Erika Zekos

Erika Zekos is a senior lecturer in the architecture department at University of Massachusetts, Amherst. In addition to teaching design studios and seminars, she is the Undergraduate Program Director. Erika has a B.Arch and BS in Building Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She also holds an M.Ed in Higher Education and a Social Justice Education Graduate Certificate in Teaching for Diversity from UMass Amherst.  Erika comes to the department with experience in private practice, non-profit leadership, and design education in K-12 environments and at a number of regional colleges. Her multi-disciplinary practice addresses questions of space and identity through design. Her research and creative work explore a variety of themes, including the relationship between design and placemaking, as well as strategies for meaningful community engagement; using the creative process to give a voice to communities impacted by design through site-specific installations and hands-on projects.