When Anna Crouse started college, she had a clear long-term goal: to become an architect. But she also had the foresight to know she needed to explore the field before fully committing to the years – and financial investment – required to get there. That’s how she found herself in the Architectural Technology program at DMACC’s Hunziker Center in Ames.
“I knew I wanted to be an architect, but I hadn’t dipped my toes into the field yet,” Anna said. “Pursuing this degree first felt like the same kind of stepping stone a future nurse might take by becoming a CNA. I wanted to build a strong foundation.”
That foundation is already paying off. Anna is currently working as a Building Information Modeling (BIM) technician at TenFold Architecture + Engineering, where she’s applying the exact tools she’s learning in class.
“The programs we use at DMACC are the same ones I use at work,” Anna said. “That hands-on learning has made all the difference.”
Anna initially enrolled at Iowa State University but soon realized the broad coursework left her feeling unsure.
“It just wasn’t the vibe,” she said with a laugh. “I felt like I was skipping a step. I needed something more grounded, more aligned with real-world experience, and DMACC offered that.”
Her passion for architectural design didn’t stem from childhood LEGO builds or sketchbooks of dream homes. It came from lived experience. Anna grew up around hospitals and medical buildings; her mother was a medical administrator, her father a hospital chaplain at one point. Anna herself spent three years working in dementia care units.
“I’ve always been fascinated by how medical spaces are designed to serve people,” she said. “Architecture that’s centered around people – that's what excites me.”
That human-centered mindset is something Anna sees reflected in the program at DMACC’s Hunziker Center, especially among its passionate instructors.
“I’ve had professors stay late after class and even meet with me outside office hours just to make sure I understood the material,” she said. “They’ve even helped me troubleshoot questions I’ve had at work. That kind of support is rare.”
Beyond the classroom, the program also provides strong job placement opportunities. Through connections fostered by faculty, who stay invested and up to date in the industry, architectural companies visit the program and give presentations. That’s how Anna got her current job.
Now nearing graduation, Anna has a new lens on the world – literally.
“My coursework has made me look at buildings differently,” she said. “Right now, we’re modeling the same building we’re sitting in, and it’s completely changed how I see space and structure.”
She’s quick to acknowledge that the program isn’t easy.
“It’s not something you do just to get a degree. It’s hard work. But it’s so rewarding,” Anna said. “I truly believe the Architectural Technology program at DMACC is a hidden gem. I’m so grateful I found it.”
Bear Trails highlights unique journeys of DMACC students, alumni, faculty, and staff, celebrating their diverse experiences and inspiring paths. Have a story idea? Contact Savannah Eadens, Public Relations & Communications Specialist, at sjeadens@dmacc.edu or 515-675-3275.