Trivers has partnered with Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) on more than 60 campus historic preservation and new construction initiatives since 1990. However, the firm’s relationship with the school extends beyond projects. Many Trivers team members are WashU alumni who are eager to serve as mentors through university programs like the CityStudioSTL Fellowship.
The CityStudioSTL Fellowship provides funded opportunities for architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design students and recent graduates from WashU’s Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts to work with a local firm to address socially engaged challenges in St. Louis. Made possible through CityStudioSTL and coordinated by the school’s Office for Socially Engaged Practice, participants collaborate on meaningful civic projects in the St. Louis region over a 12-week period.
Trivers was one of the first three firms to host students when the CityStudioSTL Fellowship began in 2017. Ashley Hoolihan, AIA, LEED GA, Trivers associate principal has been involved with the program since its inception, reviewing resumes, conducting interviews and helping select fellows for Trivers to host.
Jesse Price, LEED GA was Trivers’ 2024 CityStudioSTL Fellow. She assisted with the master plan for St. Louis Art Place Initiative, which seeks to create wealth and equity through homeownership for low- and moderate-income artists of all disciplines through the reuse and preservation of vacant and deteriorating properties. She also worked with the American Cancer Society to develop a vision for the organization’s new Hope Lodge projects around the United States.
CityStudioSTL fellows come from all over the United States. Jesse is from Columbus, Ohio, while Hannah Grau, Trivers’ 2025 CityStudioSTL Fellow, is from Louisville, Kentucky. Matthew Bernstine, AICP, LEED AP, director of WashU’s Office for Socially Engaged Practice said the fellowship gives participants like Jesse and Hannah a glimpse into what it is like to live and work in the St. Louis area.
With a master’s degree in architecture from WashU and a bachelor’s degree in interior design from High Point University, Hannah focused on civic and community-centered projects for Promise Community Homes and Citizens for Modern Transit during her fellowship. She is passionate about engaging the community and bringing enthusiasm to all scales of interventions, from bus shelters to housing developments. As a former fellow and friend, Jesse provided support and advice.
While fellows gain hands-on, real-world experience working on socially engaged projects, Trivers’ clients benefit from the unique perspectives and enthusiasm that students and recent graduates bring to the table.
For many, the CityStudioSTL Fellowship turns into a career opportunity. Jesse was offered a full-time position as an architectural designer at Trivers when her fellowship ended in 2024.
Current Sam Fox School architecture, landscape architecture and urban design undergraduate and graduate students or recent graduates are eligible to apply for the fellowship. More information about the timeline and expectations for applicants can be found here.
Given the increasing demand from students and graduates, local firms and community partners, Matt is optimistic that the CityStudioSTL Fellowship will continue to expand.
To learn more about the CityStudioSTL Fellowship, click here.
