SPSCC Alumni Impact

Elizabeth Glenn, apprentice turned architect at KMB

Elizabeth Glenn didn’t know what she wanted to do after she graduated with the general transfer degree she earned as a Running Start student at Centralia College. She was waiting tables when she found out about the drafting program at SPSCC. Shortly after learning about the program, she decided to move from Lewis County to Olympia to pursue the educational opportunity. ”I didn’t realize I wanted to be an architect when I first started working,” she recalled. After one year in the CAD studies program she secured an internship with KMB Architects and from there the path to her future career became a lot clearer. Elizabeth has spent her entire professional career at KMB Architects and is now an associate Registered Architect at the firm. Because there’s more than one way to become an architect in Washington, Elizabeth was able to get her license without obtaining further education once she left SPSCC. This apprenticeship method to becoming an architect appealed to her because of the flexibility. “I would have never become an architect if further education was the only path. For me, this was definitely the way to go. I was working and had kids.” Elizabeth is proud to be a part of an organization that is making an impact and improving Thurston County. One of her favorite recent projects is a health and wellness center currently under construction for the Nisqually Indian Tribe. ♦

Right: Elizabeth Glenn with Mark Beardemphl, Foundation Board Member and President & Partner at KMB architects.

2003 - Began CAD studies at SPSCC (now the AEC Technology program) 2004 - Started internship with KMB Architects 2004 - Completed Certificate of Architectural Drafting 2005-2013 - Full time employment at KMB while fulfilling internship requirements of the National Council of Architectural Registration Board 2014-2019 - Full time employment at KMB while completing Architecture Registration Exams 2019 - Became a licensed associate Registered Architect

SPSCC alumni sustain 5,364 jobs, account for $341 million in labor income, and add $795 million in production of goods and services

“My favorite part of what I do is seeing something go from an idea to turning into something physical. It’s an amazing experience.” – Elizabeth Glenn

If you are an SPSCC alumni and want to stay in touch, please visit our alumni webpage: spscc.edu/alumni