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Raised within an Indigenous community, Neshaaw Osuna-Sutton is an undergraduate student pursuing his Bachelor of Architecture at NewSchool of Architecture & Design. His path to architecture began quietly, through a simple curiosity about design. Looking at the facade of his local library, he began questioning its form and discovered there was an entire field dedicated to understanding and shaping the built environment.

That curiosity led Neshaaw to begin his architectural education at San Diego Mesa College, where his professors helped him see not only a future in architecture, but the impact he could have through it. He especially credits Professor Jose Parral with showing him how he could use architecture to positively influence the community he grew up in. That mentorship helped shape Neshaaw’s vision of one day starting his own firm, developing a practice focused on single family residential homes, and eventually expanding his design philosophies to other parts of the United States.

Community was the driving force in how he was raised. He grew up in a culture where respecting elders was a priority. At community gatherings, when it was time to eat, elders were served first. That principle shaped the way he now thinks about architecture and urban space. The buildings and environments a designer creates have an impact on the people who inhabit them. For Neshaaw, serving the people he designs for is not simply a choice that comes with becoming an architect. It is something that has been ingrained in his identity from day one.

Choosing architecture also meant embracing uncertainty. Neshaaw describes the transition as changing his life to orient himself toward the role of an architect, from his routines and hobbies to his role within his community and becoming comfortable talking to new people. Through networking, branching outside of his familiar crowd, and making new connections, he eventually found himself at NewSchool of Architecture & Design.

At NewSchool, Neshaaw has continued to grow his curiosity, strengthen his craft, and surround himself with others who share his passion. The confidence he gained through classmates, mentors, and his community also pushed him toward another challenge: becoming more involved in student life.

After recognizing a need for greater student engagement and representation on campus, Neshaaw wanted to help create change. Today, he serves as Vice President of Student Council, where he strives to be a true voice for his fellow students while also carrying a strong voice for his own Indigenous identity.

As Neshaaw continues his journey in architecture, community remains at the heart of what he hopes to accomplish. His goal is not simply to design buildings, but to understand the people who will experience them, honor the community that shaped him, and use architecture as a way to create a positive impact for those he serves.