Designing with Dignity: Jai Simpson's path toward architecture degree was shaped by adversity

Monday, January 5, 2026

Media Contact: Tanner Holubar | Communications Specialist | 405-744-2065 | tanner.holubar@okstate.edu

Jai Simpson’s path through the School of Architecture in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology at Oklahoma State University has been shaped by both personal loss and a sense of purpose.   

A senior from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Simpson lost his mother, Rahsha, to cancer on Oct. 2, 2021. Her diagnosis coincided with the start of his path in architecture, reshaping how he viewed his future, while his mother, even as her health worsened, urged him to remain committed to his dreams.   

He said this was a shift for him toward taking leaps of faith in areas he was unfamiliar with, which had terrified him before his mother’s diagnosis.   

“This learned behavior is something I wanted to stop within my family,” Simpson said. “I wanted better for my life, and my parents believed wholeheartedly that I could do it. When she was diagnosed, she encouraged me not to let her rapidly declining condition distract me from this new path.   

“Naturally, this was incredibly difficult. However, remembering her words of encouragement has gotten me through every obstacle since her passing. Her belief in my potential was unparalleled; it’s the anchor to my belief in many ways.”  

At around the same time he lost his mother, he was dealing with imposter syndrome as a student older than many of his peers. He said being an older transfer student made him feel like a fish out of water, especially as he navigated the course load required of architecture students.   

“What helped me overcome these adversities was empathizing with myself and also reminding myself constantly that it is OK to be new and not proficient at things — that is what learning is all about,” Simpson said. “In most ways, life has been great since overcoming these adversities.”  

Making his mark on the architecture field  

Being a minority in a field with limited peers has shaped Simpson’s personal goals. He wants to utilize his architectural expertise to demonstrate that there are endless opportunities for people to shape their communities, especially in areas where people believe their options are limited.   

“I want to tackle the housing crisis in America with sustainable, efficient and practical designs, while also exposing people within my community to various opportunities to change their lives,” Simpson said. “I believe our environment shapes who we become. I simply want to help design better environments so people can become better people.” 

This experience has profoundly shaped his philosophy of helping people, with empathy at its core. He believes the best architects are those who can genuinely understand what occupants need and want. This often includes identifying needs that people may not have been able to express.   

“As a person of color in architecture, I am acutely aware of how spaces can include or exclude,” Simpson said. “Growing up in communities where design decisions were made about people rather than with them has influenced how I approach my work today. It has taught me to listen first, question assumptions and design with dignity at the forefront. Empathy, to me, is not a soft skill; it is a responsibility that influences how I think about housing, public space, accessibility and equity in the built environment.”  

To help tackle the housing crisis, Simpson is drawn to designs that challenge traditional ideas of ownership, density and growth. One of the most influential architects to him is Alejandro Aravena, who designed homes in Chile that offered homeowners greater flexibility after construction.   

“Rather than creating ‘finished’ homes that were financially inaccessible, he focused on providing structure, infrastructure, and opportunity — allowing residents to complete and expand their homes over time,” Simpson said. “This approach feels especially relevant in the United States today, where affordability, zoning restrictions and inequitable development continue to limit access to housing.”  

Simpson believes this concept can be adapted to American cities by prioritizing flexibility, community input and long-term affordability over short-term profit. After obtaining his degree, he wants to live in a walkable city where density, public transportation and human-scale design are central.   

“Experiencing these systems firsthand will better prepare me to incorporate them into my work and, ultimately, to serve the communities that need them most,” he said.   

CEAT provides a supportive environment  

Simpson found many advisors and mentors within CEAT who helped him through his most challenging times.   

Yokolanda Speight, assistant director of student life for OSU, has been instrumental in connecting Simpson with others who would contribute to his success.   

“Before I even set foot on campus, Yoko was already connecting me to various organizations, scholarship opportunities and other individuals who believed in my potential,” Simpson said.   

Suzanne Bilbeisi, former head of the architecture program, was there for Simpson following his mother’s passing. Even though he was a new student, she made him feel like she had known him his entire life.   

He also mentioned numerous other individuals within the architecture program who have been foundational in shaping his career path.   

“I’d also have to give a huge thanks to Sarah Ra, a professor of mine and an advisor for the National Organization of Minority Architects organization,” Simpson said. “She is relentless regarding her service to all her students, and I am incredibly grateful to have her as a mentor and advisor.  

“Blake and Bailey Mitchell in the architecture program have been pivotal in my success as well! Not only in the academic realm but also in the professional space. They connected me to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity earlier this year, and I’ll be forever grateful for their recommendation and belief in my potential.”  

Focused on a prosperous future  

Facing adversity has shaped Simpson for the better. He now has “radical” trust in himself, his abilities and his potential.   

His time as a CEAT student has not only deepened his knowledge of architectural engineering but also taught him to trust himself and helped him get through some of the most challenging times he has faced.   

“If I can get through losing a parent at the beginning of a career change in one of the hardest majors there is, I think I can do just about anything I put my mind to,” Simpson said.   

Through perseverance, respect for others, and a commitment to doing what is right, Simpson’s experience shows he has answered the call of the Cowboy Code. He aims to build spaces rooted in integrity, empathy and purpose, making a positive impact on the world as he moves through his career.