students (AIAS), and he was awarded AIAS Chapter Leader of the Month last February. His nomination highlighted the work he did helping families in need in Houston after the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey.
“PVAMU gave me so many opportunities to be a great student, and it gave me the confidence to go into the real working world with a certain mindset that I cannot be stopped or broken at any circumstance,” Cheeks said.
“Reuben really shows the determination as a leader. He has completely turned PVAMU AIAS around. Reuben will humbly accept any award given, but his consciousness to help others, serve, and his great skill in architecture make this a very easy nomination,” said John Okello, visiting assistant professor of architecture at PVAMU, in Cheeks’ nomination.
Cheeks advises current students to take advantage of professional and academic opportunities while attending PVAMU. He noted the opportunities he experienced came from the skills learned through his degree program and the networking connections he gained through his professors and mentors.
“The world after college is very different, and you should be taking every opportunity to explore and prepare yourself for it. PVAMU has prepared me, and they have made me into a stronger person to conquer my goals in life after college,” he said.
Cheeks credits the high-caliber students and faculty at PVAMU with creating an environment where Black architects can thrive and create new and engaging spaces. He encourages other architecture students to push the limits so more minority and female architects can enter the field.
“Being around counterparts who have the same drive and compassion to be a better person and better designer is amazing,” Cheeks said of his cohort. “Coming in with other minority designers gave everyone the sense that we are going to be the new generation of people to change the built environment, and that is a big deal to all of us.”
By Jocelyn Kerr
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