Category Archives: Spotlight: Alumni

From the early days of a growing academic program to leading a successful national consulting firm, Saad Ilyas (M.Arch, 1999) has built a career defined by curiosity, adaptability, and leadership in complex infrastructure projects.

After graduating, Saad launched his professional journey with a project management firm in San Diego, where he quickly developed expertise as a Project and Program Manager. Focusing on aviation and transit programs, he gained hands-on experience navigating large-scale, high-impact initiatives. Over time, his entrepreneurial vision took shape, leading him to establish his own firm. Today, Saad serves as President and CEO of a San Diego–based project management consulting company, delivering services nationwide across aviation, transit, and education sectors.

Reflecting on his time as a student in the late 1990s, Saad remembers a program that was still in its formative years—but that was exactly what drew him in. “The school was in its infancy stage, and it was nimble and flexible in its approach to design and career development,” he shares. That dynamic environment, combined with the influence of dedicated faculty such as Mitra Kanaani, Kurt Hunker, Dean Stepner, and Richard Brock, helped shape his perspective and professional path.

Saad credits much of his success to a mindset he developed early on and continues to live by today: stay curious and proactive. His advice to current students and emerging professionals is simple but powerful:
“Always stay inquisitive, ask plenty of questions, and start your education with networking at all times.”

Through his leadership and continued contributions to the industry, Saad exemplifies the impact of blending technical knowledge with curiosity and strong professional relationships—values that remain at the heart of a successful career.

Sofia Medina is a 2022 graduate of NewSchool of Architecture & Design, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management with a minor in Interior Design.

She currently works as an Assistant Project Manager with Swinerton Builders in the San Diego Healthcare Division. Sofia chose NewSchool after receiving a recommendation from a construction industry professional and was immediately drawn to the program’s strong industry connections. The professors’ firsthand experience and active professional networks played a defining role in her education, providing real-world insight, practical skills, and meaningful mentorship that prepared her for the demands of construction management.

Sofia encourages current and prospective students to stay open-minded, ask questions, and fully embrace learning opportunities, noting that the collective knowledge of peers, professors, and industry professionals can be a powerful catalyst for growth.

Alumn Cesar Tran is an architectural designer with professional experience spanning education, healthcare, and federal projects across Southern California. He is currently advancing toward architectural licensure and serves as a co-lead for the Sustainability Action Plan at Architects Mosher Drew, where he contributes to firm-wide initiatives focused on environmental responsibility and long-term design performance. 

Cesar’s commitment to the profession extends beyond practice through his active involvement in mentorship and leadership. He serves as Vice President of the Alumni Board of Directors for NewSchool of Architecture and Design and is an ACE Mentor, where he supports and guides high school students exploring careers in architecture, construction, and engineering. He earned his Master of Architecture (4+3) from NewSchool of Architecture and Design in 2022. 

Grounded in a human-centered design approach, Cesar has also applied his architectural training to the technology sector, contributing to product development for early-stage web and mobile application startups through user experience and interface design. He aspires to continue expanding his skills across adjacent design disciplines, including product design, to gain a deeper understanding of how the built environment and everyday objects are conceived and realized. 

Outside of his professional pursuits, Cesar enjoys traveling to study diverse built environments, staying active, and engaging in creative hobbies that further broaden his perspective as a designer.