Leslie Ponce-Díaz
Harvard GSD MArch II

¡Hola!
I am a first-generation and Mexican-American graduate of Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) with a Bachelors of Architecture (BArch, Accredited) and double-minors in Nature Sustainability and Latin American Cultural Studies. During my studies at RISD, my final architecture thesis titled, Rasquachismo, was awarded the 2023 RISD Architecture Thesis Prize.
I am currently pursuing a Masters in Architecture II (Post-Professional) at Harvard University Graduate School of Design as a Dean's Merit Scholar. I have previously worked with Sweet Water Foundation, Studio Gang and currently serving as a FORAship Fellow with Architects FORA. |
I enjoy mentoring first-generation youth by utilizing my passions in architecture, community and public service within my community organization, First-Gen Chisme.
Beyond work, I enjoy making Mexican beaded jewelry and playing soccer with my family!
Contact me at leslieponcediaz@gsd.harvard.edu, resume and portfolio available upon request.
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“Leslie’s investment in first-generation college communities has been absolute and firm since her arrival to RISD campus. Whether quickly doing work in her own way, leading online forums or making public presentations and workshops, she has left a lasting legacy to RISD. Not because she has ever been compelled to, but rather because she is deeply and earnestly caring about the multiple communities she serves.”
- Tony Johnson,
Associate Dean,
Social Equity & Inclusion at RISD
First-Generation Legacy Building Award Recipient / 2023
“As a first-generation Mexican American college student, 2017 and 2019 Live Más Scholar Leslie Ponce-Díaz is pursuing her passion for art and design, while building community, embracing her culture, and encouraging other students to do the same. Leslie is no stranger to taking leaps and embarked on a journey from her home state of Kansas to Rhode Island where she studies architecture, coupled with sustainability and art history at Rhode Island School of Design. In the architectural world of grey, Leslie does not shy away from color, illuminating any room she walks into.”
- Live Más Taco Bell Foundation
Scholar Stories / 2021
“Leslie works daily to inject her creative energies and unwavering idealism into projects both on and off campus that address issues of equity, inclusion, community-building and social impact. A first-generation college student studying Architecture with a double concentration in Nature Culture Sustainability Studies and History, Philosophy and the Social Sciences at RISD, since stepping on to campus she has actively sought out involvement in local and global community engagement opportunities, understanding it as a vital way to strengthen and expand her academically grounded practice.”
- Former RISD President Rosanne Somerson
In nomination for Newman Civic Fellowship
/ 2021
Featured Articles:
AIA Kansas City Young Architects Forum (YAF)
Monsters of Design - First Place Finalist
/
2023
AIA Kansas City Architectural Foundation /
2023
RISD Research SPUR Fund
/
2023
RISD Convocation Student Speaker
/
2023
RISD Alumni Momentum
/
2022
Sweet Water Foundation
/
2022
Truman Scholarship Finalist
/
2022
Kansas City Beacon Media
/
2021
Kansas City Dos Mundos Bilingual Newspaper
/
2021
RISD Maharam Fellowship Blog Posts
/
2021
RISD Maharam Fellowship
/
2021
Rhode Island Inno - BizJournals
/
2021
Brown University B-Lab Venture Accelerator
/
2021
Newman Civic Fellowship
/
2021
Taco Bell Live Más Scholar Stories
/
2021
RISD Election
/
2020
AIA Kansas City Young Architects Forum (YAF)
Monsters of Design - First Place Finalist / 2023
AIA Kansas City Architectural Foundation / 2023
RISD Research SPUR Fund / 2023
RISD Alumni Momentum / 2022
Sweet Water Foundation / 2022
Truman Scholarship Finalist / 2022
Kansas City Beacon Media / 2021
Kansas City Dos Mundos Bilingual Newspaper / 2021
RISD Maharam Fellowship Blog Posts / 2021
RISD Maharam Fellowship / 2021
Rhode Island Inno - BizJournals / 2021
Brown University B-Lab Venture Accelerator / 2021
Newman Civic Fellowship / 2021
Taco Bell Live Más Scholar Stories / 2021
RISD Election / 2020