Linda Alfson Schemmel, a development coordinator with the city of West Des Moines, has been awarded the Louise Blanchard Bethune Fellowship from the American Institute of Architects. The fellowship was awarded to Schemmel during the AIA’s 2024 Governance Week for her service as Iowa’s AIA representative to the AIA Strategic Council from 2022 to 2024. According to a news release, during her service, Schemmel’s focus was to support the organization’s mission to inspire and empower architects to improve society by fostering diversity and inclusion in the profession, and advocating for the health, safety and welfare of communities through design and advocacy for “lasting solutions in our built environments.” In the news release, Schemmel said she is honored to receive the award and to have worked with a talented group of people. “Our collective efforts to advance internal and external equity in the design profession have been deeply meaningful and inspiring. Together, we have not only challenged the status quo but laid the groundwork for a more inclusive and equitable future.” According to the release, Schemmel has practiced architecture and planning for more than 30 years and has held leadership roles with AIA Iowa, Iowa’s Architectural Examining Board and National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.