Ordia honored with IDEC Teaching Excellence Award

The College of Architecture is pleased to announce Assistant Professor Kendra Ordia was honored with the 2023 Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) Teaching Excellence Award! Ordia was awarded this accolade because of her efforts in crafting nature-integrated interiors through biophilic experiential learning methodology in teaching studios. This award recognizes her success in the development and delivery of educational experience that has yielded exceptional student learning. This is the second time in the last three years that a UNL interior design faculty member has earned this prestigious honor.

The IDEC awards committee is made up of selected participants and previous awardees knowledgeable in the area of interior design education. The society places special emphasis on participants whose backgrounds are currently under-represented in management roles in the interior design industry. IDEC is recognized as a leading association and authority on interior design education and strives for the advancement of interior design education, scholarship and service.

“Behind every extraordinary educational institution lies a team of exceptional individuals. This is exemplified by Kendra Ordia’s latest Teaching Excellence Award from IDEC,” said Interior Design Director Lindsey Bahe. “This honor from our peers, acknowledges Ordia’s achievements and serves as a validation of her skills, expertise and contributions to our program, our students and the trajectory of the interior design field.”

Considered as a rising star in interior design education, Ordia has earned numerous accolades during her tenure at the college including the American Society of Interior Designers’ 2020 Ones to Watch Scholars list. She was one of eight interior design professionals and the only instructor from higher education named nationally to this prestigious list.

“During Kendra’s time here, I have seen her work enrich the legacy of teaching excellence in our program and the positive impact she has had on the growth and caliber of work exhibited by our students,” said Bahe. “I eagerly look forward to witnessing Kendra’s continued contributions to the study and education of the interior design discipline.”