Celebrating the 2025-2026 PAYETTE Sho-Ping Chin Memorial Academic Scholarship Recipient

We are pleased to announce the 2025-2026 recipient of the PAYETTE Sho-Ping Chin Memorial Academic Scholarship, Anna Karel.

This award honors late architect Sho-Ping Chin, FAIA, a long-time principal at PAYETTE and a healthcare practice leader who was instrumental in defining and elevating the national discourse for women in design. As part of the prize, Anna will receive a $10,000 scholarship and will be mentored by an architect at PAYETTE for the scholarship year.

Anna is a rising fifth year Bachelor of Architecture student at the Illinois Institute of Technology with a specialization in Architectural History and Theory.

Anna demonstrates a deep commitment to the profession and practice. At IIT, Anna serves as the President of AIAS, a student group that represents more than 500 students. Anna deftly leads between student groups, university leadership, and engages at the city, state, and national levels of the AIA.  Anna serves as the Student Director on the AIA Illinois Board.

Alongside the AIAS Chapter, Anna worked on Project Yellow, a mentorship program allowing undergraduate students to introduce architecture and design to K-12 students, seeking to show students that architecture could be a pathway for anyone.

Anna is passionate about the public role of architecture in improving health, wellness and accessibility though design. We’re thrilled to see Sho-Ping’s legacy continue in Anna.