Erick Mejia’s fascinating story is adding another chapter as the Ecuadorian-native is now the first in his family to graduate college. Never forgetting his roots, the digital designer looks for ways to include his love of his home culture and country in his work.

“I moved here in 2011, knowing a little bit of English, almost nothing at all. I was missing home every single day, missing Ecuador, and nature,” said Mejia. “Over here, there's not much nature, we have the city, so coming to the city was a big change for me.”

Constance Chu’s passion for interior design started at a young age, assisting her mother — an interior designer — in picking samples and colors. Thanks to this early exposure, Chu trained a design muscle that has evolved into an education and career.

“That's just kind of always been what I've been surrounded by,” said the interior design senior and Albert Dorman scholar. “It instilled in me a sort of eye for design that I've been training over the years like picking out details in spaces that maybe other people don't see, and really understanding what that does to space. 

During her four years at NJIT, Haylee Merola has used her imagination and visualization to create different types of work in her interior design studios. Whether the project was a sci-fi movie, a retail store, an airport lounge or designing clothing for a fashion show, Merola always made sure to add her style.

The Hillier College of Architecture and Design (HCAD) kicked off its year-long celebration of two very important milestones – the 50th year anniversary of the New Jersey School of Architecture and the 15th anniversary of the School of Art & Design. 

The Design Showcase is the college’s flagship fundraising and networking event, which provides a chance for members of the Hillier College community to connect personally and professionally. This year’s event took place in the Jewel Box of One Gateway Center in downtown Newark, made possible by Onyx Equities. 

Ahead of the curve in bringing the science of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to design and on the heels of the Inflation Reduction Act, Environmental Life Cycle Assessment in Design (eLCAd2023) once again draws together a diverse group of educators and professionals in concentrated dialogue to explore the rapidly evolving conjunction of LCA and design.

New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Paul Profeta Real Estate Technology, Design and Innovation Center and the Martin Tuchman School of Management hosted their first “Innovation in Real Estate” symposium, a day featuring academic leaders, government officials and technology, real estate and construction professionals.

Pamela Ospina ’18 was selected and recognized in Interior Design Magazine’s top 30 designers under the age of 30.

Ospina, a Paramus, New Jersey native, works at M Moser Associates in New York City. “I am very appreciative of the opportunities that have been presented to me,” said Ospina. “I work with very talented and inspirational designers that I look up to. This recognition could only have been achieved by the support of my colleagues.”

We were able to have support for one another.

The J. Robert and Barbara A. Hillier College of Architecture and Design (HCAD) Gallery has opened “Troy West: The Architecture and Art of Belonging,” an exhibition that showcases the drawings, sculptures and architectural projects of the late Troy West, RA.

Born in Pittsburgh, West began practicing architecture and art in the late 1950’s, with a specialty in community design advocacy. He moved to Newark, New Jersey in 1973 to become one of the founding faculty at the NJIT School of Architecture. 

Four interior design students won awards at this year’s regional International Interior Design Association Student Design Showcase and Competition.

Okhyun des Lauriers '22, fourth-year student Haylee Merola, third-year student Martina Hanna, and third-year student Caitlin Majewski received awards.

Melissa Nieves ’19 is the recipient of the American Institute of Architects New Jersey 2022 Service Award. Nieves, associate architect for The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, earned her master’s in architecture with a concentration in infrastructure planning. 

“Melissa has had the pleasure of becoming a leader and mentor inside and outside her workplace. She embodies what it means to be an advocate and representative for diversity and mentorship within the profession.” said the AIA.