Mesa College Architecture Program Helps Young High School Student Move Toward His Dream

Update July 18, 2024

Sometimes, you hear a story that makes you want to know more. Kevin Gonzalez has such a story.

The last time this story was updated, San Diego Mesa College student Kevin Gonzalez was a 15 year-old heading off to Massachusetts to complete his high school education. In the ensuing years, he has travelled to the other side of the world, built houses, but remained in close contact with his Mesa College professors and connections he made while on campus.

For the past three years, Kevin has spent most of his time at Deerfield Academy, a private school in northwestern Massachusetts that served as the setting of the Oscar-winning movie “The Holdovers.” He began his journey there when, in ninth grade, Kevin made it his mission to work towards creating affordable housing for all.

Kevin’s experience at the liberal arts academy has been life-changing. “Before attending Deerfield Academy, I was mainly interested in modern contemporary architecture, but my teacher there, Mr. Payne, inspired me to go to Prague and study art and architecture for a month.”

Kevin also traveled with Deerfield Academy to the Dominican Republic. During the 10-day expedition with 15 other students, they built a home.

“This had a significant impact on my architectural journey,” he said. “Experiencing my vision of affordable housing coming to life, and being part of it, was a dream come true.”

Kevin attributes much of his success to his time at Mesa College.

 “[Mesa College Professor] Ian Kay was the first person to believe in my passion for architecture. He allowed me to take my first architecture course at Mesa in the summer of 2020, while I was still a high school student.” Kevin said.

Through Ian, Kevin was introduced to Mel McGee, an Architect and former adjunct instructor at Mesa College. After leaving teaching, Mel stayed involved with the Architecture Department Advisory Committee. In addition, he has hired several student interns at his firm, McGee Sharon Architects.

“Mel had never considered hiring someone so young,” Ian said. Still, after working with Mel to design an internship for Kevin during the summer before his departure for Deerfield, “[Mel] went ahead and hired Kevin. It is highly unusual for someone in 10th grade to get hired into an architect’s office.  It just doesn’t happen.”  

After Kevin’s initial internship, Ian assumed the experience would be a one-time opportunity. However, Mel and Kevin stayed in touch, and Mel continued to hire him during his summer breaks which is exactly what he’s doing this summer.  

Kevin, now 18 years old, will soon begin studying architecture at the University of Michigan with a four-year, full-ride merit scholarship and a head-start thanks to his experience at Mesa College.

 “Kevin is an amazing young person,” Ian said. “I believe he will excel on whatever path his journey takes him.”

Kevin Gonzalez and Professor Ian Kay at the Mesa College Architecture & Environmental Design Department's Fabrication Lab with Luis Surez, director of the Fabrication Lab in Summer 2024

 

Original Article June 2, 2021

It’s not common that a 13-year-old makes a declaration about his future career. In the case of Kevin Gonzalez, that’s exactly what happened. 

 

As a 9^th grader at Gompers Preparatory Academy, Kevin was walking home after school and upon entering the gates of El Rey Trailer Plaza where he lives, he wondered, “Why do I live in such a poor community, trailer homes torn apart, cracks in the streets? Why can’t everyone have a nice place to live? That was the moment I realized my mission is to design affordable homes for everyone.”

 

The next day, Kevin approached his teacher/mentor at Gompers Preparatory Academy, Sean Bentz, and asked if there was somewhere he could enroll in architecture courses while in high school.  Sean contacted Ian Kay, then Chairperson of the Architecture and Environmental Design Department at Mesa College.  Ian arranged for Kevin to enroll in one course, Materials of Construction in the Summer of 2020.  After entering 10th grade, Kevin took two more courses in the Fall of 2020, Revit and Introduction to Architecture.  In the Spring of 2021, he took two courses; AutoCAD and Construction Plan Reading. 

 

Sean Bentz was also helping Kevin apply to a well-known college preparatory high school on the east coast, Deerfield Academy.  Kevin was recently accepted with a full three-year scholarship and will start classes in September 2021.  Deerfield Academy, in addition to regular high school coursework, offers an Architecture Program within the curriculum. 

 

Another of Kevin's goals, before leaving in September, was to spend time in an architect's office.  Ian Kay contacted local architect, Mel McGee, who previously taught as an adjunct at Mesa College and is currently on the Architecture Program Advisory Committee. Over the years, Mel has hired many of Mesa’s architecture students to work in his firm.  Kevin is now an intern in Mel’s office two days a week until he leaves for Deerfield.

 

Helping a young person realize their dreams is the goal of every great teacher.  Sometimes, it takes a village.

 

Learn about Mesa College’s Architecture program. 

Learn about Dual Enrollment and High School Resources.

Tags: Architecture, Deerfield Academy, Kevin Gonzalez, Faculty, Mel McGee