Leslie Ponce-Diaz (MArch ’25) has been selected as a 2026–2027 Henry Luce Scholar. Established in 1974, the Henry Luce Scholars Program is a competitive leadership development fellowship that provides emerging leaders with immersive yearlong professional experiences in Asia to deepen cross-cultural understanding and strengthen global connections.
A first-generation Mexican-American architectural designer, Ponce-Diaz centers her work on educational architecture, regenerative design, and cultural heritage. While studying at the GSD, Ponce-Diaz was awarded the Dean’s Merit Scholarship and named a Paul & Daisy Soros Fellow. Upon graduation, she received the Rafael Moneo Rome Prize to pursue architecture research in Rome, Italy. Ponce-Diaz is currently a 2025–26 Princeton | Chicago Architecture Center Fellow, designing an educational and ecological sanctuary for migrant youth in Chicago.
“The 2026–2027 Luce Scholars will bring their skills and interests into communities across Asia,” said Jonathan Holloway, President and CEO, Henry Luce Foundation. “And what they bring back—deeper understanding and a richer sense of our shared humanity—will matter. Not just for them, but for all of us working toward a more just and democratic world. I am honored to welcome them into the Luce community.”
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