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May 18, 2022 By IDA HQ
Meet Melissa Cook, IIDA Student Engagement Manager
“I always think about what I wish I would have known or the advice I wish I had gotten in college—I want to be that person for our students”
By IDA HQ May 18, 2022

IIDA’s newly-appointed Student Engagement Manager, Melissa Cook has always had a passion for people. From volunteering in her community, to majoring in Communication and Non-Profit Management at Auburn University, and her previous role as the Communications Coordinator at IIDA HQ, she has always been drawn to finding new ways to connect with others on and offline. In this new chapter, she’s eager to get to know the IIDA Student members, really listen to their wants and needs, and create a space where they feel empowered to ask questions, learn, and grow—ultimately becoming the best designers and leaders they can be.

Tell us a bit about where you come from. In what ways has your background prepared you and how will it inform your new role at IIDA?


I graduated college with an array of majors listed on my diploma, but I found myself drawn to communications, marketing, and social media in my post-grad career. Social media is all about creating community and connecting people, in-person and digitally. I truly don’t think there is anything more important than connecting and finding your people, and that’s what I plan to focus on in this new role—bringing students together with their peers, connecting them with educators, mentors, and potential hiring managers across the globe. Creating a space where they feel empowered to ask questions, learn, grow, and become the best designers and leaders they can be.

Can you talk about the benefits of IIDA Student membership and what makes it an important experience during one’s academic career?

Being able to join a community of designers and architects from across the globe, with a variety of backgrounds, specialties, and interests, and having the opportunity to connect, work with and learn from them—all while still being in school—is invaluable. IIDA Student members gain insight on what it truly means to have a career as a designer. It is through programs like the IIDA Student Mentoring Program, student-focused events, and conferences that student members have the opportunity to meet with professional and industry members, get their foot in the door at networking events, and graduate with usable knowledge, hands-on experience, and connections in the industry.

What do you hope to accomplish in this position—both in the short- and long-term?

Short-term, my goal is to connect with our students, campus centers, educators, and chapters. Creating community starts with building relationships! I want to get to know our students and find out what they need and want from IIDA and how I can create a better experience for them in the long-term.

Long-term, I want to accomplish two things. First, I want to build the brand that is IIDA Student membership. I want students and the design industry as a whole to know that having the “Student IIDA” appellation on a resume means something—beyond making you more hireable, it also represents you as a passionate designer, a leader, and an individual looking to change the industry for the better. Secondly, I want to curate the student member experience—think programs, mentorship, networking, and all the things that come with an IIDA membership, expanded and built specifically for students and their needs.

What do you hope to accomplish in this position—both in the short- and long-term?

Short-term, my goal is to connect with our students, campus centers, educators, and chapters. Creating community starts with building relationships! I want to get to know our students and find out what they need and want from IIDA and how I can create a better experience for them in the long-term.

Long-term, I want to accomplish two things. First, I want to build the brand that is IIDA Student membership. I want students and the design industry as a whole to know that having the “Student IIDA” appellation on a resume means something—beyond making you more hireable, it also represents you as a passionate designer, a leader, and an individual looking to change the industry for the better. Secondly, I want to curate the student member experience—think programs, mentorship, networking, and all the things that come with an IIDA membership, expanded and built specifically for students and their needs.

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IIDA Student Engagement Manager Melissa Cook
IIDA Student Engagement Manager Melissa Cook

IIDA is an inclusive global network of creative and diverse professionals. Can you talk about the importance of community within interior design and the world at-large, especially keeping students in mind?

The importance of being a part of a diverse community can’t be overstated. Designers create spaces for everyone, not just some, and being connected to thousands of designers across the globe with different backgrounds, viewpoints, experiences, and worldviews allows you to see beyond your lived experiences and use the collective knowledge to create spaces for all people. And having this community and knowledge as a student puts you one step ahead and allows you to be a part of the betterment of the industry from day one.

What is one piece of advice you would give to an interior design student to help them navigate today’s design world?

Stay open-minded: Say yes to opportunities and new experiences and always keep learning.
Stay kind: We all have more in common than not and kindness and respect will do more for your reputation in your career than any award ever will.
Remember why you chose design: Design is about passion and creativity and community. Always remember your why as you move forward in your career.

How do you stay motivated?

My college experience sometimes feels like it was ages ago, other times like it was yesterday. I always think about what I wish I would have known or the advice I wish I had gotten in college, and I want to be that person for our students. Knowing that I can give them the knowledge and experiences I wish I had while creating new and exciting experiences for them keeps me motivated and excited!

What are you most excited about moving forward?

I’m mostly excited to connect with our students. I’ve met a few already and can honestly say they are some of the coolest, kindest, and smartest people I’ve met and I can’t wait to learn from them.

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