Vivian Pelayo learned early in life what compassion looked like. Her mother, a teacher, taught her to never pass someone in need without offering help – a lesson that stayed with Pelayo and shaped her career aspirations.
Now, as a Master of Architecture student at Arizona State University, Pelayo is channeling that upbringing into a mission to design temporary shelters and equitable spaces for under-resourced communities across the Valley.
Pelayo is a 2025 recipient of the Fiesta Sports Foundation Empowering Diversity Scholarship presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, an award that supports students from diverse backgrounds in their post-secondary education journey. In addition to easing financial strain for Pelayo, the scholarship underscores the importance of being uplifted by an organization like Fiesta Sports Foundation.
"I was beyond grateful," she said. "It's an honor to be recognized by a program that supports voices from different backgrounds."
Pelayo's interest in architecture began as a child. Her mother often brought home children's books about engineering, medicine and design, with a small paper book on design that shaped her future.
"I was seven or eight, super young… and I was like, 'I want to be that,'" she said. "And now I'm in my master's program, and I'm doing it."
Growing up in Phoenix, Pelayo recalls many experiences seeing homelessness in her community. Infused with the values her mother imparted, Pelayo's desire to use architecture to help others began to take shape.
"My end goal is to design temporary shelters in the Valley," she said. "It's to help people."
Attending ASU to pursue architecture, which typically requires a graduate degree for full licensure, was an easy decision. Pelayo was part of the university's Leadership Scholarship Program and comes from a long line of Sun Devils — her mother, sister and uncles all graduated from ASU.
"Definitely a Sun Devils family. I wouldn't want to go anywhere else," she said.
The Empowering Diversity Scholarship has allowed Pelayo to focus more fully on her education and internships. Graduate financial aid, she said, is scarce.
"It took off the pressure and the stress of having to think about going to earn my master's degree without really having any financial support,'" she said. "It helped me have a lot more time for studies, a lot more time for internships and less overall stress."
Pelayo is an active member of the American Institute of Architects and the National Organization of Minority Architects Students (NOMAS). She's also an engaged member of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley's AZYouthforce program, a workforce development and career pathways initiative for young adults.
She has served in multiple leadership roles, crediting these organizations for mentorship, connections and her first internship.
As she continues to build her resume, Pelayo said she hopes to see more women of color enter the field.
"I definitely would like to see more people who look like me in these rooms," she said. "Even though it's 2025, we still have to stick together."
After completing her master's program, Pelayo plans to pursue licensure — a rigorous process requiring thousands of training hours and six exams. In the long term, she hopes to gain experience at firms specializing in temporary housing, construction and sustainability before eventually starting her own architecture firm.
For students seeking their own path, Pelayo offers encouragement born from experience. As a high school senior, she applied for more than 150 scholarships before receiving her first award in late March.
"Never get discouraged with application season," she said. "It might be that one application that changes the game."
Today, she said she's proud to represent the Empowering Diversity Scholarship class and grateful for the support behind her.
"Thank you to the people at Fiesta Sports Foundation and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona for believing in us," she said. "It has been truly life-changing."
Applications for the 2026-27 iteration of the Empowering Diversity Scholarship will open this spring. For more information, click here.
