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Faculty

The BCC Interior Design Program maintains the highest standards for instructors, since the quality of instruction is a primary determinant for student learning. All instructors who teach in the program, whether full-time or part-time, must have the educational qualifications to teach at a Washington community college, be successful practicing designers, architects or artists, and be outstanding teachers. Our faculty cares about the students. We work to create a comfortable, supportive, stimulating and challenging atmosphere. The faculty tries to establish class environments that promote collaboration, self-confidence and initiative among students, and works as a team to unify the program and to ease transitions from one course to another. Instructors and courses are evaluated by students, and all instructors are accountable for the relevance and success of their courses. Most important, our instructors enjoy teaching and consider it a privilege to be part of the development of future design professionals.

Introduction to Our Full-Time Faculty

The members of our faculty have been carefully selected to work closely together as a team. They are dedicated instructors as well as competent working professionals. The full-time faculty members serve as student advisors, run the department on a day-to-day basis, and coordinate and supervise a team of adjunct faculty members who have expertise in specific areas.

  • Dan Beert , IDEC, IIDA; BFA Studio Art/Interior Design, Northern Illinois University; MA Interior Design and Facilities Management, Michigan State University. Program chair and full-time instructor, teaches Interior Design 160, 162, 165, 261, 271 and special topics in computer-aided design and digital graphics; Practicum program advisor; advises Interior Design majors.
  • Connie Wais, IDEC, IIDA; B.A. Art/Interior Design, California State University Northridge. Full-time instructor, teaches Interior Design 140, 150, 151, 185, 185, 272, and Interdisciplinary Studies 125; online curriculum specialist; Curriculum advisor for program.
  • Michael Culpepper, AIA, IDEC, B.A. Architecture, Mississippi State Univ.; M.F.A. Cranbrook Academy of Art. Full-Time Instructor, teaches Interior Design 160, 170, 260, 270, 271; Interior Design Student Association advisor; advises Interior Design majors.
  • Peter Benarcik, B.S. Design, B.Arch. Architecture, The Catholic University of America; M.S. Industrial Design (Environmental Design), Art Center College of Design. Full-time instructor, teaches Interior Design 152, 170, 260,270; advises Interior Design majors.