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IIDA FOUNDATION AND IDEC FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE RECIPIENT OF DIVERSITY AWARD
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 5, 2018

IIDA FOUNDATION AND IDEC FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE RECIPIENT OF DIVERSITY AWARD

CHICAGO, IL — The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Foundation, in partnership with the Interior Design Educators Council Foundation, Inc., (IDECF), is pleased to announce Abimbola O. Asojo, Ph.D., AIA, IES, IDEC, NCIDQ, NOMA, LEED AP, professor of interior design at the College of Design, University of Minnesota, as the recipient of the 2nd annual IIDA Foundation Diversity Award.

This award celebrates an educator who is representative of a diverse background and actively advancing diversity in the Interior Design industry. Asojo will receive $5,000 on behalf of the IIDA Foundation and be recognized during the IDEC Annual Conference, March 7-10, 2018, in Boston.

“Not only does Abimbola encourage her students to demonstrate social responsibility through design, she has centered her career around guiding principles that promote diversity, cross-cultural understanding, and empathy,” said Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA, LEED AP, Executive Vice President and CEO of IIDA. “We are proud to honor Abimbola for her contributions to interior design education with the IIDA Foundation Diversity Award.”

Asojo’s commitment to diversity is apparent in her distinguished 20-year career and extends far beyond the classroom. In addition to teaching, she has organized multiple Diversity and Design workshops and lectures, creating a dialogue among students, faculty, and practitioners. In addition, through her research and outreach efforts, Asojo continuously connects with the surrounding communities by involving them in the design process in order to foster successful outcomes and promote the health and well-being of building occupants.

“Disseminating knowledge on cultural diversity and cross-cultural issues has formed a significant part of my teaching, research, and service over the last 20 years,” said Abimbola. “As a professor, part of my responsibility is to bridge the gap between theory and practice by engaging students in authentic design experiences to help them develop empathy and understand pressing societal issues.”

IIDA Foundation Diversity Award submissions were reviewed by IIDA International Board of Directors President-elect Gabrielle Bullock, IIDA, FAIA, NOMA, LEED AP BD+C, principal and director, Global Diversity, Perkins+Will, and 2017 IIDA Educator of the Year Jon Otis, IIDA, founder and principal, Object Agency, and professor, Pratt Institute. For more information about the IIDA Foundation Diversity Award, please contact Aisha Williams at awilliams@iida.org.

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About International Interior Design Association
IIDA is the Commercial Interior Design Association with global reach. We support design professionals, industry affiliates, educators, students, firms, and their clients through our network of 15,000+ Members across 58 countries. IIDA advocates for advancement in education, design excellence, legislation, leadership, accreditation, and community outreach to increase the value and understanding of Interior Design as a profession that enhances business value and positively impacts the health and well-being of people’s lives every day. www.iida.org

Media Contact:
Lauren Haras
Creative Project Director
312.379.5139
lharas@iida.org