University Of North Carolina Greensboro issued the following announcement on Feb. 24.
Aleah Mazyck strives to change lives through design.
And the senior marketing and interior architecture major has already gotten a head start at UNC Greensboro. She has established diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in UNCG’s interior architecture department, including a diversity speaker series and a summer mentorship program for youth to expose them to the field of interior design.
Now, she’s taking this work beyond the classroom.
Mazyck was named one of five inaugural student recipients of Thermador’s Diversity in Design Pipeline scholarship program, which aims to empower a new generation of talent from underrepresented communities.
The Thermador Diversity in Design Pipeline Initiative, in partnership with the Interior Design Society (IDS), was designed to support students in their senior year at an accredited interior design program “to aid the transition into a successful, burgeoning career” by providing mentorship and financial support, two of the biggest obstacles for students of underrepresented backgrounds working to become professional designers.
“I was in shock when I heard the news that I was one of five students chosen from across the country,” said Mazyck. “I’m so excited and grateful to be a part of this program.”
Students were chosen by an esteemed panel of judges including Oh Joy! Founder Joy Cho, HGTV Design Star contestant Justin Williams, House Beautiful Marketing Director Carisha Swanson, award-winning interior designer and co-founder of Bauer/Clifton Interiors Jeremy Bauer, and award-winning interior and product designer David Santiago of Casa Santi Interior Design.
During the application process, Mazyck’s passion and talent spoke for themselves.
Mazyck’s design renderings created as part of her coursework in UNCG’s interior architecture department.
“Joy Cho is someone that I absolutely love, so knowing that she looked at my work is crazy. And David Santiago actually spoke with our program as part of our diversity speaker series last year, so it was a full-circle moment to have someone that I listened to and looked up to on campus just a few months before appreciate my work and choose me for this program.”
The mentorship program pairs students and mentors who meet on a monthly basis to discuss the essential and tangible skills needed to be successful in the highly competitive world of design. As part of the scholarship program, students and mentors are invited to attend Thermador brand immersion experiences and seminars on cutting-edge trends and innovation. Students also receive $10,000 toward tuition and a student membership with IDS.
Mazyck’s mentor is Bria Hammel of Bria Hammel Interiors – a pairing that she describes as a “perfect match.”
“Hearing how Bria Hammel got her start and the lessons she’s learned along the way has been incredibly inspiring and helpful to me. Having her support and getting her feedback has helped me grow so much, and having access to her network is such an incredible opportunity. This experience has changed the whole future of my career.”
Mazyck credits UNCG’s interior architecture program for helping her land this scholarship.
“The professors are focused on the experience rather than just the buildings. It’s about restoring civility and being intentional in your design work, and I think the judges saw that in the work that I submitted from my studies. UNCG’s interior architecture program really pushes you to be the best designer you can be.”
Original source can be found here.
Source: University Of North Carolina Greensboro
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