by NEW YORK — The International Interior Design Association’s New York Chapter (IIDA NY) is honored to announce the winners of its third annual Hazel Siegel Scholarship: Dohee Kim from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), Giuliana Grosso from the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), and Autumn Howard from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).
The recipients will receive an all-expense-paid, three-day trip to IIDA’s SHIFT Conference in Dallas February 14-16, accompanied by Michelle Schutt, AIA Associate and CertainTeed Architectural Solutions Manager, and a one-year IIDA student membership to the NY chapter. A panel of IIDA NY members received 37 applications and judged the winning applicants based on their community engagement, academic standing, design aspirations, perspectives on diversity, and post-graduation goals as follows:
Dohee Kim (FIT)
Dohee has been actively engaged with IIDA and held the position of president of the Interior Design Club at FIT, where she mentors fellow students. She was awarded an IIDA membership at IIDA NY’s inaugural Student Uplift (SUP) event last year. Despite English not being her first language, Dohee attained straight “A” ‘s in all her design classes. Her aspirations involve crafting environments that positively influence the daily experiences of end-users. She aims to obtain certifications like NCIDQ and LEED to contribute to a future design firm’s adherence to best practices in sustainability, equality, and diversity.
Giuliana Grosso (NYIT)
Engaging in IIDA NY’s Student Knowledge Forum Committee for nearly three years, Giuliana presently holds the role of Student Co-Chair leader, actively partnering with another student co-chair to facilitate group meetings and coordinate networking events. Expressing a keen interest in integrating various disciplines into her projects, such as applying music theory to enhance functional designs, her thesis centers on an environmentally conscious research facility paired with a museum. Upon graduation, she aspires to work in a design firm that places a strong emphasis on sustainability.
Autumn Howard (RIT)
Assuming the position of IIDA Campus Center Co-Chair at RIT, Autumn shares her enthusiasm with fellow students, recognizing IIDA as a valuable avenue to establish industry connections and forge ties with colleges nationwide. She strives to convey creative visions across diverse sectors within the industry, collaborating closely with individuals of varying skill levels. Her career goals revolve around continual skill improvement and making a positive impact on society.
This scholarship honors the legacy of Hazel Siegel, an acclaimed textile designer and chapter member who held numerous leadership positions and received multiple honors over 40 years of dedicated service to the chapter. Following her passing in 2020, IIDA NY initiated a program to honor her enduring contributions to the industry. Siegel, also a respected professor at Pratt Institute, was recognized as an industry icon by Interior Design magazine’s 75th-anniversary issue for her unwavering commitment to the design field. The scholarship celebrates Siegel’s legacy and the significant impact she made on the design community. For more information about the scholarship, please visit the IIDA NY website here.
