Applications are open! Apply by February 21, 2027, 11:59pm Pacific Time.

Hermann Colas, Jr. Legacy Scholarship

$5,000 scholarship for Black and Latin(x) undergraduate students pursuing a 4-year degree in construction management, engineering, or architecture at an Oregon community college or university.

The Hermann Colas, Jr. Legacy Scholarship was established in 2023 in partnership with the National Association of Minority Contractors, Oregon chapter (NAMC-Oregon). The annual award honors the legacy of Hermann Colas, Jr., founder of Colas Construction (COLAS), a general contracting firm headquartered in Portland.

Hermann, a Haitian-born distinguished scholar, civic, and business leader, has dedicated his life’s work to strengthening communities. He founded COLAS with a vision to address the underinvestment in housing for communities of color residing in North and Northeast Portland. Today, COLAS is nationally and locally recognized for delivering excellence in construction for a diverse scope of housing, education, civic, and healthcare projects.

Inspired by Hermann’s leadership and legacy, this scholarship provides underrepresented students in pursuit of undergraduate degrees in construction management, engineering, or architecture, with financial support that leads to increased diversity in the local build community. Strong candidates include those wanting to positively impact communities through building and design professions, furthering Hermann’s legacy.

Awardees are invited to build relationships with NAMC-Oregon and AFO’s community of building and design professionals and will receive opportunities for career support and mentorship.

Eligibility & Requirements

Eligibility for 2027 Award

- Identify as Black and/or Latin(x)
- Incoming freshman or current undergraduate student pursuing a 4-year degree, enrolled in an Oregon community college or university for the 2027-28 school year
- Pursuing a degree in construction management, engineering, or architecture
- Desire to make a positive impact within the built community

Application Requirements

Please submit the following through our AFO Scholarship application form:

500-word (maximum) essay: Describe why equity and inclusion in design and construction is important to you, and how you aspire to use your degree to effect positive change within the built community.
Work sample: Select a project from your coursework or extracurricular/field experience that you are proud of. We welcome work from across all three disciplines, whether it highlights creative design, technical engineering, or construction management. Your sample can include a mix of images, design graphics, technical drawings, project schedules, site photos, data visualizations, or written reports. If possible, we encourage you to feature a project that highlights a positive community impact on the built environment.
- Submit your work sample as a PDF (maximum 20 MB and 3 pages).
- Process images, iterative sketches, and other evidence of design thinking or project development are encouraged.
- Include a maximum 300-word narrative explaining your project. Address the following:
  - Core Challenge: What problem, design brief, or technical constraint were you trying to solve?
  - Impact & Significance: What was the outcome of the project, and why is it significant to the future of the architecture, engineering, or construction industry?
  - Context: Was the project a class assignment, personal project, or other? Was it completed individually or in a group? If it was a group project, clearly define your specific role and contributions.
Financial Overview
- What is your estimated cost of attendance per school year?
- Are you paying for in-state or out-of-state tuition?
- Please list any scholarships or financial assistance you expect to receive during the 2027-28 school year (outside of your financial aid package) including the award amount and the date you will receive the support.
If you are selected as a finalist, you will be asked to schedule an in-person or virtual interview with NAMC-Oregon and COLAS leaders.

Applicants are highly encouraged to sign up for Office Hours or contact Candice Agahan (candice@af-oregon.org, 503-542-3823) with any questions about application requirements and expectations. Our staff is here to serve as a resource as you navigate the application process.

If you are not able to submit your application electronically, please print and mail it to AFO, Attn: Candice Agahan, PO Box 40230, Portland, OR 97240. We will accept mailed applications postmarked by the deadline.

Selection Criteria

Join AFO at a workshop or sign up for Office Hours to learn more about how to prepare a successful application. See more information below.

Candidate weaves their story and aspirations throughout their entire application
Candidate expresses a compelling present or future aspiration/vision
Candidate expresses a desire to make a positive impact within the built community
Candidate shows commitment to equity and inclusion in construction and design
Candidate aligns with NAMC-Oregon and COLAS‘s values and hopes for the future of the profession

The criteria for AFO Scholarships include consideration for need, although need is not a prerequisite. Previous applicants who have not received an award are welcomed and encouraged to reapply.

Award Notification

Applications are evaluated by a committee of AFO and NAMC-Oregon representatives. Applicants will be notified of the selection committee’s decision in April.

Scholarship recipients are asked to attend our annual Building Pathways showcase to receive their awards in the Spring. The event is attended by members of the architecture, engineering, construction, and design community from across the state and celebrates the hard work and accomplishments of our Scholars.

Apply Now

Application Deadline: Sunday, February 21, 2027, 11:59pm Pacific Time

Questions?

Contact:
Candice Agahan
Director of Community Engagement
candice@af-oregon.org
503-542-3823

Workshops & Resources

Office Hours

Do you have questions about eligibility, application requirements, or something else? Would you like feedback on your application essay, portfolio, or work samples? We encourage you to book an Office Hour meeting with us! Office Hours are scheduled 30-minute video conference meetings with an AFO staff or committee member who will help answer your questions.

2027 NOMA PDX + AFO Workshops

In partnership with NOMA PDX, we host portfolio and resume/cover letter workshops for architecture students seeking feedback and tips. Subscribe to our newsletter to get updated when registration is live, and save the dates!

Architecture Portfolio Workshop: Tuesday, January 19, 5:00-6:30pm, virtual
Architecture Portfolio Workshop: Tuesday, January 26, 5:00-7:00, in-person (Portland location TBA)
Resume & Cover Letter Workshop: Tuesday, February 16, 5:00-6:30pm, virtual