Mentoring, By the Numbers

This year marks the 15th anniversary of IIDA’s Student Mentoring Program. This dynamic program has given design professionals and students the opportunity to share knowledge, grow, and inspire one another. Every year, IIDA pairs more than 500 students across the country with mentors working across the interiors industry, including designers, manufacturer representatives, dealers, and educators. The program takes students from the classroom to the real world and expands their network. The stats below reflect the impact of this program throughout the years, highlighting the great accomplishments and strides taken to build a better design future.

Fast Facts

Over the past 15 years, 13,602 people participated in the Student Mentoring Program, including 5,963 mentors and 7,639 students
288 firms and companies participated
222 schools were represented

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Did You Know...

15% of mentors have returned more than twice. Their experience ranges from emerging designers to firm owners and principals.
Mentors specialize in over 14 design verticals including education, entertainment, hospitality, government, healthcare, residential, retail, and workplace; and work on projects like cruise lines, Walt Disney Imagineering, senior living, set design, and stadiums and arenas.
Participants have come from all 50 states in the U.S and over 13 countries including Canada, China, England, Ethiopia, India, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, UAE (United Arab Emirates), United Kingdom, and the Ukraine.

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Member Stats

All 35 IIDA Chapters regularly participate.The top 3 IIDA Chapters represented over the years are the IIDA Texas/Oklahoma, Southern California, and New York chapters.
Firms and manufactures most often represented include: Gensler, Perkins&Will, Wilsonart, Stantec, IA Interior Architects, and Kimball International.
Wilsonart awards one (1) $1,000 scholarship annually for IIDA Student members that participate and write an essay about their experience.

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Testimonials

Students and mentors have been inspired and changed by this experience. Hear their stories and see the impact of this program come into fruition through their first-hand experiences.

“A Day in the Life of Student Mentoring” Get a behind the scenes look at the student mentoring experience. Mentors Delaney Bement and Jacqueline Childress, Assoc. IIDA, talk the importance and power of mentorship.

“Inside the Student Mentoring Program” Megan Burns, Assoc. IIDA and Kaitlin Salisbury, Student IIDA share both of their perspectives being a mentor and mentee, and what it means to be a part of this program.

“Leading with Inspiration” In her award-winning essay, Kami Huynh, Student IIDA, shares how important her mentor's influence has been on how she chooses to lead.