How Harper Kvasnovsky, Senior Associate at Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects, pays it forward
At Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects, mentorship isn’t just a professional courtesy, but a cornerstone of the firm’s culture. Harper Kvasnovsky, Senior Associate at M&D, embodies that spirit wholeheartedly. During her own time as an Architecture student at Penn State University, she was a mentee of Frank Dittenhafer II, President, making the work she does today even more meaningful.
From mentoring a high school senior on a capstone project to continuing her work with Crispus Attucks for their summer education Planning & Design series, Kvasnovsky has found herself in what she calls a “full-circle moment”—an opportunity to give back to the same kind of programs that helped her find her footing early in her career.
A Helping Hand
Kvasnovsky’s newest mentorship effort centers on a year‑long partnership with an incoming high‑school senior from Harford County Public Schools in Maryland. The student will work alongside Kvasnovsky as well as Rebecca McCormick, Principal Architect at M&D, to help guide her capstone project. The program gives the student a front‑row seat to the rhythms of professional Architecture—from early design conversations to project development—while offering Kvasnovsky the chance to model the kind of guidance that helped her.
Throughout the 2026–27 school year, the student plans to meet regularly with her M&D mentors to discuss design intent and introduce the collaborative problem‑solving that defines the field. “Getting different perspectives from the two of us will benefit her,” Kvasnovsky adds.
Building Community Through Design
Kvasnovsky continues to be involved in M&D’s ongoing partnership with the Crispus Attucks York Career Focus Institute for a six-week Architecture, Planning & Design Program for local high school students. Now entering its third year, the series invites students to explore design solutions for real-world spaces.
This summer, participants will focus on creating a teen-friendly “hangout hub,” a concept identified during last year’s South George Street Physical Vision Plan that students worked on. The project challenges students to envision how Architecture can foster connection and belonging, transforming an idea into a tangible vision for York’s future.
Over the years, Kvasnovsky has watched mentees grow in confidence and creativity, and she’s inspired by the possibility that their work might one day come to life. Plus, this type of immersive, hands-on experience provides high school students with a vital head start for their careers. “It gets them thinking about what they want to do at an early age,” says Kvasnovsky. “And beyond that, it gets them excited about bettering their community.”
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At Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects, mentorship isn’t just a professional courtesy, but a cornerstone of the firm’s culture. Harper Kvasnovsky, Senior Associate at M&D, embodies that spirit wholeheartedly.