For Cole Rozwadowski, a fourth-year Architecture and Public Arts Pathway student, the core of public service is “walking alongside others.” Originally from Culpeper, Virginia, Cole chose to attend UVA not only for its competitive Architecture program, but also because UVA stood out as a school that deeply valued the development of citizen leaders with a desire to give back to the community. In his first year, which also happened to be Public Service Pathways’ inaugural year, Cole joined Public Service Pathways to engage with the citizen scholarship that initially drew him to UVA. Cole’s dedication recently led to him being selected as the 2025 UVA Arts Council Distinguished Artist Award recipient in Architecture.

Since his first year, Cole has served as a dedicated member of Pathways, joining the Student Advisory Council and helping develop the Public Arts Pathway, which centers on the power of art to spark dialogue and positive change in communities. Although some may not immediately connect architecture with public service, one of the core goals of the Pathways program is to inspire students to look beyond the conventional definitions of public service, allowing them to learn how any passion and major can be used for good.  “Public Arts is a lens through which we can view the other service-related topics and pathways,” Cole shared. “I view architecture as a public art; it has a responsibility to somehow further the quality of life and experience that people have in a space.”

“I view architecture as a public art; it has a responsibility to somehow further the quality of life and experience that people have in a space”

This past summer, Cole had the opportunity to further explore the public good of architecture when he interned with Mississippi State University’s Gulf Coast Community Design studio. The goal was to develop a resilient housing planning guidebook for officials to use in conversations about how municipalities can ethically engage with and include the communities they serve and how to ensure resilience through an uncertain future, especially in the face of an unpredictable climate. A key element of the project involved collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure the guidebook was genuine and sustainable. Upon further reflection at the conclusion of the internship, Cole realized how many of the PSP program competencies had played a meaningful role in his work, particularly Community Context and Civic Identity.

After Cole graduates in May 2026, he plans to continue practicing architecture as a public artist, applying the public service competencies to work that has a positive impact on his community.