Ryan DeSanctis is a 2019 graduate of Gorham High School who has spent the past six years studying architecture at Roger Williams University in Providence and Bristol, Rhode Island. This past May, he graduated with a master’s degree in architecture and a graduate certificate in historic preservation. DeSanctis is the son of Dino and Mia DeSanctis of Gorham.
DeSanctis first graduated from RWU in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a degree in art and architectural history. “Staying at RWU for a master’s degree just made sense to me. I already had great relationships with professors and knew what the studio culture was like. And the certificate let me go deeper into preservation,” he was quoted in a 2025 Graduate Blog titled “Made At RWU: Two Architecture Degrees, Historic Preservation Certificate and a Vision For the Future Built Environment” provided by his parents.
At Roger Williams, he had a variety of experiences ranging from the urban developments of Providence to the historic buildings of Newport. From there he took the opportunity to become familiar with the architecture of New England.
While pursuing his master’s degree, DeSanctis took on a role as a graduate research assistant at the Cummings School of Architecture, where he worked on architectural documentation and historic preservation projects. “RWU’s architecture program was full of field opportunities. I didn’t just sit in a classroom – I worked on real buildings, on real problems, from day one,” he stated in the blog.
He also took full advantage of RWU’s study abroad programs. He participated in a two-week program in Brazil and visited Switzerland through his graduate studio, broadening his global design perspective. “That trip really gave me context for what we learn in class. You see how buildings reflect culture, history, politics – everything. It was amazing to see how different cultures approach preservation and design.”
DeSanctis has returned to Maine and to a full-time position at Port City Architecture, beginning his journey toward professional licensure. When asked what advice he would give to incoming students, he stated: “The best advice I could give is to just say ‘yes’ to things. Especially when it feels like a challenge or something outside what you’re comfortable doing – that’s usually where the growth happens.”