Seminole State Celebrates 15 Years of Interior Design Excellence

As Seminole State College of Florida continues to champion Career and Technical Education (CTE), the College is also marking a significant milestone with the 15th anniversary of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Interior Design. This program has helped shape workforce-ready designers and elevate the interior design profession across Central Florida and beyond.

Since welcoming its first cohort in 2011, the BAS in Interior Design has remained grounded in a clear mission to prepare students with the technical expertise, creative problem-solving skills and professional confidence required in today’s design industry. Graduates of the program now work as licensed interior designers, firm leaders, business owners, educators and industry specialists, reflecting the strength of the foundation built at Seminole State.

One of the program’s most notable achievements was in 2018, when it earned Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), a nationally recognized distinction held by only 170 four-year interior design programs across the United States and Canada. 

Accreditation signifies the highest standards in interior design education and provides graduates with a pathway to professional licensure and advanced degrees. In the fall of 2024, the program was reaffirmed as CIDA-accredited for an additional six years.

Designed for Real-World Practice

A defining characteristic of Seminole State’s BAS in Interior Design is its strong connection to the industry. The program benefits from close collaboration with interior designers, architects, manufacturers and construction professionals throughout Central Florida who actively contribute to student learning.

Industry professionals regularly serve as guest speakers, participate in portfolio reviews, host internships and engage with students through events such as the annual Product Tradeshow and Design Discussions speaker series. Students also gain hands-on experience through community-based projects, including partnerships with Habitat for Humanity, Addition Financial Renovate to Educate and Make-A-Wish Central Florida.

Interdisciplinary collaboration further enhances student experiences. Interior design students work alongside peers in construction and digital media programs, participating in joint networking events, career fairs and real-world projects that mirror professional practice.

Technology-Driven, Hands-On Learning

“Since 2011, interior design has evolved into an increasingly technical profession, and our curriculum has evolved alongside. Students gain proficiency in industry-standard software such as Revit and Enscape, producing 3D renderings, virtual walkthroughs and full construction document sets. Emerging technologies, including smart-building systems and lighting innovations, are also incorporated to reflect current industry applications,” said Academic Dean Cheryl Knodel, RID, MS, Centers for Construction, Design and Building Trades at Seminole State.

At the core of the curriculum are six sequential design studios, each focused on a different sector from residential and corporate design to hospitality, healthcare and transportation. These studios challenge students to solve realistic design problems, respond to client scenarios and apply life safety, sustainability and building systems knowledge in a professional context.

Impact Beyond the Classroom

Graduates of the BAS in Interior Design program are making a measurable impact across the region. Alumni are employed by prominent design firms, healthcare and corporate design practices, construction companies and themed entertainment leaders, including Walt Disney Imagineering and Universal Orlando. Others have pursued advanced degrees in architecture, interior architecture and lighting design, with some returning to Seminole State as faculty members.

Many graduates also earn NCIDQ certification, the nationally recognized credential that supports professional licensure and reinforces the program’s commitment to industry standards.

“With strong employment demand and continued program growth, Seminole State expects to graduate 40 BAS interior design students this spring, the majority of whom are already working in the field,” continued Knodel.

Alumni Perspective: Preparing Designers for Practice and Purpose

Fifteen years after its launch, Seminole State’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Interior Design continues to shape professionals whose careers reflect both technical excellence and personal growth. Alumni of the program credit its applied, hands-on approach and strong faculty mentorship with preparing them not only for employment, but for leadership, licensure and lifelong careers in design.

For Virtue Wilmot, founder and principal interior designer of MODEA INTERIORS, the program delivered the technical foundation and professional discipline required to launch and lead her own firm. She reflected on the advanced coursework in CAD and Revit, along with a curriculum grounded in building codes and real-world expectations, as critical preparation for licensure and practice.

“The people truly make the program what it is,” Wilmot said. “Their passion and dedication paved the way for us to thrive. From advanced technical training to a demanding workload, the program prepared me for the realities of professional practice and ultimately laid the groundwork for launching and leading my own firm.”

Equally impactful, Wilmot noted, was the program’s emphasis on faculty mentorship and hands-on learning.

“Being mentored by professors who were genuinely invested in our success helped me understand the true complexity and responsibility of interior design,” she said.

For Rizwan Ahmed Shamsi, NCIDQ, senior interior designer at Bentley Group Inc., the program’s influence extended beyond design skills to confidence, collaboration and identity. While technical knowledge was essential, Shamsi credits group projects and presentations with preparing him for the interpersonal realities of professional practice.

“Maneuvering through different personalities and perspectives are things textbooks and technical classes can’t teach,” Shamsi said. “Yet they are among the fundamentals of any successful project.”

The program’s required presentations pushed Shamsi outside his comfort zone, helping him build confidence through experience and practice.

“Making mistakes, finding the right words and reflecting afterward built my confidence and encouraged me to keep improving,” he said.

Looking back, Shamsi describes the BAS in Interior Design as a pivotal turning point in his life. Encouraged by a high school teacher to explore interior design, he began his education at what was then Seminole Community College, uncertain of his long-term path.

“If it were not for Seminole State College establishing the program when it did, I would probably have ended up in a career where I would have been miserable,” Shamsi said. “I would not be the same person I am today.”

Today, both alumni exemplify the program’s mission to prepare graduates with the technical expertise, professional confidence and adaptability needed to succeed across diverse sectors of the design industry.

Their experiences underscore how Seminole State’s BAS in Interior Design continues to empower students to successfully enter the workforce and define their careers with purpose.

Looking Ahead

As the design profession continues to evolve, Seminole State’s interior design program remains focused. Guided by industry advisory boards, professional associations and CIDA standards, the curriculum is continuously refined to address emerging trends, sustainability practices and evidence-based design approaches that prioritize health, safety and well-being.

By celebrating 15 years of the BAS in Interior Design during CTE Month, Seminole State College reaffirms its commitment to career-focused education preparing designers not just for today’s workforce, but for the future.

Learn more about the Bachelor of Applied Science in Interior Design by visiting seminolestate.edu/interior-design.

The community is also invited to attend the free Career Fair on March 3 to meet with over 40 employers hiring part-time jobs, full-time jobs and internships.