Financial relief — plus a little inspiration and resolve — come in the form of a fellowship.
K-State’s College of Architecture, Planning and Design, famous for highly personalized instruction from expert faculty, dominates in national rankings with multiple top 10 placings. Its master’s programs are renowned for the creativity, thoughtfulness and professionalism they instill in their students. What if they could also set the standard for affordability?
K-State students pursuing careers in architecture, industrial design, interior architecture, landscape architecture, and regional and community planning don’t have the option of a bachelor’s degree. Instead, their diploma can be earned through an accelerated five-year master’s program.
Sure, the two-in-one approach is convenient. Where things can get complicated, however, is the price tag of an extra year in school.
For years, the college and loyal donors have been working to cap the cost of this master’s degree through a fifth-year fellowship. The goal? To become the first nationally ranked architecture school to cover the cost of its final year for all students.
What students say
More than 50 fellowships were awarded for the 2024-25 academic year, and the effect was profound. For 2025-26, that number jumped to 87 fellowships — more than two-thirds of the college’s fifth-year master’s students.
Here’s how the fifth-year fellowship powered the success of four students, in their own words:
Kara Davis, interior architecture
Meriden, Kansas
Growing up, I discovered my passion for design while helping my grandparents renovate and redesign their rental properties. This early exposure ignited a love for creating beautiful, functional spaces and solidified my desire to pursue a career as a professional designer who enhances living environments and contributes to the well-being of communities.
Beyond the monetary support, this scholarship affirms my achievements and potential, motivating me to strive for excellence and continue pushing boundaries. It opened doors to new experiences, networking opportunities and resources that might otherwise be out of reach, empowering me to achieve my academic and career goals with greater confidence and support.
Contributions to the fifth-year fellowship fund serve as a reminder that there are compassionate individuals who believe in the power of education and the potential within each student. Thanks to the fellowship, I’m able to concentrate on my studies, seize opportunities for growth and strive to make a positive impact in my community. I’m determined to honor that support by giving back to others in the future.
Devin Tilley, landscape architecture
Wakefield, Kansas
In the field of architecture, it isn’t easy to achieve a high-quality design without putting in an extensive amount of effort and time. It gets even more complicated when students are balancing studio life with work life to get by. For this reason, it’s incredibly generous and thoughtful of supporters to provide students with assistance in times of need.
I want to base my career on designing therapeutic, healing landscapes within urban settings to reduce feelings of overstimulation and enhance one’s sense of belonging in a city. Receiving this scholarship had an immense impact, allowing me to fully immerse myself in my studies throughout my final year and push my designs further in the studio.
The fifth-year fellowship motivates us to work harder and strive to produce the best work we can.
Grace Parrott, interior architecture
Riverside, Missouri
I chose K-State because of the impressive reputation of the APDesign program. I hope to someday design environments that improve the experience of the individual, preferably at an architecture firm where I feel supported and inspired to create great designs.
I’ve been responsible for most of my finances in college, and figuring out how to pay for school can be scary at times. This scholarship allows me to breathe easier, but it does more than that. It helps me participate in educational field trips, pay for software applications and purchase supplies for my studio and furniture project.
After graduation, I plan to pay off my student loans within two to five years. Receiving this scholarship will help me meet that goal. It’s a beautiful thing to attend a university that has opportunities like this to help students pay for their graduate classes. I’m honored to receive this scholarship, and I hope to be able to pass on the gift in the future.
Cale Mueller, landscape architecture
Kansas City, Missouri
Outdoor spaces have always been significant to me. Once I discovered landscape architecture, I knew it was the path I wanted to pursue.
My professional goals are to design spaces that others enjoy and to focus on eco-friendly practices. I’ve invested a significant amount of time and effort in my studies, so it’s heartwarming to see that others care deeply about the development of young designers. I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity and hope to achieve a great deal in my final year.
I hope to continue the cycle of support someday, helping student designers achieve great things for the university and the program as a whole.
Learn how you can support the APDesign fifth-year fellowship program.