HWS News
15 December 2022 Landscape Architecture with Barton & Loguidice
Environmental studies capstone helps launch Amanda Kesler’s ’22 career in landscape architecture with Barton & Loguidice.
Amanda Kesler ’22, who graduated magna cum laude in architecture and environmental studies, is working as a landscape architecture intern for the civil engineering consultant firm Barton & Loguidice in Syracuse, N.Y.
Kesler was introduced to the firm through her Senior Integrative Experience Capstone course in environmental studies. Kesler and her classmates participated in hands-on learning with the company as they created a maintenance plan for Geneva’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative. With the help of Professor of Environmental Studies Darrin Magee and Executive Director of Career Services Brandi Ferrara, Kesler seized the opportunity to turn her classroom experience into a job with the firm.
Working with engineers to compile data, Kesler designs environmentally friendly projects and submits waterfront revitalization grants. She cites her contributions to making the Finger Lakes Region more sustainable as a highlight of her work. “I get a chance to be a designer and an environmentalist,” she says. “It’s fulfilling and it’s new every day.”
Kesler believes that the overlap between the two disciplines makes her marketable in the field. “In today’s society, architecture has to be sustainable in design,” she says. “HWS offers both programs so intensively that it gave me a leg up over other students who may not be able to get both. Because I was able to study both disciplines together, I understand how they intersect, and implement that in my designs.”
During her time at HWS, Kesler was a four-year member of the Heron soccer team. She compiled a record of 46-8-6 while posting a 0.56 goals against average and a .810 save percentage. Kesler is ranked in the top 10 in program history in wins (sixth), save percentage (seventh) and goals against average (10th). In 2019, she started in all 24 games, guiding the Herons to the national title game. Her 21 wins in 2019 is second on William Smith’s single-season list. Kesler is William Smith soccer’s second four-time Liberty League All-Academic selection and is a two-time Academic All-District selection.
She says that her experience in athletics helped her develop the skills required to juggle multiple projects at once and to collaborate with the engineers. “As a student athlete, soccer taught me to manage my time very well, and gave me great teamwork skills that translate to my job now--architecture is so team-based.”
