National & International Recognition

Design Competitions & Juried Awards

• 2026 — Deborah Wroblewski (MFA): First Place, IIDA Student Design Competition. Coverage: GW Today.
• 2026 — Grace Becton (MFA): Third Place, IIDA Student Design Competition. Coverage: GW Today.
• 2026 — Gabby Gilden (MFA): Honorable Mention, IIDA Student Design Competition. Coverage: GW Today.
• 2026 — Deborah Wroblewski (MFA): Winner, ASID Student Portfolio Competition.
• 2026 — Deborah Wroblewski (MFA): Named to the METROPOLIS Future100. Coverage: GW Today.
• 2026 — Izzy Rasmussen (BFA): METROPOLIS Future100, Interior Design Undergraduate Winner.
• 2024 — Taylor Sallis (MFA ’24): Finalist, ASID National Student Portfolio Competition.
• 2023 — Josef Beal, Diana Galvez, Aytan Muradzade, Ilayda Sakalli and Maya Rao (MFA/MA), with faculty advisor Professor Erin Speck: Third Place, IDEC Video Student Design Competition (Interior Design Educators Council).
• 2023 — Julia Winne (MFA ’23): Finalist, 19th Annual Design Within Reach Champagne Chair Competition.
• 2022 — Cece Witherspoon (MFA): Honorable Mention (top 10), Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition.
• 2021 — Emma Zihal, Mary Baker and Nengi Ikoli (BFA): Extended Home Award, Arch Out Loud Shelter Competition.
• 2021 — Gerry Zhang, Kimberly Ortega and Melika Sizar (BFA): Honorable Mention, Extended Home Award, Arch Out Loud Shelter Competition.
• 2021 — Bryce Delaney (MFA): Honorable Mention (top 10), Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition.
• 2020 — Sophia DeNezza (BFA): Semi-finalist (top 5), Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition.
• 2020 — Brynn Jacoby Orban (MFA): Honorable Mention (top 10), Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition.
• 2020 — Yi-Chen Chang (MFA ’21): Named to the METROPOLIS Future100.
• 2019 — Hannah Gilberson (MFA): Semi-finalist (top 5), Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition.
• 2018 — Amanda Karacsony (BFA): Honorable Mention (top 10), Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition.
• 2017 — Andrea Paton-Ash and Brianne Beal (MFA): Finalists, Bienenstock Furniture Library Interior Design Competition.
• 2017 — Laurel Ganem (MFA): Nominated participant, Student Design Charrette at NeoCon, Chicago.
• 2017 — Amie Vandersluis (MFA): Selected participant, National Student Summit.
• 2014 — Molly Dunn (BFA): Fourth Place, Durkan Carpet Competition.
• 2013 — Carly Lisnow and Samantha Blancato (BFA): Honorable Mentions, Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition.
• 2013 — Jasmine Callender and James Michaud (BFA): Second Place, All American House Show House Competition (Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey).
• 2011 — Yau Cheung (BFA): Winner, national Durkan Design Competition.
• 2010 — Rich Villalon (MFA): Third Place, national Chandelier Design Competition.
• 2010 — Beth Chadkin (BFA): Third Place, NEWH Design Competition.
• 2009 — Graduate Institutional Studio: Winner, international Healthcare Environments Award.
• 2008 — Charlotte Bravo (BFA): Winner, national ASID Student Design Competition.

Fellowships & Scholarships

• 2026 — Hannah Payne (MFA): Selected as the HKS Health Interiors Fellow.
• 2025 — Josef Beal (MFA ’24): IIDA Foundation Diversity in Design Scholarship.
• 2021 — Zoe Nystrom (MFA): NEWH Scholarship (The Hospitality Industry Network).
• 2021 — Melika Sizar (BFA): NEWH Scholarship (The Hospitality Industry Network).
• 2015 — Christina Colucci (MFA): SmithGroup Scholarship Award.
• 2015 — Eliza McNabb (MFA): Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation Scholarship Award.
• 2014 — Lena Ghannam (MFA): Greenbuild Scholarship.
• 2014 — Jennifer Hicks (MFA): Finalist, national Gensler Brinkmann Scholarship Competition.
• 2013 — Neala Jacobs (MFA): Finalist, national Gensler Brinkmann Scholarship Competition.
• 2013 — Carly Lisnow (BFA): CIEE Study Abroad Scholarship.
• 2012 — Eliana Lee (MFA): NEWH Scholarship Competition.
• 2011 — Nancy Hardy (MFA): Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellowship.
• 2011 — Renee Golding (MFA): NEWH Scholarship Competition.
• 2011 — Jenilee Henninger (MFA): Finalist, national Gensler Brinkmann Scholarship Competition.
• 2010 — Rich Villalon (MFA): NEWH Scholarship Competition.

Faculty Recognition

• 2024 — Professor Benjamin Ames: Grand Award, Home & Design 2024 Design Excellence Awards.
• 2023 — Professor Alex Donahue: Good Design Award.
• 2020 — Professor Alex Donahue: Good Design Award and IDA Gold Design Award.
• 2019 — Professor Stephanie Travis: Design Principles & Practices International Award for Excellence.

Regional & Chapter Recognition

• 2026 — Shuree Batbold (MFA): IIDA Mid-Atlantic Student Award.
• 2025 — Izzy Rasmussen (BFA): IIDA Mid-Atlantic Chapter Student Award.
• 2023 — Anna Helsel (MFA ’23): IIDA Mid-Atlantic Chapter Student Design Award.
• 2022 — Soorin Chung, Natalie Combs and Melany McGillvray (MFA): IIDA Illinois Chapter Student RED Award.
• 2018 — Amanda Karacsony (BFA): Award of Honor, IIDA Mid-Atlantic Student Awards — Studio 3 project Potager du Roi Rotatoire.
• 2018 — Sydney Meister (BFA): Award of Merit, IIDA Mid-Atlantic Student Awards — Studio 4 project NEXT Proxemic Office Space.
• 2016 — Brianne Beal (MFA): Michael B. Klein Memorial Student Scholarship (Illuminating Engineering Society).
• 2015 — Karen Purifoy (MFA): Michael B. Klein Memorial Student Scholarship (Illuminating Engineering Society).
• 2014 — Team Capitol DC, Harvest Home: Presidential Citation in Sustainable Design, AIA|DC Chapter Design Awards. The US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon house was built by a joint Catholic University, GW and American University team; GW’s contribution drew on the Interior Design, Landscape Design and Engineering programs.
• 2014 — Lena Ghannam (MFA): HKS Architects Mid-Atlantic Design Fellowship.
• 2014 — Sharece Hall (MFA): Michael B. Klein Memorial Student Scholarship (Illuminating Engineering Society).
• 2013 — Redeit Admassie (MFA): Michael B. Klein Memorial Student Scholarship (Illuminating Engineering Society).
• 2012 — Eliana Lee (MFA): Winner, Healthcare/Institutional category, ASID Washington Metro Student Design Competition.
• 2012 — Rosemarie Kasperson (MFA): Michael B. Klein Memorial Student Scholarship (Illuminating Engineering Society).
• 2010 — Stephen Ramos (MFA): Best in Show, ASID Washington Metro Student Design Competition.
• 2010 — Stephen Ramos (MFA): Michael B. Klein Memorial Student Scholarship (Illuminating Engineering Society).

University Recognition

• 2024 — Ella Kuehnert (BFA ’24): GW Outstanding Academic Achievement Award.
• 2021 — Nedine Ahmed (BFA): Discipline-Based Presentation Winner, GW Research Showcase.
• 2014 — Alyssa Altamirano, Sara Spencer, Carnea Shin, Cristina Ballester, Charlotte Noyes, Madison Lawyer, Raouda Hejazi and Molly Colehower (BFA): Civic Engagement Design Charrette Award.

Program Awards

2026

• Studio Award — Brianna Cole (BFA); Grace Becton (MFA); Taynna Souza Nunes (MA).
• Juror’s Choice Award — Fiona Sekerke and William Smith (BFA); Deborah Wroblewski (MFA); Nailah Kennedy (MA).
• Studio Leadership Award — Jalen Long and Eliza Damon (BFA); Viviana Angel (MFA); Natalie Vierra (MA).
• Share Fund Start-up Scholarship — Kate Bell and Eli Sheahen (BFA); Shelby Romansik (MFA).
• Professional Engagement Award — Gelsie Isgro.

2025

• Studio Award — Natalie Vierra (BFA); Emma Cohen (MFA); Andrea Jimena Fuentes Alvarado (MA).
• Juror’s Choice Award — Izzy Rasmussen and Elinor Nott (BFA); Julia Gordon (MFA).
• Studio Leadership Award — Alex Walkush (BFA); Dena Storck (MFA); Maegan Warner (MA).
• Share Fund Start-up Scholarship — Charlotte Tan (MFA).
• Professional Engagement Award — Jennifer Geiss.

2024

• Studio Award — Ella Kuehnert (BFA); Maya Rao (MFA); Delaney Lindberg (MA).
• Juror’s Choice Award — Mariel Joven (BFA); Veronica Donaton and Taylor Sallis (MFA).
• Studio Leadership Award — Sara Scully (BFA); Alexandra Forman (MFA).
• Share Fund Start-up Scholarship — Justin Liang and Eliza Damon (BFA).
• Professional Engagement Award — Benjamin Ames.
• Alumni Engagement Award — Stephen Ramos (MFA ’10).

2023

• Studio Award — Abbie McGrann and Muskaan Lulla (BFA); McKenzie Silk and Mary Armitrout (MFA); Ilayda Sakalli (MA).
• Juror’s Choice Award — Jane Wilde and Gerry Zhang (BFA); Anna Helsel and Maggie Williams (MFA); Diana Galvez (MA).
• Studio Leadership Award — Abbie McGrann and Kara Livingston (BFA); Salma Alhazemi (MFA); Tegan Smith (MA).
• Share Fund Start-up Scholarship — Izzy Rasmussen and Eleni Deaton (BFA).
• Professional Engagement Award — Kevin Sneed.

2022

• Studio Award — Yerinel Caceres and Arianie Siwady (BFA); Bryce Delaney (MFA).
• Juror’s Choice Award — Qingyuan (Ellen) Ye and Emma Zihal (BFA); Taylor Corzine (MFA).
• Studio Leadership Award — Melika Sizar and Lily Katz (BFA).
• Share Fund Start-up Scholarship — Kathy Campanella and Maya Rao (MFA).
• Professional Engagement Award — David Shove-Brown.
• Alumni Engagement Award — Perla Antoniak (MFA ’15).

2021

• Studio Award — Francisco Cabrera and Caitlin MacGregor (BFA); Brynn Jacoby Orban and Hannah Shafer (MFA).
• Juror’s Choice Award — Caroline Kahn and Alexa Greig (BFA); Mengjiao Wang and Yi-Chen Chang (MFA).
• Juror’s Choice, Honorable Mention — Caitlin MacGregor and Salli Mandel (BFA); Taylor Oosting (MFA).
• Share Fund Start-up Scholarship — Jean Chen, Christine Maysaud and Erik Gonzalez (BFA); Soorin Chung, Anna Helsel and Taylor Corzine (MFA).

2020

• Studio Award — Zoe Moskovitz (BFA); Jordan Jackson (MFA).
• Juror’s Choice Award — Natalia Castilla and Abigail Zola (BFA); Chelsea Schuster and Chelsea Stake (MFA).
• Research Award — Nikki Swart and Emma Zihal (BFA).
• Share Fund Start-up Scholarship — Caitlin MacGregor and Tiana Barkley (BFA); Melany McGillvray and Chloe Snow (MFA).

2019

• Studio Award — Mayyasa Roach (BFA); Chuqui Zheng (MFA).
• Juror’s Choice Award — Anna Kate Kingston and Nastaran Rashidbenam (MFA).
• Research Award — Caroline Boyle (BFA); Suzannah Klein and Lindsey Sydness (MFA).
• Share Fund Start-up Scholarship — Nikki Swart and Emma Zihal (BFA).

2018

• Juror’s Choice Award — Ellen Kim and Amanda Karacsony (BFA).
• Research Award — Aliza Goldsmith and Anna Kate Kingston (MFA).
• Share Fund Start-up Scholarship — Emma Kraus and Anna Savino (BFA); Patrick Walsh and Michaelai Lowe (MFA).

2017

• Studio Award — Sarah Carey (MFA).
• Juror’s Choice Award — Eliza Lavine (BFA); Eliza McNabb (MFA).
• Share Fund Start-up Scholarship — Gabriela Gomez and Nicole Degliomini (BFA); Aliza Goldsmith and Anna Kate Kingston (MFA).

2016

• Studio Award — Aminatou Fall (BFA); Christine LeRoy Stubbs (MFA); Kathryn Knox (MFA), SANParks Design Award.
• Juror’s Choice Award — Kady Murzin (BFA).
• Share Fund Start-up Scholarship — Stephanie Davis and Wei (Kristine) Yu (BFA); Bradley Jones and Sarah Bideau (MFA).
• Copenhagen Travel Scholarship — Stephanie Davis, Gabriela Gomez, Amanda Karacsony and Mia Polokoff (BFA); Christina Colucci, Eliza McNabb and Andrea Paton-Ash (MFA).

2015

• Studio Award — Carly Linslow (BFA); Meghan Scott (MFA).
• Juror’s Choice Award — Margaret Crimmins and Isabella Wright (BFA); Laura Eshelman (MFA).
• Share Fund Start-up Scholarship — Olivia Smith, Zabelle Ghazarian and Anya Konecki (BFA); Sarah Carey, Christina Colucci, Eliza McNabb and Doruk Adali (MFA).

2014

• Juror’s Choice Award — Molly Nostrand (BFA); Becca Landwehr (MFA).
• Share Fund Start-up Scholarship — Aminatou Fall (BFA); Eric Harris and Xuang Fan (MFA).

2013

• Juror’s Choice Award — Julia Coffou (BFA); Ronza Yousef (MFA).

2012

• Studio Award — Celina Wright (BFA).

2011

• Juror’s Choice Award — Renee Golding (MFA).