Nonprofit Supports Chicago Latina Architects

The Arquitina organization is helping Latina professionals navigate the path to licensure in the United States.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Hispanic

Nonprofit Supports Chicago Latina Architects

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Do you believe specialized support networks are necessary to help underrepresented professionals advance in their careers?

Architect Alicia Ponce founded the nonprofit Arquitina to provide essential support and mentorship to Latina architects across the country. The organization currently counts more than 500 members as it works to address long-standing gaps in representation within the field.

Why it matters

Ponce launched the nonprofit after facing a significant lack of mentorship during her own journey toward becoming a licensed architect. By connecting professionals, the group helps members overcome barriers to completing critical architectural registration exams.

Latinas now represent 3% of all licensed architects in the United States, an increase from 1% six years ago. The Arquitina nonprofit has expanded to include more than 500 members nationwide.

The players

Alicia Ponce

She is the founder of the nonprofit Arquitina and the Chicago-based firm AP Monarch Architecture.

Arquitina

This is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and connecting Latina architects across the country.

The details

Alicia Ponce, who operates the firm AP Monarch Architecture in the Back of the Yards neighborhood of Chicago, also authored the three-volume Latinas in Architecture anthology series to elevate the professional experiences of her peers. The organization provides resources to help Latina architects complete their registration requirements.

Six years ago, Latinas represented one percent of licensed architects.
Today, Latinas make up three percent of licensed architects in the U.S.

Culture Shift

This effort reflects a broader movement to dismantle professional barriers that have historically kept minority groups underrepresented in the design and construction sectors. Arquitina aligns with the wider push for institutional mentorship to mirror the demographic diversity of the country.

For residents in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, this development highlights the presence of a specialized professional network based right in their community. Aspiring architects can utilize these resources to better navigate the professional registration process and career advancement.

The takeaway

Mentorship networks remain a vital tool for increasing diversity in highly regulated professional fields. Professionals looking to advance can utilize these specific group resources to find the guidance they need for licensure and beyond.