Jim Barry serves as a part-time volunteer from his school with funding provided by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Washington-area architectural programs.

During his term, NASA publishes the first issue of LINE magazine, has representatives involved on AIA committees and hosts many interesting programs at the Octagon.

In his speech to the General Session of the AIA on April 22, 1960, he states, "The students have no desire to make this organization so large that it becomes completely out of hand."

Minutes of the meeting report that Culver and his fellow students take over the podium held by the AIA president and display their strength and solidarity in numbers.

Exhibiting unbridled energy, 1976–1977 team Jerry Compton (SCI-ARC) and Robert Rosenfeld (University of California, Berkeley) demonstrate creativity and clarity of vision.

Notable achievements include solidifying the ASC/AIA growing operations budget, holding the first design competition, publishing the magazine Telesis, and establishing student representation on the IDP Coordinating Committee.

These two officers start many current traditions of the organizations, including initiating the first ASC/AIA Chapter Honor Award and publishing the first issues of Crit.

To better prepare for the future, a special "Blue Ribbon" Task Force was formed in June 1982 to study the structure and operations of the organization.

In 1984, after a thorough self-examination, president Tom Fowler (New York Institute of Technology-Old Westbury) accepts the recommendations of the Special Task Force to review the structure of the organization.

Two significant position papers on architectural education deficiencies and degree nomenclature are also presented to the collateral organizations by AIAS leaders during this term.

Five national directors focus their endeavors on minority programs, affordable housing, women in architecture, community involvement and career options.

A new system of regional coordinators is also set into place, the AIAS Long Range Plan is developed into a finished document, and the Sustainability Declaration is finalized for adoption by the four other collateral organizations.

The AIAS enters the information highway with an e-mail address, involvement on the AIAOnline network, and develops of an all-electronic design competition.

The year 2002 sees the addition of two days to the Grassroots conference to focus on leadership education in collaboration with professionals from Georgetown University.

The AIAS also reaches its healthiest financial position at the time with a strong organizational reserve, new investment policies, and professional management.

With rapid changes in technology, this critical and anticipatory document highlighted issues relevant to the future education and practice of the profession.

2009 president JW Blanchard (Southern Polytechnic State University) focused on ensuring the legacy of Crit to continue as a valuable asset to the membership.

Strategic planning exercises started in 2006 are carried through to realize long discussed programs, policies, committees, and member benefits that will support growing professional needs of the membership.

Advocacy also shifts forward as a strategic priority of the organization with the introduction of the Federal Student Loans (National Design Services Act).

The following year, president Amelia Rosen (Carnegie Mellon University) creates a new strategic plan and establishes long-term goals for the organization.

Executive director Nick Serfass, CAE left the AIAS after years of dedicated service and is replaced by Karma Israelsen, MA.

Advocacy continues to be a major focus of the organization, and president Sarah Curry (Auburn University) publishes the AIAS' promise to communities of color.

Membership numbers and engagement drop significantly during the pandemic as universities implement online classes and global lockdowns are put in place.

During the second day of the virtual FORUM conference later that year, the deadly January 6 United States Capitol attack takes place mere blocks from the location of the AIAS office.

A new board liaison position is created for the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), and the AIAS begins to promote alternative career paths for graduates of architecture schools.

All events are still completely virtual through the year, with the exception of one in-person Quad Conference hosted by Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA. Larry H. Hoffer is hired as executive director in early 2022.

Organized by the four regions of the AIAS: Northeast, Midwest, South, and West, Quad conferences bring students together at nearby schools of architecture.

[6] Initially focused on just physical accessibility, the scope of Freedom by Design was expanded in 2017 to encompass a wider variety of student-driven projects.

In 2011 the organization began a Re:Branding effort led by president Nick Mancusci (Taliesin, The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture).

Arizona State University The AIAS National Board of Directors are students and recent graduates elected by members to serve the organization's highest office for a one-year term.