Everything Nac

Stephen F. Austin State University and Houston Community College will kick off the semester and their interior design partnership with an open house showcasing HCC’s Central campus facilities from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19 in the Learning Hub Building, Room 100, on the HCC Central campus.

Students, faculty, staff, interior design alumni and community members are invited to attend the free event.

Sally Ann Swearingen, SFA associate professor of interior design, said the event is a celebration.

“We are excited to celebrate this collaboration and welcome the incoming class to this unique program,” Swearingen said. “The open house will provide a great opportunity to network and familiarize students with the campus.”

The two institutions began a partnership in 2017 that allows HCC students the opportunity to earn their bachelor’s degree in interior design from SFA while remaining at the HCC campus.

Students who have graduated from HCC in interior design and have completed the core course requirements have the opportunity to enroll in the last 42 hours of SFA interior design courses either online or face-to-face on the HCC campus. Also, the partnership allows a fast-track approach with 78 approved HCC course hours that transfer to SFA.

Students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree in interior design at an accredited university such as SFA are allowed to take the first portion of the National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam, which is the industry’s professional certification. After six months of experience, students will be able to take the final portion of the exam, Swearingen said.

For more information, visit sfasu.edu/hms/103.asp or hccs.edu/sfa/.

Event parking will be available at the garage located on La Branch and Alabama streets.

By Kasi Dickerson, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.