The Student Environmental Design Association (SEDA) is the umbrella student organization in the department. The mission of SEDA is to encourage excellence in the practice of design, assist members to professionally serve the public, demonstrate the value of the profession and create a favorable environment for the practice of design.
These goals are pursued through monthly meetings, including activities such as field trips, speakers and workshops. The organization participates in Habitat for Humanity builds, and other community projects. They visit a large city within the United States each year for the purpose of viewing architecture and touring architecture firms. Past trips include Chicago, New York City, Seattle, and Los Angeles. Other events include: CANstruction, Mizzou Homecoming, Shryocks Hayride & Bonfire, BARKitecture, Kansas City Trip, St. Louis Architecture Tour, AIA Convention in Washington, DC, Tour of Columbia’s Landfill and City Hall, Boston Architectural Trip, YELANTS Dance Marathon Team, Visit to Nick Peckham’s Farm, Extreme Makeover Home Edition-Joplin.
SEDA provides members with opportunities to interact with professionals and learn more about their prospective profession. The student organization has the benefit of being affiliated with the national organization, thus providing access to scholarships.
Students are encouraged to join at least one student chapter of a national organization as well. For example, students may join the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), American Institute of Architects (AIAS), the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), and the U. S. Green Building Council. For further information on these organizations, see: