Major: Architecture
Shortly after finishing his bachelor’s degree in communications, Brian Henks began exploring a different career path.
“I enjoy solving complex problems and working with my hands, and I wanted a career where I could make a difference,” he said. “Architecture, particularly health care architecture, allowed me to realize those goals.”
Henks turned to College of DuPage and found a hands-on Architecture program that allowed him to explore his newfound interest.
Adult Student Admissions at COD
“COD provided a local, affordable option to take evening classes so that I could work and explore a career change,” he said. “The Architecture program allowed me to grow my skills in architectural design on my terms.”After leaving COD, Henks gained experience working for several years as a drafter and project manager for a window restoration company. He then entered the master’s degree program for architecture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he developed a passion for health care design and focused his education on medical planning and design.
“Medical planning is a particular branch of health care architecture that focuses on synthesizing the clients’ goals, patient and staff well-being, code requirements, and the cost and schedule limitations of the project into a unified whole,” he said.
Henks currently works at Hoefer Welker, where he found employment after completing his master’s degree. In 2020, after his mentor left the firm, he assumed the responsibilities as a medical planner for his firm’s branch.
COD provided a local, affordable option to take evening classes so that I could work and explore a career change.
Brian Henks
In 2022, he was nominated by his firm and selected for Healthcare Design Magazine’s Rising Star award, which recognizes up to 10 individuals each year. Honorees must be less than 10 years into their careers and have made significant contributions to the health care design field.
“I plan to continue my career as a medical planner, mentoring future generations of health care architects and medical planners,” he said. “I hope to contribute to greater literacy in the various code requirements and functional considerations that go into the design of health care facilities.”
He thanks COD and the professors for preparing him for success in a new career.
“If you are interested in licensure as an architect, an NAAB (National Architecture Accrediting Board)-accredited degree is an absolute must, and COD is a great option to complete some of the early coursework for those programs,” he said. “Work with the great staff at COD to plan your career path early. For those like me with a degree that is not in architecture, COD is a wonderful place to explore your interests and grow your abilities within your schedule.
“I just want to say thanks to Professors Jane Ostergaard and Mark Pearson for their passion for architecture and commitment to providing a great education.”
Learn more about the Architecture program at College of DuPage