Architecture graduate makes Clemson history, completing a fast track to licensure

This May, Cameron Sunkel will graduate from Clemson University’s Master of Architecture program and become the first student at Clemson to complete the Integrated Path to Architecture Licensure (IPAL) program. Becoming an IPAL Graduate is a feat only ever accomplished by 41 other individuals nationwide.

The IPAL program, developed by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), offers students an accelerated pathway to completing the three key components of licensure, education, experience and examination, while still enrolled in school. For Sunkel, it was a way to fast-track a career he’s long been passionate about.

“Traditionally, the process to licensure can take roughly 13 years,” said Sunkel. “Through IPAL, I was able to complete the necessary education and examination requirements in just three.”

He credits the program’s structure and Clemson’s commitment to sustainability and community-based design for pushing him forward. Studio experiences such as Lecturer Rayshad Dorsey’s “It Takes a Village” and Associate Professor Dustin Albright’s “At Home in the Upstate” shaped his understanding of architecture as a social and ethical responsibility, not just a professional pursuit.

“These studios were centered around architectural exploration through community development and addressing practical problems faced by local communities,” Sunkel said. “They provided students with a unique perspective on architecture from a communal standpoint, an opportunity not always available in other academic settings.”

Becoming Clemson’s first IPAL Graduate was not without challenges. Balancing rigorous studio demands with preparation for the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) required extreme discipline and time management. But one day stands out as the culmination of it all: September 18, 2023.

 “I was not nervous going into my final ARE exam. However, as I finished and clicked the ‘view potential score’ button in the testing center, emotions flooded in,” Sunkel recalled. “When I saw the ‘likely to pass’ message on my screen, I was overwhelmed with disbelief and joy. I rushed out of the testing center to call my family and hurried back to school to share the exciting news with everyone. The overwhelming outpouring of encouragement and support from my classmates truly made the moment unforgettable.”

Sunkel’s path to architecture began with a high school internship at Proffitt and Associates in Frederick, Maryland, followed by summer internships during his undergraduate studies in interior design. Before pursuing his master’s degree, he worked full-time at SCM Architects in Fayetteville, Arkansas. During graduate school, he interned with HGA Architects in Washington, D.C., experiences he describes as foundational to his growth as a designer.

“These firms helped mold and craft me into the designer I am today,” Sunkel shared. “I’ve been very blessed to have the opportunity to work with each one.”

After graduation, he’ll continue his architectural journey with Gensler in Charlotte as a technical designer, after a well-earned three-week trip through Southeast Asia to explore the architectural marvels of Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Sunkel hopes his achievement opens doors for others and raises the bar for what Clemson’s IPAL students can achieve.

“I hope my story will inspire and challenge the Clemson IPAL cohorts to set ambitious goals and strive to pass all six ARE exams before they graduate,” he said. “If I can do it, so can you!”

As Clemson’s first IPAL graduate, Cameron Sunkel is more than a trailblazer; he’s a testament to what’s possible when vision, opportunity and determination meet.