Jordan Vela is an artist native to Saginaw, MI where he attended both Arthur Hill High School and the Center for Arts and Sciences. He pursued an education in Engineering and Physics at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI, and continued studying Physics in graduate school at San Diego State University in San Diego, CA. After working as a math and physics tutor for several years in Chicago, Jordan came to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago to rediscover his background in art. As a way of combining his love for science, engineering, and the world of art, he leaned into architecture and is now finishing his Master of Architecture degree at SAIC. Jordan hopes to go on to a career where he can continue to design and contribute to community development and social equity.