SMMA is pleased to be recognized as a 2025-26 New England Emerging Professional Friendly Firm by the New England Chapter of AIA.
The announcement was made in October at the 2025 AIA New England Architecture Awards ceremony in Portsmouth, NH.
As defined by the AIA, the Emerging Professional Friendly Firm Program “aims to identify firm initiatives that promote the advancement of Emerging Professionals through professional development and personal growth opportunities. An Emerging Professional (EP) are those who have completed their academic studies up to the point of licensure or up to 10 years after completion of their academic studies.”

SMMA’s commitment to providing opportunities for young professionals is deeply rooted in the firm’s approach to work, learning, and mentorship. The firm provides numerous pathways for employees to connect with colleagues across disciplines and experience levels, from emerging professionals to senior leadership.
“We’re proud to offer a range of professional development opportunities that promote interdisciplinary relationship building and knowledge sharing, such as our annual Mentor-Protege Program,” says Mike Kyes, Architecture Department Lead.
“Young designers at SMMA can get involved in communities like the Rhino User Group and Computational Design Group. We’ve found that people benefit from focused learning environments where you can share your ideas and explore new technologies.”
SMMA’s employee-owned business structure, which empowers all team members to take an active role in their professional growth and mirrors the integrated dialogue reflected in project work.
The AIA’s recognition of SMMA as an Emerging Professional Friendly Firm reflects the firm's support for employee education and licensure. SMMA offers online and in-person training programs and provides reimbursement for examinations and materials.
“Having begun my career at SMMA as an intern in 2018, I have so much appreciation for the dynamic and cross-disciplinary opportunities that have been available to me.
Whether it’s my leadership role in the Emerging Professionals Group, working with our summer interns, or simply finding community within SMMA’s supportive culture, I continuously find new ways to get involved as my ambitions and interests evolve.”
- Maddie DeHaven, Architecture Team