Rachelle Rowe
Department of Architecture
Architecture, Fifth Year Undergraduate

What inspired you to become a CCFA Student Ambassador, and what do you enjoy most about the role?
Initially, meeting a few of the Student Ambassadors in the CCFA Office and hearing about the program firsthand is what truly sparked my interest. Reflecting on how passionate I am about being an Architecture major, and how welcomed I felt in my department and in the college, inspired me to help other students feel that same sense of belonging. In the role itself, I love that no two days are the same. From meeting new people to supporting incoming, continuing, and transfer students, every interaction is a chance to celebrate and share our creative, diverse community.

How has being a Student Ambassador helped you grow as a leader or professional?
Being a Student Ambassador has pushed me to step outside my comfort zone on a daily basis, and I can see real growth in myself as a result. The role has given me countless opportunities to connect and network with professionals across the university, the broader community, and beyond. More than anything, it has taught me to anticipate and embrace change, which I believe is one of the most valuable lessons any leader can learn. Life and circumstances are always shifting, and developing the ability to adapt within them has made me not only a stronger professional, but a more thoughtful and resilient person overall.

What’s the most unexpected skill you’ve learned while being an ambassador that you never saw coming?
One of the most unexpected skills I’ve discovered is what I call "implicit retrieval," the ability to recall information spontaneously without realizing I had remembered it. This is particularly helpful when it comes to assisting with events and in the office.

If your role as an ambassador came with a superpower, what would it be, and how would you use it to help CCFA?
That’s a no-brainer. It would definitely be Hyper-Velocity Precision. We often have much to do in the office, around campus, and elsewhere. Whether these tasks require brain power, physical effort, or something else entirely, high-velocity precision would help me complete everything quickly and accurately.

Where are you from, and how has your hometown influenced your academic journey at CCFA?
I was born in Long Island, New York, grew up around Raleigh, North Carolina, and moved to Memphis, Tennessee, over seven years ago. Having mixed origins with northern parents and being raised in the South has helped me love and appreciate a variety of cultures, races, and demographics. I love the diversity of the academic departments within CCFA and knowing that my background is something to be celebrated. This is something I see every day and appreciate in the faculty, department heads, students, and every person I encounter. 

What was the defining moment or event that led you to pursue a degree at CCFA?
The defining moment came when I met with Andrew Parks, an architect and Architecture professor here at the University. He made time to simply sit down with me and talk about his journey into architecture. I got to ask him what it meant to him, how it looked in practice, and listen to his life story while also getting a clearer picture of what a degree program might look like for me. It was the first time I had ever spoken with someone about their career and felt no need to glance down at my prepared questions.

He then connected me with Jennifer Barker in the Architecture Department, who welcomed my questions and addressed every concern I had about the program and how it would fit into my life. It was the first time I truly felt seen, heard, and understood, like I was more than just a number. I felt like someone they genuinely cared about and that, if I joined their program, that care would continue. That is what made my decision for me. 

How has your time as an ambassador shaped your connection to the CCFA community and your future goals?
My time as an ambassador has deepened my connection to the CCFA community as a whole, rather than keeping me rooted only in my own department. I love getting to know people from across the college, understanding their specific departments, their roles, and what drives them. Beyond that, being able to support incoming students and those navigating transitional moments brings me real joy because I remember firsthand how much it means to have a positive, encouraging presence during those times.

Becoming an architect has been a lifelong dream, and learning that less than 1% of architects in the United States are Black women has given that dream even greater weight. It reminds me that this role carries significance beyond the classroom. I get to be a visible, positive presence not only for students in the program, but also for people in my broader community who may never otherwise have the opportunity to meet a Black female architect in their lifetime.