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New Interior Design program manager named

Friday, May 28, 2010
Loraine O'Connell

Cheryl Knodel

Cheryl Knodel has been named program manager for Seminole State College of Florida’s Interior Design Program effective May 10.

Knodel, who came to the College in 2003 as an adjunct instructor in the Architecture and Construction Department, was instrumental in developing the baccalaureate program in interior design, Seminole State’s first four-year degree. Her efforts included creating the curriculum for four of the bachelor’s program courses. The courses emphasize building systems, sustainable design practices and professional business practices and management.

“Seminole State’s Interior Design Program has been successful for 37 years, and our plan moving forward is to keep the courses relevant to industry standards and trends,” she says.

Knodel, a Florida licensed interior designer, received her B.S. in interior design from Florida State University. She has practiced commercial and residential design since 1987 and is the sole proprietor of a local design firm. Major projects have included private residences throughout Central Florida, such as multimillion dollar homes in Lake Nona Estates and Heathrow Golf Community; law firms; professional offices; and financial institutions. Knodel recently attained LEED® Green Associate accreditation for sustainable design practices.

Her professional associations include the International Interior Design Association (IIDA); Central Florida Chapter of U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC); and Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC). Knodel served on the IIDA Florida Chapter Board of Directors and is a former IIIDA Central Florida City Center Director.

Knodel serves as the faculty adviser for the student chapters of Emerging Green Builders and IIDA. She also took part in and served as the faculty adviser for three Habitat for Humanity student co-op projects.

Knodel succeeds Jill Smith, who is retiring as program manager after 37 years. Smith founded the program at Seminole State in 1974.

For more information, visit the Interior Design Program online.