Munay Prep Instructors Present at Cornell AAP
The event concluded with a panel discussion with the director of the career development and a Q&A session, where students engaged with the speakers on topics ranging from balancing creativity with practical constraints, to navigating international job markets in architecture, urban design, and real estate.
The three speakers, who are also close friends, come together to speak about their own career trajectories and how they come together to work their practice called MunayPrep, an initiative dedicated to providing design education and helping students build a portfolio for applying to design programs at universities around the world.
Their shared vision, technical expertise and mentorship play a key role in MunayPrep. The driving force behind this initiative is bringing together the passion for design and the power of mentorship.
Having gained expertise at prestigious firms, they have developed a deep understanding of design theory, practice, and pedagogy. Their strength lies in design ideation and theoretical underpinnings, making them the perfect guide for helping students develop creative approaches and clear narratives in their portfolio.
Isaac Tejeira is an architectural and urban designer and the co-founder of Munay Prep. He has experience on renowned projects in China, New York, Boston, Paris, and Jakarta. His fascination with culture, hospitality, art, and design began early. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University, where he received the Eidlitz Travel Fellowship, and a Master of Architecture in Urban Design from Harvard University, where he researched urbanism and real estate.
Erin Soygenis is a project manager based in New York with over 4 years of experience in architectural and urban design, real estate, and project management across residential, commercial, and institutional sectors. She holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Cornell University and a Master’s degree in Urban Design from Harvard University. Currently, Erin works at Cumming Group as a project manager and is the co-founder of Munay Prep.
Shovan Shah is an architect and urban designer who grew up in Mumbai. He graduated from Harvard Graduate School of Design with a Master of Architecture in Urban Design with a concentration in Real Estate, where he was honored as a Dean’s Merit Scholar. Shovan also earned a Master of Architecture II from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Mumbai. He is particularly drawn to community-driven design processes and environmentally sustainable projects.
MunayPrep is the culmination of the shared experiences, skills, and friendship. Their collective mission is to democratize access to design education and help aspiring architects, planners and designers build strong portfolios that reflect their individual strengths. They combine their expertise in design theory, technical proficiency, and mentorship to offer a well-rounded educational experience.
The practice offers:
- Workshops and Masterclasses: Focused on key design skills, software, and conceptual thinking.
- Portfolio Review Sessions: Personalized feedback on student portfolios to enhance their chances of admission to top schools.
- Mentorship Programs: Ongoing guidance, helping students prepare for interviews, build connections, and navigate the design education landscape.
Through MunayPrep, these three Cornell AAP alumni are pushing forward the mentorship and education they received, helping a new generation of designers succeed in competitive design fields.