SERVICE TO TEACHING
CURRICULUM COMMITTEE As the primary faculty member in Interior Design at the Art Institute of Washington, I was the representative for our department as the curriculum was constantly evaluated. This is particularly important as we would be undergoing the FIDER accreditation process in a few years. It was essential to maintain detailed documentation of the courses that I taught for review (including all course materials).
LIBRARY COMMITTEE Working in conjunction with the Director of Library Services at the Art Institute of Washington, I researched and developed a comprehensive list of books and videos to be purchased for student and faculty use. As a new program, there was a large budget in order to establish a section on Interior Design.
INTERIOR DESIGN MATERIALS LIBRARY Utilizing my extensive contacts with manufacturers and materials representatives, I obtained donations of materials in order to enable the students to utilize actual finish samples in their projects. It included implementing a system to organize the holdings in a small materials library with the aid of some students. It was an ongoing process as the materials were used frequently.
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF INTERIOR DESIGNERS I was the Faculty Advisor for the student chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers at the Art Institute of Washington. In addition to emphasizing the value of joining a professional organization, I helped the student officers establish the foundations for an active chapter (including fundraising and charity programs).
INTERIOR DESIGN PROGRAMS (LECTURES AND FIELD TRIPS) In an effort to encourage learning beyond the classroom, I organized monthly "Brown Bag Lunch" programs with materials representatives (including Durkan, ArcCom, Milliken, Ann Sacks). Program-wide field trips to Frank Lloyd Wright's Pope Leighey House in Alexandria VA, Monticello in Williamsburg VA, NeoCon East in Baltimore and the ASID Options Student Career Day at the Washington Design Center in Washington DC. Guest lectures (including "Psychology of Color" and "Illustration Techniques") as well as film screenings on architecture and design were also offered throughout the school year.
OPEN HOUSE/ORIENTATION Each quarter, I was responsible for representing the Interior Design department at the Open House. Prospective students were able to view some of my student's projects and hear from student volunteers about the courses that they were taking. It includes Orientation at the beginning of each quarter, too.
PUBLIC RELATIONS In conjunction with the Director of Public Relations at the Art Institute of Washington, my students worked on several projects (including the development of a booth for Nestle Nescafe at "Taste of DC", an exhibition of student projects from INT 269 Human Factors highlighting universal design and accessibility, and design/build of the AiW booth for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival utilizing Asian influences).
SUMMER WORKSHOP As part of the pre-college program at the Art Institute of Washington, I conducted a week long workshop for high school students. In addition to introducing them to interior design, this intensive course enabled them to create portfolio pieces for admission into college programs.
YANITZA TAVAREZ 6588 Overleigh Lane, Alexandria VA 22315 c202 276 5914 yanitzatavarez@gmail.com
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