Blueprint for Success: How LPP Shaped Mara’s Path to Architecture

Before starting a career in architecture – and even before she started studying it in college – Mara Morrison was getting the job skills she needed through Liberty Partnerships Program.

Mara is a 2020 Binghamton High School graduate, but her involvement with Liberty began back in the 7th grade. From middle school through 12th grade, Mara was an active member of Liberty both in school and during the summer months.

Every step of the way, Liberty was there to provide opportunities and support through in-school and summer programs alike.

“I completely became a new person throughout the years of being in the program and having these people be my mentors and really push me to do more for myself,” she said. “I would say I definitely wouldn’t be the person I am today if I wasn’t in the program.”

Mara said it was the opportunities given throughout the years at LPP that allowed her to grow as a person and brought her out of her shell. Receiving help from LPP when she needed it is what made the biggest impact on her.

And her involvement didn’t stop when she graduated high school. 

Mara continued to work for Liberty summer programs as a counselor for the next four years, while attending college. She graduated from SUNY Delhi in 2024 with two degrees, in architectural technology and residential construction, and now works as an assistant drafter for a drafting firm.

For Mara, one of the most significant projects during the summer was Ramp It Up, where she and fellow students helped build wheelchair accessible ramps. 

“Working with them, I actually was able to gain connections with a few of the people through that council since I was going into that kind of field,” Mara said. 

Mara’s networking paid off. Those connections still help her to this day, and she was even given a few opportunities to work with them as she pursued her career in architecture.

Her connections with the rest of the LPP staff have also been an incredibly valuable asset to her as she navigated life both in college and after college. 

“I wouldn’t trade being in the program for the world. It’s definitely helped me out in more ways than I can probably explain,” she said.

“Being a part of that community and being able to have those people that I know I can always go to no matter what – even if it is in school, out of school – I can be hours away and they can be there for me, no matter the time of day,” she said.