Find out what it’s like to be a CAPLA student first-hand.
Reach out to any of our student ambassadors, who are glad to answer your questions about the CAPLA experience: working in a studio environment, faculty interaction, living in Tucson and the Sonoran Desert and more.
Ameya Chaurasia
Ameya Chaurasia
The CAPLA experience to me, means being part of a community that not only challenges you to think critically and design with purpose, but also supports you in growing as an individual. It’s a place where collaboration, creativity, and curiosity come together to shape how we understand and impact the built environment.
Hello! My name is Ameya Chaurasia. I am from New Delhi, India, and I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Architecture. To me, CAPLA is more than just a school, it is tight-knit community of ambitious, passionate, and dedicated aspirants, working alongside expertise faculty towards a collective goal for the betterment of human society, while developing individual intellect, and design orientation and solutions.
In the field of architecture, I have gained experience interning at both a construction company and as an interior designer.
The advice I would give to prospective students is to approach every project and course with optimism and ambition — to use each opportunity to discover and understand oneself as a designer, while also fostering meaningful relationships with peers and upperclassmen.
Anna Welter
Anna Welter
The CAPLA Experience consists of exploring new interests and perspectives, bringing positive change to the world around us, and creating new connections and ideas that can improve the experience of all CAPLA students.
As a student from Salem, Oregon, I enjoy meeting new people, grabbing coffee, attending cycling classes, hiking, and discovering new arts and crafts in my free time. My favorite thing about CAPLA is the welcoming, open-minded, and innovative environment it provides. One of the biggest challenges I've faced at the University of Arizona has been finding balance between my rigorous courses and other important aspects of my life, such as maintaining relationships and focusing on my health. While I don’t yet have career experience in landscape architecture, my goal is to become a practicing landscape architect in Oregon, and perhaps even own my own firm one day. My biggest piece of advice to CAPLA students is to approach this experience with an open mind. It may be difficult to adjust to student life at first, but if you stay committed, you'll adapt and grow to love it. CAPLA is a fantastic place to explore your passions, collaborate with others, and set yourself up for a successful future!
Catherine Etches
Catherine Etches
The CAPLA experience means being part of a community that supports you to excel in all aspects of college life. Embrace challenges, trust in yourself, and don’t hesitate to lean on peers and professors when needed.
Elizabeth Anne Rust
Elizabeth Anne Rust
The CAPLA experience means to be an active participant in all aspects of the college. Always accept a challenge and never be afraid to ask for help from peers and professors when needed.
Lesley Ann Perez
Lesley Ann Perez
The CAPLA experience is a journey of community and growth, where I’ve been able to develop both personally and professionally while pursuing my passions.
Hi, my name is Lesley Pérez and I am pursuing a dual master’s in Urban Planning and Architecture. I am from Mexico and was raised in East Los Angeles, California.
To me, CAPLA means community and growth in several aspects of my life. During my free time, I enjoy trying new restaurants, reading, and going swimming. My biggest obstacle has been being the first to obtain degrees from both undergrad and graduate school in my family.
My goal is to eventually work in community planning to create safer cities for citizens. My best advice is to just give things a try, you only have one life to live, so do what you want the most!
Ricky Donovan Arriaga
Ricky Donovan Arriaga
The CAPLA experience is about growth, collaboration, and bringing unique ideas to life through the support of a creative community. Embrace new experiences, and let each one inspire you to build and innovate.
Hello everyone! My name is Ricky Donovan Arriaga, and I’m from the Koreatown neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. I’m currently studying for my Bachelor of Architecture and expect to graduate in 2026. To me, CAPLA is a place where you can grow your ideas and explore your ambitions, thanks to the supportive network of peers and professors. It’s a space where studio culture allows shared ideas to flourish, creating something truly unique. Outside of school, my main passion is writing—I’ve been working on short stories for years and hope to publish them soon. I also love film, always seeking out new movies and visiting local theaters whenever I travel. CAPLA’s collaborative spaces, like our large workshop, materials lab, and gallery areas, are some of my favorite features. They allow us to explore and share projects with others in an inspiring environment. One of my biggest challenges at CAPLA has been learning to prioritize my well-being and growth over distractions that don’t serve my goals. I’ve been involved in residential real estate and construction for several years and recently started working with a commercial real estate firm. My career goal is to open my own real estate development firm and continue my work in the Southwest. For prospective CAPLA students, my advice is: never hesitate to try something new. Be the beginning of something unique, and let every experience teach and inspire you.
Robin Tittelbaugh
Robin Tittelbaugh
The CAPLA experience means fostering growth, embracing creativity, and pushing yourself further each day. Don’t hesitate to explore new ideas, ask questions, and learn from every opportunity.
Hello, everyone! My name is Robin Tittelbaugh, and I’m from Flagstaff, Arizona. I’m studying for my Bachelor’s in Landscape Architecture with a Minor in Sustainable Built Environments, graduating in 2027. To me, CAPLA is all about growth—each semester brings new insights, skills, and changes to my design approach, and it’s amazing to look back and see the progress. Outside of school, I love spending time with family and friends and exploring the outdoors through hiking, camping, and thrifting. Music is also a huge part of my life; I’m a member and choreographer of U of A’s Enharmonics A Cappella group. CAPLA challenges and inspires me to think differently about the world around us, from campus to natural landscapes, and it’s shown me how I can make a positive impact on the future. I joined CAPLA as a transfer student, which was initially intimidating. I worried about being “behind” compared to others, but CAPLA’s welcoming environment helped me feel at home. I’ve met so many people who also switched majors or transferred, which has reassured me. Now, I’m excited to be in a field I’m passionate about and grateful for the experiences that led me here. My goal is to become a landscape architect and use sustainable design to create healthier, eco-friendly communities. My advice to prospective students? Think outside the box. Embrace the unconventional, don’t fear mistakes, and let your creativity take the lead—they’re the seeds of growth and improvement!
Román Vega
Román Vega
The CAPLA experience means embracing a supportive, engaging, and community-driven environment that guides you through each aspect of your chosen path within the college. CAPLA encourages a proactive approach to challenges and a willingness to reach out to peers and professors for help along the way.
Hello everyone, my name is Román J. Vega. I’m from Yuma, Arizona, but I grew up in San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico. I’m currently pursuing my Bachelor of Architecture, set to graduate in 2028. Being a part of CAPLA has introduced me to incredible friends, mentors, and connections that enrich my journey as an architecture student. CAPLA is a community that truly supports and uplifts its members, offering friendships, unforgettable experiences, and achievements that I know will stay with me for a lifetime. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends, going to concerts, reading, and exploring new activities here in Tucson. My favorite part of this program is the strong sense of community—whether in studio or outside class, I’m surrounded by peers who understand what I’m going through. We help each other and grow together, making the CAPLA experience truly unique. One of my biggest challenges here has been time management, especially learning when to step back and take a break. Procrastination is not an option in such a demanding program, but hitting that “submit” button after finishing a project brings immense relief and satisfaction. This upcoming winter, I’ll be an architectural intern with Nicklaus Engineering, and I’m looking forward to a future in residential architecture with hopes of also working in live-theatre set design. My advice? Give yourself credit for your hard work, maintain a positive mindset, and surround yourself with people who help you become your best self.
Ryan Blake
Ryan Blake
The CAPLA experience combines collaboration, education, and experiences which are propelling me toward a successful future in architecture. Lasting friendships and connections are easily made because of the close, supportive community created within its walls.
I am from Phoenix, Arizona. Beyond earning my degree in architecture, I enjoy photography, outdoor activities such as hiking and sports, spending time with friends and family, and watching my favorite sports teams. What I enjoy most about CAPLA are the opportunities to think out of the box and be creative. CAPLA offers the space, tools, and resources that allow students the opportunity to be innovative and creative on a daily basis. I appreciate the many opportunities to collaborate with fellow students as we learn from each other. My biggest challenge at CAPLA is remembering to care for myself and not work so hard on projects that I forget to eat or sleep. I am currently interning with an architectural design firm in Phoenix. This experience has both complemented and enhanced my education. My goal upon graduation is to become a registered architect and run my own architectural design firm. Besides being a student ambassador, I am also currently involved with the NOMAS club, ASAC, and attend most Wildcat sporting events as an active ZonaZoo member. My advice for prospective students is to keep pursuing your passions. Come with an open mind and willingness to work hard, and you will find success. The faculty and fellow students of CAPLA are here for you.