HMC Architects Appoints Three New Higher Education Leaders

• By Matt Jones
• 03/28/24

HMC Architects recently announced the appointment of three new higher education leaders for its practice in California, according to a news release. James Sink, AIA, LEED AP, DBIA will serve as the firm’s new higher education practice leader, while Christina Mannion and Eric Skiba will serve as Principals-in-Charge.

Sink joined HMA in 2010 and has more than 23 years of experience in higher education design. Previous projects include student housing and a dining commons at Cal Poly Pomona and the University of California San Diego’s Ridge Walk North Living and Learning Neighborhood. His new position will place him in charge of the firm’s higher education practice’s strategic vision and overall performance. He received a Bachelor of Architecture from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and a Master of Architecture from Harvard.

“I am passionate about the intersection of creativity, intellectual pursuit, and the ability to positively impact people’s lives,” said Sink. “I look forward to engaging with the fantastic talent across the firm to continue to grow this practice and create lasting and positive impact through our work.”

Christina Mannion, RA, AIA, LEED, NCARB, will work out of the firm’s San Diego office as a principal-in-charge for the higher education practice. After drafting custom homes on Lake Tahoe, she earned a Master of Architecture in San Diego. Her experience also includes biotech projects, urban mixed-use multifamily residences, and client representation for the Capital Program Management Department at the University of California, San Diego. At HMC, she will focus largely on business development and expanding the firm’s education client base in Southern California.

“I have followed HMC since encountering the firm on interview panels at UCSD,” said Mannion. “I knew HMC was synonymous with design excellence and was looking for a workplace with focus, strategic goals, and genuine care for its employees.”

Erik Skiba, AIA, LEED AP, Associate DBIA, will work out of HMA’s San Francisco studio as a new principal-in-charge. During his 25-year career, his higher education experience includes recreation and wellness centers, libraries, classrooms, and labs. His projects of pride, according to the news release, are the University of California Santa Cruz Coastal Biology Building and the Sacramento State Recreation and Wellness Building. He’ll focus on business development and expanding the firm’s client base in Northern California.

“Public work is difficult to do successfully,” said Skiba. “The fact that HMC has succeeded in this repeatedly speaks volumes about its vision, management, and overall leadership.”