At Yorkville University, education isn’t just about preparing students for the future – it’s about creating lifelong connections that often bring our graduates back through our doors, not as students, but as leaders, mentors, and changemakers.
In this special Q&A feature, we spotlight five remarkable alumni from the Bachelor of Interior Design (BID) program who have returned to Yorkville in meaningful roles – from program leadership, to faculty and advisors.
The stories of Maha Dahroug, Junghee Kim, Kateryna Franchuk, Shalaleh Azar and Trushanti Shirodkar reflect not only their own personal journeys, but also the strength of a BID program committed to professional excellence, inclusive learning, and community support.
“From classrooms to advising offices, these women’s influence is now being woven into the next generation of emerging designers – proving that, at Yorkville, the journey doesn’t end at graduation. It evolves, grows, and often, comes full circle,” said Reem Habib, chair of the BID program at Yorkville.
Here, we meet the alumni who are now giving back to the BID program that helped shape their careers:
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Maha Dahroug, Class of 2018 – Now serving as Associate Chair of the BID Program
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in interior design, and how did your education at Yorkville University shape your path?
Since my early childhood, I have always wanted to be an interior designer. I was always fascinated by the world of design, colors, and interiors. Although I had a brief detour in my career that delayed the fulfillment of this dream, I never forgot about it, and I knew that one day I would accomplish it. Yorkville University has provided me with everything I need to make my dream come true. It gave me the strong academic foundation that enabled me to confidently enter the industry. YU has always supported me throughout my studies and career, consistently following, and recognizing my achievements since I was a student in the BID program.
After earning my Master’s degree in Sustainable Interior Environments from the New York School of Interior Design (NYSID), Yorkville University once again recognized my achievement and offered me the opportunity to become an adjunct professor in the BID program. Not only that, but they also offered me a scholarship to complete my Graduate Certificate in Education for Adult Learning (GCE), which significantly enhanced my teaching methods in class and equipped me with the tools to create inclusive and enriching learning environments for my students. The GCE also helped me with the courses I developed for the BID program.
2. What motivated you to come back to Yorkville to serve as Associate Chair of the BID program?
The incredible support I received from Yorkville University was the main motivator behind my success in all aspects both in my studies and my career. This is what truly inspires me to continue coming back with more passion and innovative ideas to enrichthe program further, helping the next generation of students become more industry oriented even before they graduate. This fulfilling longstanding relationship with Yorkville University has ultimately led to the opportunity for me to become the Associate Chair of the Bachelor of Interior Design Program.
What I truly appreciate about our BID program is its commitment to offering an up-to-date industry-relevant curriculum that helps our students find their place in the industry faster even before they graduate. The relationships and partnerships the program has built with other international universities, as well as with industry leaders, have made it one of the best interior programs offered in Canada.
3. What skills and experiences from your time in the BID program do you rely on in your current position?
I believe that every day is a new learning experience, should we open our eyes to the vast experiences around us. Therefore, I always cherish every single experience, skill, or even a simple conversation with my professors or colleagues. The BID program had provided me with all the foundational skills I needed to build upon the first milestones in my design career. Not only that it is a student-centered program, but its true strength lies in its diversity, inclusivity, and consistent efforts to create equitable and enriching learning opportunities for students.
This multicultural exposure I found in the community at Yorkville University has enhanced my communication skills, broadened my perspectives, and enriched my creativity. Additionally, the smaller class sizes contribute to a more focused, student- centered learning experience by facilitating more meaningful interactions with both professors and peers. Furthermore, the most important strength and beauty of the program, is that it always stands strongly behind its students and is truly committed to investing in its best talents by supporting them during and after graduation. I believe I’m a living example of how genuine academic support could help students achieve incredible success in their career life; a fact that inspired me to become the best version of myself throughout my relationship with YU, and eventually led to the opportunity to become the Associate Chair of the same program in which I was once a student.
4. As associate chair, what do you find most rewarding about this opportunity to shape the next generation of interior designers?
I believe my experience and long history with Yorkville University serve as a real example that we, as a university, are walking the talk and doing whatever it takes to support our students, helping them believe in themselves and become confident in their own skins. That is because, at Yorkville University, we believe that our strength is in our diversity.
As the Associate Chair of the program, the most rewarding aspect of this opportunity is being able to directly contribute to the progress and success of the next generation of designers, by mentoring students, guiding them through their academics, and giving them a sense of the industry while they are still undergraduates so that they are equipped with all the tools they need to enter the industry right upon graduation. On a personal level, it is incredibly fulfilling for me to pass the torch to the next generation of designers, while seeing them grow successfully and confidently in their careers, knowing that I have personally played a role in their design journey.
Since joining Yorkville University after my graduation, as an adjunct professor, I have been determined to consistently give back to this great program by keeping it industry-relevant, ensuring that our students are always feeling supported and inspired along the way.
5. Looking back on your Yorkville journey, what advice would you give to current students in the BID program?
Simply, believe in yourself, and always follow your heart. Trust in yourself, your skills, and creativity, and with strong determination, you will be able to overcome any challenge. Never be afraid to take risks, and always push the boundaries to reap the rewarding result at the end. Finally, as I always tell both my sons and my students, open your eyes to the rich learning opportunities that surround us every day. Believe that every single challenge in our lives, comes with a valuable lesson that will polish your skills and add to your repertoire of experience. Embrace every single experience, never stop growing, and always remain to new challenges and opportunities. Lastly, my constant advice to students, never stop learning and always keep yourself up to date with the new trends in the design market. Our industry is a fast developing one, and so you need to be to stay relevant at all times.
6. How do you envision the future of the BID program at Yorkville, and what role do you see yourself playing in that vision?
One of the main reasons that encouraged me to accept the opportunity to become the Associate chair of the program, is the continuous improvement and development I have seen in the program over the past years, along with the leadership efforts to make this program a truly enriching and student-centered experience. I envision the future of our BID program as one that continues to support the upcoming generations of new designers by ensuring that it remains relevant, innovative, digitally capable, inclusive, socially responsible, sustainable, and responsive to emerging trends and global challenges. I see the program continuing to attract students from all over the world, fostering creativity, provoking critical thinking, and instilling professional ethics to genuinely fuel the learning potentials of our students.
In this vision, and through my new role, I see myself playing a key role in ensuring that our BID program continues to offer a robust, forward-thinking, and industry relevant learning experience by building strong connections with design professionals, industry leaders, and our educational partners both locally and internationally. My ultimate goal is to help our students feel supported, equipped, inspired, confident, and ready to enter the workforce and contribute meaningfully to the industry, either upon their graduation or even before they graduate through the valuable internship opportunities we strive to offer to our skilled students.
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Junghee Kim, Class of 2018 – Now serving as a Full-Time Professor in the BID program
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in interior design, and how did your education at Yorkville University shape your path?
I studied Visual Communication Design at my first university in South Korea. The program exposed me to a wide range of design disciplines, including graphic design, illustration, packaging design, motion graphics, and window display. Among these subjects, I became particularly interested in spatial planning during a Window Display class, where I explored lighting effects and the arrangement of elements within a space.
This sparked a deeper interest in Interior Design, and I decided to focus my career path in that direction. When I moved to Canada to study abroad, I enrolled in the Interior Design program at Yorkville University. During my years at Yorkville University, I gained a comprehensive understanding of interior design, covering both theoretical concepts and technical skills. The Design Studio courses, in particular, allowed me to integrate the foundational knowledge from other classes and apply it creatively in practical projects.
The education I received there helped me quickly apply what I learned to real-world settings, especially as I began my career as a commercial designer specializing in the retail sector.
2. What motivated you to come back to Yorkville to teach after graduating?
I have always had a passion for educating young designers alongside my design career. This passion led me to begin my teaching journey in a two-year college program. As I gained more experience in teaching, I felt inspired to pursue higher education so that I could eventually teach in bachelor’s degree programs. With this goal in mind, I decided to enroll in a Master’s program in Interior Design. I knew that Yorkville University offered teaching opportunities to graduates with a Master’s degree, so I applied in hopes of joining the four-year Interior Design program. I was thrilled to be offered a position—not only as a part-time faculty member but also as a CIDA assistant, helping prepare for the upcoming program review.
3. What skills and experiences from your time in the Bachelor of Interior Design program do you rely on in your current position?
Among the subjects I studied during my time at Yorkville University, practicing the “Informed Design” process in design studios had a significant impact on both my design and teaching careers. I was newly introduced to the concept of Informed Design, and it completely changed my perspective on interior design.
Before that, my focus was mainly on achieving the right balance of colors, textures, patterns, lighting, and proportion using the Elements and Principles of Design. However, Informed Design opened up a much broader and deeper creative process, emphasizing research, end-user needs, strategic thinking, design ethics, and sustainability.
This approach helped me strengthen my research skills and supported my growth—not only in real-world design projects but also in pursuing my Master’s degree and developing effective teaching materials.
4. As a professor, what do you find most rewarding about teaching the next generation of interior designers?
I am deeply rewarded by seeing them not only absorb new knowledge and refine their skills but also apply these improvements to their work. It makes me feel great and proud when dedicated students show substantial growth during their school years and ultimately graduate with honors. Furthermore, it gives me great pleasure to see graduates actively making an impact in their fields.
5. Looking back on your Yorkville journey, what advice would you give to current students in the Interior Design program?
Developing time management skills is crucial from the very beginning of one’s educational journey. Although students work hard, they also need sufficient rest to stay focused during subsequent learning sessions. Maintaining a healthy balance between work and rest is vital for overall student well-being and academic success. Additionally, setting both short-term and long-term goals—and following a structured plan—greatly enhances effective time management. This solid foundation ultimately prepares students for their senior years, when they must balance their studies with internships to achieve the best possible outcomes.
6. How do you envision the future of the Interior Design program at Yorkville, and what role do you see yourself playing in that vision?
I believe that offering CIDA-accredited courses both online and on-campus effectively meets the diverse needs of our potential and current students, as individuals vary in their locations, work/life schedules, and study plans. This approach convinces me that the future of Yorkville will continue to better accommodate each student through evolving practices and continuous updates. Ultimately, it ensures that anyone aspiring to earn a bachelor’s degree can confidently plan their future with Yorkville.
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Kateryna Franchuk, Class of 2023 – Now serving as a Full-Time Professor in the BID program
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in interior design, and how did your education at Yorkville University shape your path?
Interior design has always been my passion. I had a successful career in the hospitality industry before taking the BID course, however, COVID-19 brought really slow times to hotel business. This is when I understood that it was the right time to follow my long-term passion for design. After researching Interior design schools, it appeared that Yorkville university was the best choice, offering a CIDA accredited program with a great flexibility of online learning!
2. What motivated you to come back to Yorkville to teach after graduating?
The professors who taught me (and who are now my colleagues). They are very passionate about teaching and helping students thrive. I thought it would be a very rewarding experience to not only practice design but also share experience with others.
3. What skills and experiences from your time in the Bachelor of Interior Design program do you rely on in your current position?
There are so many: ranging from technical skills of using various interior design software to soft skills I learned from my instructors
4. As a professor, what do you find most rewarding about teaching the next generation of interior designers?
I find rewarding to see the result of students` work of course, but I find even more rewarding when students enjoy the process of design and the process of learing, nit just the final result of their projects, hence, I try to make classes more interactive and engaging.
5. Looking back on your Yorkville journey, what advice would you give to current students in the Interior Design program?
I always advice students to get involved: participate in design events, competitions, work towards various certifications, such as LEED, WELL, NCIDQ while they are still in school. From a potential employer perspective, anything extra on student`s resume and portfolio gives an advantage in a competitive market.
6. How do you envision the future of the Interior Design program at Yorkville, and what role do you see yourself playing in that vision?
I am sure we will continue to see the BID program grow, as well as witness the continued success of our students in the industry. I am happy to be a part of this journey, and will do my very best to contribute to students success.
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Shalaleh Azar, Class of 2023 – Now serving as a Program Advisor and Part-Time Professor in the BID program
1.What inspired you to pursue a career in interior design, and how did your education at Yorkville University shape your path?
I began my professional journey as an architect, both working in the field and teaching. However, I always had a deep interest in the human experience within interior spaces. That curiosity led me to pursue a degree in interior design at Yorkville University. The program helped me explore design on a more intimate, human scale, and it was through this experience that I realized my true passion lies in interior design. The education I received at Yorkville not only deepened my understanding of the field but also reshaped the way I approach design altogether.
2. What motivated you to come back to Yorkville to teach and work as a program advisor after graduating?
Returning to Yorkville felt natural to me, it’s where I discovered my passion and honed my skills. I wanted to give back to the same community that helped shape my new path. Teaching allows me to share real-world insights, and working as a Program Advisor gives me the opportunity to support students in a meaningful way. I know the program from a student’s perspective, which helps me guide and encourage others with empathy and understanding.
3. What skills and experiences from your time in the Bachelor of Interior Design program do you rely on in your current position?
Having firsthand experience with the curriculum helps me relate to students and anticipate the challenges they might face. Time management, digital tools, concept development, and presentation skills, all things I practiced as a student, are now essential in both my teaching and advising roles. The program taught me not just how to design, but how to think critically and adapt to different scenarios, which is something I try to pass on to my students.
4. As a professor, what do you find most rewarding about teaching the next generation of interior designers?
What I find most rewarding is witnessing those “aha” moments when students truly connect with the material or discover their own design voice. Seeing their growth—from uncertainty to confidence, is incredibly fulfilling. It’s a privilege to be part of their creative journey and help shape future designers who will impact the built environment in meaningful ways.
5. What is your approach to advising students as a program advisor? How do you guide them in making important career decisions?
My approach is always student-centered. I listen first, understanding their goals, concerns, and passions. From there, I guide them through their options with honesty and encouragement, using my own experiences in the program as a reference point. I aim to help them see both the big picture and the practical steps they can take to move forward in their careers.
6. Looking back on your Yorkville journey, what advice would you give to current students in the Interior Design program?
Trust the process and don’t be afraid to ask questions. This program will challenge you, but that’s where growth happens. Stay open-minded, seek feedback, and remember that design is a journey of discovery, not just of spaces, but of yourself as well.
7. How do you envision the future of the Interior Design program at Yorkville, and what role do you see yourself playing in that vision?
I see the program continuing to evolve with the industry, embracing sustainability, innovation, and diversity in design thinking. As someone who has experienced the program from both sides, I hope to keep contributing to its growth by bridging the gap between faculty and students, and by helping ensure that the program remains both relevant and inspiring.
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Trushanti Shirodkar, Class of 2023 – Now serving as a Program Advisor in the BID program
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in interior design, and how did your education at Yorkville University shape your path?
From a young age, I’ve been drawn to spaces that tell a story—how light, texture, and layout can evoke emotion and influence behavior. Growing up, I spent a lot of time watching my father, who is an architect, design and develop drawings. His passion for creating thoughtful, functional spaces left a lasting impression on me and sparked my own interest in design.
After completing my undergraduate degree in my home country and working in the interior design industry for a few years, I realized I wanted to deepen my knowledge and broaden my international perspective. That’s what led me to pursue higher education, and Yorkville University stood out as the perfect place to take that next step.
My time at Yorkville was foundational in shaping my path. The program offered not only strong theoretical knowledge but also practical, real-world applications. The instructors— who brought years of industry experience into the classroom—challenged and inspired me to think critically and design with purpose. That combination of personal influence, professional experience, and academic growth gave me the confidence to fully embrace a career in interior design.
2. What motivated you to come back to Yorkville to work as a program advisor after graduating?
Coming back to Yorkville felt like a full-circle moment. I had such a positive and transformative experience as a student, and I wanted to give back to the community that helped launch my career. Even while I was studying, I found myself drawn to the academic environment—not just learning but being part of it in a more meaningful way. I’ve always been interested in working in academia, especially in a role where I could support and guide students.
Becoming a program advisor felt like the perfect opportunity to do just that. I saw a chance to help students navigate both the academic and emotional ups and downs of pursuing a creative profession. It’s incredibly fulfilling to be able to offer guidance that’s rooted in firsthand experience, and to play a small part in helping them shape their futures with confidence and clarity.
3. What skills and experiences from your time in the Bachelor of Interior Design program do you rely on in your current position?
Time management, communication, and critical thinking are just a few of the skills I lean daily. The program emphasized collaboration, the design process, and meeting deadlines, all of which are essential in my role as an advisor.
As someone who has gone through the same program, I have a deeper understanding of the questions, challenges, and concerns students face. I know firsthand what it’s like to balance studio work with theory courses, manage feedback from critiques, and keep pushing creatively under pressure. That experience allows me to connect with students on a more personal level and offer advice that is both relevant and realistic. I often draw on my own studio experiences when helping students set goals, stay motivated, or work through creative blocks.
4. What is your approach to advising students as a program advisor? How do you guide them in making important career decisions?
My approach is centered around empathy, encouragement, and honest dialogue. I aim to meet each student where they are, listen to their aspirations, and help them align their academic journey with their long-term goals. Whether it’s choosing courses, preparing for internships, or exploring niche career paths, I encourage students to be proactive and self-aware.
5. Looking back on your Yorkville journey, what advice would you give to current students in the Interior Design program?Use your time at Yorkville to experiment, ask questions, and truly absorb feedback. The program is what you make of it, so stay curious, connect with your peers and instructors, and take advantage of every resource available to you. And most importantly: trust your creative voice.
6. How do you envision the future of the Interior Design program at Yorkville, and what role do you see yourself playing in that vision?
I see the Interior Design program at Yorkville continuing to grow in innovation, diversity, and interdisciplinary collaboration. As design evolves with technology and changing client needs, I hope to contribute to a curriculum and student experience that stays ahead of the curve. My role, as I see it, is to help shape a Yorkville experience that students will carry with them long after graduation. I want to ensure their time here is not just about completing assignments or passing courses, but about personal growth, creativity, and meaningful connections. Whether it’s through offering support during challenging times or celebrating small victories, I aim to be a steady presence throughout their journey. My hope is that when students look back on their time at Yorkville, they remember feeling seen, supported, and truly inspired.
