The IA&D Healthcare Mentorship Program is excited to celebrate its fifth year, with mentorship pairings concluding at the end of the semester. The program continues its mission of connecting aspiring interior design students with experienced healthcare professionals from leading national and global firms. This initiative pairs students from Studio IV, our health and wellness studio, with designers working on innovative healthcare projects, providing a valuable platform for career growth and industry insight.
This year’s program features 23 distinguished mentors, including practice leaders, vice presidents, senior interior designers, project coordinators, and principals from renowned firms such as Gresham Smith, CannonDesign, HKS, ESA, Kahler Slater, and Little Diversified Architectural. We are particularly proud to have nine FSU alumni among this year’s mentors, showcasing the strong presence of FSU graduates in the healthcare design industry. Notably, some mentors, like Carolyn Blake, have participated for five consecutive years, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to the program’s success.
Mentors hail from diverse locations across the U.S., including Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, St. Louis, Buffalo, Dallas, Birmingham, Nashville, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbus, Albany, and Washington, D.C. This geographic variety ensures students receive a well-rounded perspective on the industry.
Over the course of 10 weeks, students gain invaluable professional growth opportunities, honing essential communication skills and receiving project feedback from industry leaders. The program also enables students to expand their professional networks, forging connections crucial for future job opportunities and career advancement.
Students also benefit from guest speakers, including Penny Houchens (Gresham Smith, Nashville), Kayla Reiff (Gresham Smith), and Christina Jameson (OFS, Orlando), who provide additional insights into the healthcare design field. We extend our sincere thanks to all the mentors and guest speakers for their invaluable contributions, which continue to enrich the student experience and shape the future of the industry.
As I get closer and closer to the end of my educational career and the beginning of my professional one, I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to be guided by working professionals. With my student portfolio filled with student projects, I have thoroughly enjoyed the role my mentor has played in making my work feel real.
4th Year, Interior Architecture and Design Student, Kendall Haas
