Her journey to NewSchool was influenced by both inspiration and intention. Introduced to the program through her boss, an alumn of the Master’s in Architecture program, she was struck by how highly he spoke of his experience and the role it played in shaping his professional growth. That recommendation, paired with her own desire to expand beyond design, made NewSchool a natural next step. As an international student, she also embraced the opportunity to gain a new perspective, both academically and within the industry.

Throughout her studies, Waldron’s perspective on projects has evolved in meaningful ways. She has come to understand that successful design extends far beyond aesthetics, requiring careful consideration of feasibility, efficiency, and long-term performance. Her exposure to cost control and project delivery systems has been particularly impactful, while her growing interest in value engineering reflects her ability to think critically and creatively at the same time. For her, it is not just about achieving a vision, but about doing so in a way that is thoughtful, efficient, and grounded in real-world constraints.

Looking ahead, Waldron hopes to apply her knowledge to projects that bridge design, construction, and innovation. She is especially interested in working in tropical and developing environments, where well-considered solutions can have a lasting and meaningful impact. Her goal is to contribute to spaces that are not only visually compelling, but also practical, buildable, and sustainable, while integrating modern technology to enhance how projects are delivered and experienced.

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Cesar’s commitment to the profession extends beyond practice through his active involvement in mentorship and leadership. He serves as��Vice President of the Alumni Board of Directors for��NewSchool of Architecture and Design and is an ACE Mentor, where he supports and guides high school students exploring careers in architecture, construction, and engineering. He earned his Master of Architecture (4+3) from��NewSchool of Architecture and Design in 2022.��

Grounded in a human-centered design approach, Cesar has also applied his architectural training to the technology sector, contributing to product development for early-stage web and mobile application startups through user experience and interface design. He aspires to continue expanding his skills��across adjacent design disciplines, including product design, to gain a deeper understanding of how the built environment and everyday objects are conceived and realized.��

Outside of his professional pursuits, Cesar enjoys traveling to study diverse built environments, staying active, and engaging in creative hobbies that further broaden his perspective as a designer.��

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Mehdi Taghavi is the Founder of Taghavi Design Studio, an architectural design practice based in Arizona; focused on thoughtful, client-centered residential architecture, interior renovations, and both small, and large-scale commercial projects.

Taghavi’s background spans over two decades of international and U.S. experience, with work across the Middle East, North America, Central America, and the United States. His approach emphasizes design integrity, human experience, and contextual sensitivity—balancing strong architectural ideas with buildability and real-world constraints.

When asked why he chose NewSchool, he shared that “the strong emphasis on design excellence, critical thinking, and hands-on engagement with real architectural challenges stood out to him. The academic rigor, paired with a culture that encouraged exploration and responsibility, played a key role in shaping how I approach architecture today—both creatively and professionally.”

Through his perspective and experience, Taghavi provided meaningful insight for prospective and current students alike, helping them better envision their path saying “to treat school as more than a place to earn a degree. Use it as a laboratory; test ideas, make mistakes, build relationships, and develop your design voice. Focus on learning how to think like an architect, not just how to produce drawings. Most importantly, stay curious and resilient; architecture rewards those who continue to learn and adapt”.

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Shawn Sistrunk, an alumnus of the Product Design program at NewSchool of Architecture & Design in San Diego, discovered early on that design was where he truly belonged. Driven by his passion for creativity, curation, and problem-solving, he made the bold decision to leave the hospitality industry and pursue a new path at NewSchool. As he progressed through the program, his appreciation for critical thinking and intentional design only grew stronger. In Shawn’s words, he “knew right away this is what he was meant to do.”

Now celebrating one year as co-owner of the local lifestyle brand Vagrent, Shawn is designing products that merge innovation with purpose. Vagrent focuses on environmental and social responsibility while staying aligned with modern trends; offering a unique blend of luxury, sustainability, and urban-inspired products. With several products that have the potential to push the industry forward, Shawn continues to build a brand rooted in intentionality and impact.

Looking back on his NewSchool journey, Shawn encourages future designers and prospective students to connect deeply with their passion for art and creativity, and to consider how they can use that passion to solve real-world problems. He also reminds students to stay grounded in the reality of bringing ideas to life. Establishing personal principles and values as a designer, he says, will guide you throughout both your career and your life.

 

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From drafting table to the skatepark, Shane Yee has always followed a passion for building spaces where communities can come together.

Throughout his time at NewSchool, Shane has carved a path that unites architecture, community, and skateboarding into one seamless vision.��

Balancing the Navy, NewSchool, and Student Leadership

While working toward his Bachelor of Architecture with a minor in Construction Management at NewSchool, Shane was enlisted in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineering Corps. While balancing school and active duty, he stepped into leadership as president of the co-educational college fraternity, Alpha Rho Chi, where he led initiatives to foster community and professional development among students studying architecture and related professions.����

Shane’s hard work and dedication didn’t go unnoticed. In 2019, Shane was awarded a scholarship by the , an organization dedicated to supporting skateboarders in achieving academic and career goals.����

Thesis on Wheels: Merging Skateboarding and Architecture

Growing up, Shane always had a love for skateboarding and skate culture, which became the inspiration for his final thesis: “Skateable Architecture,” an exploration of how skateparks can be designed as an enriching part of skate culture and urban life.����

Shane Yee credits his coursework at NewSchool with teaching him the foundation of architecture so that he could apply it toward his passion: “Learning architecture at NewSchool helped me with the phases of design such as schematic design and design development, while learning construction management helped me with knowing how to build schedules, budgets and safety plans.”��

Beyond Graduation: Designing the Future with Skate Ecosystems

His passion for skateboarding didn’t end with graduation. As co-founder and design leader of —a skate Design + Build firm rooted in innovation, technology, and sustainability, Shane now helps shape skateparks that are not only functional, but also fun and visually stunning. ��

“It’s super fulfilling to work on municipal projects and the various populations and communities they serve and represent.” – Shane reflects.��

Their work Del Rio Skate Garden in Texas, a municipal skate garden and the first AI-assisted skatepark, was recently recognized in the in the category of Landscape Design/Historical Landscapes.��

Bruce Matthes, Director of Integrative Studies at NewSchool couldn’t be prouder of Shane and his accomplishments. “Shane is the perfect example of what can happen when a student from NewSchool applies their education to a passion with purpose. Seeing photographs and videos of young kids and their parents overjoyed that their community of Del Rio opened a new skatepark, one that Shane’s company designed, says it all.”��

Shane currently lives in Austin, Texas serving as the Chief Design Officer for Skate Ecosystems.

Follow him on Instagram @skate_ecosystems or watch his interview on

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