The Bellevue College Interior Design Program maintains the highest standards for instructors, since the quality of instruction is a primary determinant for student learning.
All instructors who teach in the program, whether full-time or part-time, must have the educational qualifications to teach at a Washington community college, be successful practicing designers, architects or artists, and be outstanding teachers.
Our faculty cares about the students. We work to create a comfortable, supportive, stimulating and challenging atmosphere.The faculty establish class environments that promote collaboration, self-confidence and initiative among students, and works as a team to unify the program and to ease transitions from one course to another.
Instructors and their courses are evaluated by students, and all instructors are accountable for the relevance and success of their courses. Most important, our instructors enjoy teaching and consider it a privilege to be part of the development of future design professionals.
If you are interested in joining our faculty, please see our faculty pool listing here.
Introduction to our Full-Time Faculty
The members of our faculty have been carefully selected to work closely together as a team. They are dedicated instructors as well as competent working professionals.
The full-time faculty members serve as student advisors, assist in the operations of the program, and do research and practice in the field of Interior Design.
Connie Wais, (Tenured) IDEC, IIDA; B.A. Art/Interior Design, California State University Northridge; M.S. Interior Design Education, Central Washington University. Online curriculum specialist; Curriculum advisor for program. Teaches INDES 140, 150, 151, 350, 351, 370, 471, 472;
Dan Beert , ( Tenured) IDEC, IIDA; BFA Studio Art/Interior Design, Northern Illinois University; MA Interior Design and Facilities Management, Michigan State University. Program chair and full-time instructor, Teaches INDES 373, 440, 471, 472 and Special topics
Michael Cox, B. Arch Mississippi State University Registered Architect, State of Washington; Associate with Fourfold Architecture, PLLC, Seattle, Washington. Twenty years of private professional practice, with emphasis in adaptive reuse of mid-rise structures, residential design and remodeling, interior architecture for corporate, health care, and institutional clients.Teaches INDES 280
Ross Day, Seattle University/Northwest Theological Union, College of the Redwoods, Seattle Central. Teaches and exhibits nationally. Award Winning Craftsman. Collected artist. Teaches Indes 152, 352
Mark Mappala:M. Architecture, Montana State University ; B. Arts Environmental Design, Montana State University ; Cert. Advanced Digital Imaging, University of Washington Extension. CIDA Innovation Award Winner, 2011. Teaches INDES 167, 267, 271, 375
Jonathan Rader: M Arch. Cranbrook Acaedemy of Art; B. Arch, Monstana State University. Commerical Mixed Use, Retail, Hospitality and Residential Design Practice. Teaches INDES 171.
Susan Sherman, BA Interior Design/Textiles, Seattle Pacific University.Practicing Interior Designer in the Puget Sound region. Teaches INDES 140, 142.
Mark A. Ward Associate AIA; B Interior Architecture, Kansas State University; M.Architecture, University of Washington. Founding Principal at Urbanadd Architecture Design and Development; Teaches INDES 340, 470 and 471
Gregory Wharton, AIA RIBA NCARB LEED® AP Architect; BS/BArch Washington State University. Adjunct instructor and Director of Design for Commercial and Residential Architecture at Studio Meng Strazzara in Seattle, WA. Teaches INDES 265. 271, 370, 371 and special topics.
Paul Wu, AIA; BSc Engineering, MA Architecture, University of Oklahoma. Registered architect in California, Oregon and Washington State. Teaches Interior Design 390
