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ACE Team 8 Student Semoi Khan Receives Asian-American Architects and Engineers Foundation Scholarship

On August 12th, 2022, ACE Team 8 member Semoi Khan, a 2022 graduate of Stuyvesant High School, an alumnus of DDC’s 2021 and 2022 ACE Mentor Program Team 8, and DDC’s 2020 Summer Lunch and Learn Program, received the prestigious Asian-American Architects and Engineers Foundation Scholarship. This scholarship awards recipients a $5000 grant to students who have demonstrated a measurable level of involvement/service to the Asian-Pacific Islander community, and are student members of AAa/e. Semoi is headed to Pratt Institute in the fall.

Semoi Khan stated, “My career goal is to become an architect and use my creativity to produce sustainable aesthetics in infrastructure and construction that promote justice to society. In my free time, I enjoy creating art, drawing, photography, videography, CADing, badminton and swimming. I am very grateful for this generous college scholarship as it will help me get one step closer to my goals.”

“I know I speak for the entire DDC STEAM Team and our ACE Team 8 mentors when I say we are incredibly proud of Semoi. She is a leader among her peers and is not shy about working hard to achieve her goals. Semoi has a very bright future ahead of her. Pratt Institute is fortunate to have her in their freshman class. We have no doubt she will continue to excel in the years to come,” said Deputy Commissioner for Community Partnerships and STEAM Initiatives Lee Llambelis.

Oral Selkridge, ACE Team 8 Mentor and the Director of Public Buildings at DDC, stated, “Semoi is an excellent student whom I have had the honor of working with as a mentor for the ACE Mentor Program of America. She has had a positive and strong motivational influence on our other students. Last year’s program required our team to design a homeless shelter for the National Design and Construction Competition. Semoi exhibited a wide range of design skills and made impressive contributions to the design of the homeless shelter. Our design project placed third nationally. Semoi is a team player who is always eager to learn. This was her second year as a member of ACE Team 8. She worked with her team on a design challenge solution for urban renewal/ rebirth. She approached the design challenge with enthusiasm, creativity, and thoughtfulness. Congratulations on this much deserved award.”

DDC STEAM and the ACE Mentor Program aim to expose students to the many career fields in architecture, engineering, and construction management. Scholarship opportunities like the Asian-American Architects and Engineers Foundation Scholarship allow highly motivated students like Semoi the chance to pursue their professional dreams.


About the NYC Department of Design and Construction
The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager. In supporting Mayor Adams’ long-term vision of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, and new or upgraded roads, sewers and water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $15.5 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative and environmentally conscious design and construction strategies to City projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.