INDIANAPOLIS, IN — The leadership of Indianapolis-based Schmidt Associates, a regional architecture, engineering, and interior design firm, announces the appointments of Trisha Martin as an Architectural Graduate, and Melissa Ferise as a Construction Administration Assistant.

With dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in history and art history from the University of Iowa and dual master's degrees in architecture and historic preservation from Ball State University, Martin interned for the firm while completing her last year of architecture school. She is a former President of Associated Students for Historic Preservation and a founding member of Associated Graduate Students for Architecture and Design at Ball State University.

"I'm excited to continue my career with Schmidt Associates," Martin said. "I always wanted to be an architect, and I was inspired by my dad who worked in K-12 facilities. We would often walk around Columbus, Indiana, and I would identify issues with the historic architecture of schools. That gave me an appreciation and the realization that architecture truly is the manifestation of culture and community."

Martin will work on K-12, higher education, and community studio projects for the firm where she will demonstrate servant leadership by listening to the clients' needs and working with others to design spaces for end users.

Ferise, who refers to herself as a jack of multiple trades, holds a Bachelor of Arts in dance pedagogy from Butler University and has completed coursework toward a Master of Landscape Architecture. She most recently served as a performing arts secretary and dance teacher at Hamilton Southeastern High School.

"I'm happy to be part of the Schmidt Associates team where I can truly practice servant leadership," Ferise said. "By default, teachers are always servant leaders who mentor, earn trust and respect, and build confidence. This is what I hope to do for the Construction Administration Department and the firm's clients as we take projects from start to finish."

Ferise will be completing submittals for the firm and supporting the Construction Administration team through the project strategy, design, and construction phases.

"We're thrilled to have two strong women joining the Schmidt Associates family," said CEO and Principal Sarah Hempstead, AIA, LEED AP. "It's been a joy watching Trisha grow, and I truly look forward to seeing Melissa become an integral part of the firm as well."