The Florida International University School of Architecture Department of Landscape Architecture + Environmental and Urban Design is proud to congratulate Samantha Fajardo, a Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA, 3-year track) student, on being selected as a recipient of the 2026 National Women in Landscape Architecture (WxLA) Scholarship. Samantha has been awarded a $2,000 scholarship in recognition of her academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to advancing the landscape architecture profession.
Samantha will be honored at the Annual WxLA Gala, sponsored by Perkins & Will, during the 2026 ASLA National Conference on Landscape Architecture in Los Angeles. There, she will be recognized alongside other outstanding scholarship recipients from across the country.
Throughout her time at FIU, Samantha has distinguished herself not only through her academic achievements but also through her exceptional leadership and service to the landscape architecture community. She served as Vice President of the FIU ASLA Student Chapter during the 2024–2025 academic year and as President during the 2025–2026 academic year, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting and strengthening the student organization.
Among her many contributions, Samantha spearheaded FIU ASLA’s inaugural Friendsgiving event, bringing together students from different cohorts to foster meaningful connections and build a stronger sense of community within the program. She also represented FIU and the profession by traveling twice to Tallahassee with the ASLA Florida Executive Committee, advocating for the advancement and recognition of landscape architecture at the state level.
Samantha’s national recognition reflects her dedication to academic excellence, servant leadership, and professional advocacy. The FIU Department of Landscape Architecture congratulates Samantha on this well-deserved honor and looks forward to celebrating her continued success as she represents FIU and the School of Architecture on the national stage.
