In teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, I created the courses SMT 207/217 Principles of Sustainable Product Development, SMT 307 Product Visualization, and SMT 407/507 Sustainable Product Development Capstone. These courses help students learn about design history and gain skills to sketch ideas and build prototypes. Additionally, I built relationships with the Sustainable Furniture Council and High Point Market. This partnership allowed me to get student passes for the High Point Furniture Market, which helps our students learn about the latest sustainable trends in home furnishings.

I'm developing an introductory course in sustainable packaging with colleagues in Sustainable and Social Innovations in Packaging Design and Engineering. This course will be key to a concentration in sustainable packaging. Combining design and materials was initially challenging, but it has become a valuable experience for our students.

As creators, our work embodies creative artistry. We focus on developing aesthetic and functional objects we encounter daily. This spans systems, literature, technical manuals, and engaging artwork. As designers, we prioritize beauty, aesthetics, and emotional responses alongside functionality.

The connection to the High Point Furniture Market is through the Sustainable Furniture Council. I designed several seating configurations prioritizing sustainable practices, culminating in a signature piece showcased at the 15th-anniversary celebration of the Sustainable Furniture Council, held in the Culp showroom. This chair incorporates sustainable materials and emphasizes a sustainable design process. It was created to be effortlessly disassembled into each core component section and material, improving transportation efficiency and compatibility. The chair is easy to move and disassembles into core materials for added benefits. You can replace the fabric if you want a new look and recycle the old one. If the springs wear out, reorder and replace them to extend the chair's life.

Crafted from high-quality materials with sustainability in mind, this chair is built to last for generations. It reflects my sustainable design process and research.

I have served on various committees within professional societies and at the university, including those focused on scholarships, faculty hiring, and administrative roles. Additionally, I have participated in the library committee and, more recently, in a committee aimed at enhancing outdoor spaces to be more engaging, sustainable, and visually appealing.

This statement serves as an overview of my professional work and research affiliated with North Carolina State University. I invite you to review this site to gain a comprehensive understanding of the processes involved in the creation, instruction, and research related to sustainable design.