Rebecca Ray
About me: I studied polymers and fibers at Auburn University and worked in the engineering field for a few years in the Southeast before moving to Boston with my husband in 2008.
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Now I live in: Beacon Hill
Favorite class: Studio I
Best thing about studio: When a part of your design evolves into something you really feel good about
Worst thing about studio: Letting go of that part of your design when it stops working
At my studio desk: A coffee cup… I bet that’s what everyone says!
All-nighters: I do not function well with all-nighters, but I have pulled some really early mornings.
Favorite thing to do after a review: Cry. No really, just get away and get my mind off of the project for a while.
Ideal future plans: I hope to intern with an architect here in Boston, and one day I hope to work with my father, James Armstrong, who is an architect in Nashville.

Mark Riemitis
About me: I graduated at Wentworth Institute of Technology in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. Shortly after, I enrolled at the Boston Architectural College for the M.Arch. program before transferring to MassArt. During my time at the BAC, I participated in many community-based design projects.
Hometown: Hampstead, NH
Now I live in: The Fenway area
Past summer travels: Rock-climbing at Sabbaday Falls in Conway, NH.
Reason I got into architecture: I love to draw and sketch, which led me to draw buildings starting at a young age.
Favorite class: Studio
Looking forward to: Design/Build
At my studio desk: Most likely a lot of conceptual models and sketches, anything to keep my ideas flowing
Favorite thing to do after a review: I enjoy going out with my classmates and friends and reflect on the review.

Jeff Brauer
About me: Born in the Great Garden State. Creative interests throughout childhood centering on architecture and drawing. Liberal arts education in architecture at Hobart College. Attending MassArt to gain accredited degree in able to go on to architectural licensure.
Nickname: I have one, but it’s a secret to me
Hometown: Princeton, NJ
Now I live in: JP
Reason I got into architecture: Bring about positive change through adapting to the environment
Favorite class: Studio
Best thing about studio: Refrigeration
Worst thing about studio: Tower
At my studio desk: Everything
All-nighters: Absolutely
Favorite thing to do after a review: Drink at the Pig
Future plans: Have a job in a firm where I am learning about my strongest interests

Margaret Okonkwo
About me: I am a 32 year old with a BS. degree in Architectural Engineering from WIT.  Upon graduation I was fortunate to get a job as an architectural designer and as the years rolled by, I realized I was not "architecturally" where I needed to be and decided it was time to go back to school for my Masters in Architecture.  These days, when not "schooling", I still enjoy dancing, good food, good music, good friends and family, meeting new people and trying new things.
Nickname: Margaritas or 'Ritas
Hometown: Born in Aurora, IL, raised in Lagos, Nigeria
Now I live in: Randolph
Past summer travels: Maine, Maryland, Martha's Vineyard
Reason I got into architecture: My uncle Alfred inspired me through his renderings and floor plans and I realized then that I was curious about how buildings came together.
Best thing about studio: Camaraderie
At my studio desk: Trace paper
Favorite thing to do after a review: Go home and pig out!!
Future plans: Sit for the AREs, LEED, then gain employment (again)

Alyson Cotton
About me: I graduated from U.Mass. Amherst with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architecture in February, 2011. Between graduating and starting the M.Arch Track II program at MassArt in September, I worked at a software/hardware engineering firm.
Nickname: Aly, Al, A, J, AlyCat
Hometown: Harvard, MA
Now I live in: Allston
Reason I got into architecture: In high school I loved art and was good at math, architecture seemed like a good combination of the two. I have grown to love the discipline over the years.
Why MassArt: Location, emphasis on structures
Favorite class: Design/Build
Looking forward to: IDP
Best thing about studio: The amount of space
Worst thing about studio: The frigid temperatures. I love the cold, but not that much.
At my studio desk: Cutting board.
All-nighters: Not when I can avoid it (which is often)
Favorite thing to do after a review: Go home and relax with a book and a drink.
Future plans: I would love to work in a Design/Build firm, but I think I could be happy at many different types of firms.

Jessica Darling
About me: Aside from architecture, I really love to be in both the wood and jewelry shops at MassArt. I'm very hands-on by nature and tend to work with only what I have -- scraps, found materials, minimal spaces, etc. -- and maximize their potential.
Hometown: Fitchburg, MA
Now I live: Five minutes from studio
Reason I got into architecture: All those afternoons sitting by my grandfather at his drafting desk as a child rubbed off I guess! Thanks Gramps!
Favorite class: Building Components & Details
Dream plans: As a girl, I used to dream about making houses for lovely families and constructing their first piece of furniture for their new home as a surprise gift. Unrealistic? Maybe, but it sounds nice, doesn't it?
Best/Worst thing about studio: Having people around to stay motivated (or distracted).. it's a blessing and a curse.
At my studio desk: Bananas, Bagels and Beyonce. The 3 essential B's you need to get through a long day.
All-nighters: Thank goodness for coffee...
Favorite thing to do after a review: Go to the Squealing Pig for that one drink before you sleep off the next 10 hours.

Ryan Barry Hacker
About me: Artist, designer, functionalist, writer, and human; native to the Bay State and proud of it.
Hometown: Worcester, MA; Now I live in: Mission Hill, Boston, MA
Reason I got into architecture: From a young age – maybe 5 or 6 – I drew buildings, site plans, detailed elevations, and imagined spaces. I copied over existing blueprints or entire atlas pages to learn their intricacies. It occurred to me that aspects of our world that most people consider boring were quite fascinating to me. So much of design is detail oriented, something I’ve always been good at. Architecture is also about being a successful generalist, which appeals to me.
Why MassArt: Location, affordability; reputation as the Nation’s first and only freestanding art college; approachability of faculty members.
Favorite class: Architectural Photography with R. Coppola, and Drawing I with S. Dunn.
Best thing about studio: Space; access to wide variety of resources, such as the model shop.
Worst thing about studio: Loud and annoying music.
At my studio desk: A clean workspace, first and foremost. Also, coffee/a snack hidden for when you get grouchy.
All-nighters: Try to avoid if possible... Sleep is your friend!
Favorite thing to do after a review: Go for a long, meandering walk through Boston, and think of how you can go back to just killing some time now that your review is done.
Future plans: Masters and Doctoral work for sure, but specifics are yet to be determined.