From Athlete to Designer: A Global Path Toward Architecture
Entering her senior year at Northwestern, Tama Sundstrom realized something surprising: none of her coursework, fascinating as it was, pointed toward a career she wanted. But her life outside the classroom told a different story.
A World of Inspiration
As a competitive speedskater, Tama had traveled the world, circling the globe many times over. Every country offered new architecture, new materials, new approaches to living. She absorbed it all—quietly, instinctively—building a mental library of ideas. The more she traveled, the more her interest in home design deepened. A plan began to take shape.
Choosing a Hands-On Education
After retiring from skating, Tama wanted to pursue architecture and design near the Olympic Oval in Milwaukee. Two programs stood out: the University of Wisconsin’s well-known architecture school and the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD). MIAD won her over with its small size, hands-on studio focus, and faculty made up almost entirely of working professionals. It was a place where students learned not just theory, but real-world practice.
Her admission portfolio included graph-paper designs and a lavish home model built out of cardboard cereal boxes—a charming but earnest start to a serious career.
Building a Career Around Real-World Design
Because Tama was still traveling extensively, she could only attend school in the spring and occasional summer. Fortunately, USOC Tuition Assistance grants and renewable scholarships covered almost all her costs. The extended timeline didn’t matter. The education was rigorous, mind-expanding, and exactly what she hoped for.
She saw several of her class projects built on campus. She learned from architects who were actively shaping Milwaukee’s future. And she discovered that design wasn’t just about creativity—it was about solving problems, understanding people, and shaping environments that supported real lives.
