Teaching

Classroom with student projects on walls

Susan taught graduate and undergraduate students as an adjunct professor at Marymount University in Arlington, VA, over nine years. Many of her classes focused on hospitality projects in various locations around the world. She has also coached designers preparing for the NCIDQ licensing exam.   

Her teaching philosophy is rooted in her professional practice, and emphasizes culture, communication, and attention to detail. She works to give students a taste of the “real world” of design, in terms of their end product, knowledge of codes, and emphasis on research, while encouraging their creativity. She teaches both content and process, giving them tools that they can apply to future projects.

Undergraduate Courses:

  • Hospitality design studio

  • Design studio focused on designing for seniors and children

  • Retail design studio

Graduate Courses

  • Hospitality design studios

  • Multi-family design studio, with restaurants and retail

  • Retail design studio

  • Seminar on sustainable design

  • Seminar on design research

  • Seminar on business practices

  • AutoCAD and Revit