NKBA Designer Showcase - Kansas City Homes & Style

How did you get started on your journey to Interior Design? Well, my father was a carpenter and when I was 10 they decided to remodel the house and add a whole new floor. My dad did the work and I got a front row seat to see how houses went together. Then we sold it and built the next house from scratch. That is really where I got inspired. My brother went into architecture. So I followed him.

What was your first job in design? I graduated from K-State and worked for Scott Rice. I did systems’ furniture for a while. I really liked the space planning, puzzle part of the job. was a good fit for me. From there I went into commercial construction.

What is your favorite part about being a designer? Function, function, function. So, my love is making a space functional. Not that I don’t love the other parts but that is my favorite.

What do you want people to know about you? I’m a pretty informal type of person and I really don’t have anything to hide I do better if people understand that about me.

Why did you change direction and go into teaching? The hours were long in commercial construction. After I had my first child I went back to work in that arena, but after the second I didn’t think I could do it. So, I looked around for a while and got a part time job at JCCC teaching one class. Jan Cummings was the chair and a wonderful boss. She helped me get started down this path. She sort of lassoed me and wouldn’t let go. She said if I got my masters, there would be another position available at JCCC and there was!

Where do you see the JCCC design program going in the next 5 years? From our program, 85-100% get a job in their field. I am working on transfer agreements with other schools for a bachelor’s degree. We want to tailor make it so the degree fits you. Just strengthening the program so the students can sit for the certification tests.