Carole J. Olshavsky facts for kids

Carole J. Olshavsky is an American architect. She used to be the state architect for Ohio. She also won the Thomas Jefferson Award in 2014 from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). This award is for people who do great work in public architecture.

Carole Olshavsky is special because she is the only woman to have been the state architect for Ohio. She was also the first woman to receive the Ohio Gold Medal from the American Institute of Architects. This is the highest honor given by AIA Ohio.

Early Life and Career

Carole Olshavsky studied at Kent State University. She earned her license to practice architecture in 1973. Two years later, in 1975, she started her own architecture company in Ohio with her husband, Donald Olshavsky.

State Architect of Ohio

In 1985, Carole Olshavsky was chosen to be the state architect for Ohio. She held this important job until 1988. During her time as state architect, she helped manage many big building projects.

Some of these projects included:

• The construction of the Wexner Center for the Arts.
• The National Inventors Hall of Fame at the University of Akron.

She also helped create new state laws. These laws made sure that building contracts were given based on the best design ideas, not just the cheapest price. This was a big step for quality in public buildings.

After being state architect, from 1988 to 1991, Olshavsky worked as a deputy director in Ohio's Department of Public Works. In 1991, she went back to working in private architecture firms.

Improving Schools

In 2003, Carole Olshavsky returned to public service. She became a senior executive for capital improvements at Columbus City Schools. At that time, Columbus City Schools had 116 schools, including 16 high schools.

She led a huge project to rebuild and improve schools. This project lasted 15 years and cost $1.3 billion. Her work helped create better learning spaces for many students.

Current Roles

As of 2015, Carole Olshavsky holds several important positions. She is the president of the Architects Society of Ohio. She also chairs the AIA Committee on Public Architecture. She has served as an AIA regional director and national vice president. She is also a chancellor for the AIA College of Fellows.

See also

In Spanish: Carole J. Olshavsky para niños