While celebrating our 80th anniversary this year, we were reminded that honoring our past is essential and understanding how that legacy shapes what comes next is equally important. This issue of DIMENSION explores that connection, examining the influence of history, the emergence of new ideas, and the path we are charting forward, including the launch of our historic preservation and cultural sustainability initiative.

Emine Canak (M.Arch. '16) has always been passionate about how spaces shape human experiences. Now the founder and principal designer of E Plus Interiors, her design philosophy is to create soulful, thoughtful spaces that reflect her clients. To students, she advises, "Go beyond studio walls, socialize, attend events, and connect with creative minds. Design is how you see and respond to the world."

On May 8, the University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design celebrated the Class of 2025 – 195 graduates whose academic experience is defined by resilience and adaptability. Many of these students started their academic journeys under unexpected circumstances at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging stronger and more prepared to tackle the demands of their future professional careers. As they close this transformative chapter, several graduates reflect on their unique experiences, offering insight and inspiration to those who follow in their footsteps.