CV - 2024
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Rachel Plybon Beach
Rachel Plybon Beach
1528 Falls Drive, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505 ~ (304) 382-3255 ~ rplybonbeach@gmail.com
"Design is a plan for arranging elements in such a way as best to accomplish a particular purpose."
Designer, Charles Eames
EDUCATION
Undergraduate
1992 BA University of Charleston, Carleton Varney School of Art & Design
Interior Design
Graduate
15CH 4.0 GPA at West Virginia University, Instructional Design & Technology (Program closed)
TBD Western Governors University to complete Master in Instructional Design
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS AND POSITIONS
West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
College of Creative Arts & Media, School of Art & Design: Interior Architecture Program
2025 - to present: Teaching Assistant Professor, Interior Architecture Program
2024 - 2025: Adjunct Professor, Interior Architecture Program - ID305 3CH
Pierpont Community & Technical College, Fairmont WV
2018 - 2024: Program Coordinator of Applied Design, School of Business, Aviation & Technology
2014 - 2018: Program Coordinator for Interior Design and Design Assistant Concentrations
2015: Promoted to Assistant Professor of Applied Design
2011 - 2014: Program Coordinator for Interior Design Concentration, School of Human Services
2010: Hired as Instructor for Applied Design teaching full time, Student Chapter Faculty Advisor for A.S.I.D. Student Chapter
MAJOR FIELDS OF TEACHING DESIGN: Continuous improvement of design learning pedagogy
Interior Architecture: Teaching interior architecture is defined by an approach that merges the technical and structural knowledge of architecture with the human-centered, aesthetic, and functional principles of interior design. This pedagogy trains students to transform and reuse existing structures and design new interior environments from the "inside out," with a strong emphasis on environmental & sustainability and human well-being.
Interior Design: Full Programming ranging from client relations through design process and programming to execution of project install; software applications of Sketchup, AutoCAD, and REVIT; engineering graphics of traditional drawing development, rendering techniques, and presentation development; History of Architecture and Design, emphasis on principles & elements of design
Fashion Merchandising & Modeling: Sketching techniques in Fashion Illustration, Croquis, and Flats; Production process, Visual Merchandising, Product Promotion from supply chain to consumer satisfaction, History of Fashion including the cycles and trends, emphasis on principles & elements of design
Applied Design: Introduction to the textile industries, product specifications and pricing, professional applications of Social Media use and consumer interaction, the value of Design Thinking to develop innovative human-centered solutions, senior capstone work in final preparation to enter professional workforce with resume and portfolio of work
RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE
Contract and Pro-Bono for Pierpont Community & Technical College, Fairmont WV
2013 - 2024 Full Program Design Services for variety of facility projects and event planning
2021 3rd Floor ATC Build out Proposal and recipient of international recognition for Hospitality Interior Design LIV Award
Commercial Interior Designer
2004 - 2009 West Virginia Division of Culture & History, State Museum in Charleston, WV
Title: In-House Design Consultant and Draftsman for the West Virginia State Museum Renovation Project: 27,000 Sf.
Superior: Secretary Kay Goodwin
2003 - 2004 Coldwater Creek Distribution Center, Mineral Wells, WV
Title: Assistant in HR and Engineering (Schematics for 500,000 Sf. Distribution Center Addition)
1996 - 2003 Independent Contractor by Retainer for Design Resources, Lexington, KY
Title: Interior Design Support for Full-Service Design Commercial Interior Design Projects
Top Clients: Ashland, Inc., Lexington VAMC, and TRANE Co.
Superior: Barbara Gower, Owner
2001 - 2003 I D & A, Inc., Louisville, KY
Title: Interior Designer, Systems Furniture
Top Clients: Tempur-pedic Headquarters, Louisville VAMC, Toyota Georgetown
1992 - 1996 Contemporary Galleries of WV, Charleston, WV
Title: Senior Interior Designer, Systems Furniture primarily for hospitals, offices, and government
Top Clients: Huntington VAMC, CAMC Hospitals, Clarksburg VAMC, OVMC Hospital, US Postal Service
COURSES TAUGHT
Interior Architecture (Design)
105 Introduction to Interior Architecture 2025 F
215
216
250 History of Architectural Interiors I 2025 F
366 Advanced Architectural Graphics Studio 2: 2025S
365 Advanced Architectural Interior Design 2: 2025S
265 Architectural Interior Design & Graphics Studio 2: 2025S
205 Introduction to Architectural Building Technology: 2025S
305 Adv. Architectural Building Technology: 2024F
Interior Design
Introduction to Interior Design: 2010 - 2024
Residential Design: 2010 - 2018
Kitchen & Bath Design: 2010 - 2018
Design in Interior Furnishings: 2011 - 2024
Contract Design: 2010 - 2024
Advanced Contract Design: 2020 - 2024
Construction Details & Design: 2016 - 2021
Codes & Specifications in Interior Environments: 2019 - 2024
BIM (Building Information Modeling) in Interiors: 2019 - 2024
Engineering Graphics
Fundamentals of AutoCAD: F2023 -F2024, F2025
Architectural Design (Intro to REVIT): F2023 - F2024
Fashion Merchandising
Introduction to Fashion Business: 2010-12, 2015-16, 2018 - 2024
Visual Merchandising: 2011-14, 2018 - 2024
Apparel Design I: 2011-12, 2018 - 2023
Fashion Accessories: 2019 - 2023
History of Costume Design: 2019 - 2023
Retail & Apparel Merchandising: 2024
Applied Design
Design in Social Media: 2015 - 2018
Design Thinking: 2015-18, 2022-2024
Textiles: 2019 - 2024
Applied Design Capstone: 2010 - 2024
ADVISING
2018 - 2024 Advisor for the Applied Design Program
2015 - 2018 Advisor for the Applied Design Program's Concentrations in Interior Design and Design Assistant
2011 - 2014 Advisor for the Applied Design Program's Concentration in Interior Design
PROGRAM COORDINATION
2018 - 2024 Program Coordinator for the Applied Design Program
Responsibilities:
1) Report directly to the Dean of Instruction
2) Coordinate recruitment efforts for programs within their area
3) Develop, implement, and supervise special projects and internships
4) Contribute to program review reports for programs within their area
5) Recommend program brochure revisions to the Dean of Instruction
6) Communicate strategic facility, equipment, and software needs to the Dean of Instruction
7) Assist other program faculty in the development of proposals to improve class instruction
8) Recruit and assist part-time instructors for classes within their program area
9) Coordinate Adjuncts and LMS of Courses
10) Coordinate End of Semester Course Assessments and Reports
SUCCESS RATES (End of Program Testing)
2013 - 2020
Students in the Interior Design concentration successfully completed the national testing from the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences for Interior Design & Decorating upon graduation.
Exceeding the national average.
SERVICE TO THE COLLEGE
2019 - present serving on WVU Fashion Design Advisory Board
2024-25 Chair of Media & Learning Committee
2024 Interim Director of the Pierpont STREAM Maker Camp (link below)
2023-2024 Curriculum Committee
2023-2025 Vice President of Faculty Senate
2023-2024 General Education Committee
2023-2024 Chair of Online Learning Committee
2023 Staff for the Pierpont STREAM Maker Camp
2022-2023 Vice President of Faculty Senate
2022-2023 Chair of the Faculty Development Committee
2022-2023 Curriculum Committee
2022-2023 General Education Committee
2022-2023 Ad Hoc on the update to the Senate By Laws (committee restructure)
2022-2023 Faculty & Staff Resource Mentor
2022-2023 Faculty Senate Vice President
2022 Volunteer for the Pierpont STREAM Maker Camp
School of BAT - Senator for 2022-2024
2021-2022 Curriculum Committee:
2021-2022 General Education Committee:
2021-2022 Legislative Advocacy
2021-2022 Faculty Senate Secretary
2021-2022 Facilities - President's Committee
2020-2021 Ad Hoc Blackboard E-Learning Committee
2020-2021 Faculty Senate Secretary
2020-2021 Legislative Advocacy
2020-2022 Faculty Senate Rep for School of BAT
2019-2021 Curriculum Committee
2019-2021 General Education Committee (due to implementing assessment practices)
2019-2021 Faculty Welfare Committee
2019-2020 Legislative Support Committee
2019-2020 Faculty Senate Secretary filling position for mid-year vacancy
2018-2021 Student Disability Services Faculty Group
2018 Website Taskforce Member
2018 - 2020 Curriculum Committee
2017 - 2019 Legislative Support Committee
2016 - 2018 Faculty Senate, School of Human Services Rep.
2017 - 2019 General Education Committee
Ad Hoc Chair of Written Communication
2016 School of Human Services Committee on Course Content Interface
2016 Senate Ad Hoc Committee on LMS Comparison Bb vs Moodle
2015 Marketing Committee with BOG
2014 - 2016 Faculty Senate, School of Human Services Rep.
2014 - 2016 Legislative Support Committee
2013 Planning Committee for Hosting WV CTC & WV ADE Annual Conference
2013 Facilities Committee on department/program move to Veterans' Square
2012 - 2014 Faculty Senate, School of Human Services Rep.
2012-2014 Julia Pierpont Society
2012 Hiring Committee for Institution Webmaster
2011 Faculty Handbook Committee
2011 Pierpont Pride designs for awards - Julia and Francis
2010-present Faculty Advisor to Student ASID Chapter
Presentations (1)
Plybon-Beach, Rachel (2024 May 18), Celebrating 100 Years of Dorothy Draper, Annual Meeting of West Virginia Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (WVAFCS) Members, Fairmont, WV
Plybon-Beach, Rachel (2023 July 20), "Quality Design when Quality Matters: That is a "Wicked" Course!" at the Leading the Way for Innovation and Change WV State Technology Conference (WVSTC), Morgantown, WV
Plybon-Beach, Rachel (2020 September), Industrial Hem, Monthly Meeting of West Virginia Life Long Learners of Marion County, Fairmont, WV
Plybon-Beach, Rachel (2019 April), Design thinking in education solutions "Is Education...Wicked?", Annual Meeting of West Virginia Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (WVAFCS) Members, Roanoke, WV
Plybon-Beach, Rachel (2017 July 18-19), Navigating the Path to Digital Literacy, WVSTC, Morgantown, WV
Plybon-Beach, Rachel (2017 July 26-27), Digital Literacies in Higher Education, State Conference; Student Success Summit, Morgantown, WV
Newcome PhD, Beth; Plybon-Beach, Rachel (2016 March 17-18), Getting the Village on Board, East Coast Regional Conference; QM Quality State of Mind at Berkeley College, New York, NY
Plybon-Beach, Rachel (2016 August), Sensory Design in the Classroom, Professional Development Week at Pierpont Comm & Tech College; Fairmont, WV
Newcome PhD, Beth; Plybon-Beach, Rachel (2016 September 26 - 27), How my Hybrid Courses Became Blended. Moving QM from One Class to an Entire Program, WV Higher Education Technology Conference; "Transform Technology: Share, Educate, Secure” Morgantown, WV
Plybon-Beach, Rachel (2016 September 26 - 27), Insightful Ways to Use Google Education Sites, WV Higher Education Technology Conference; "Transform Technology: Share, Educate, Secure” Morgantown, WV
Plybon-Beach, Rachel (2015 October), Poster Session; Student Success with Technology - Design in Social Media, WVHETC; Morgantown, WV
Plybon-Beach, Rachel (2015 November 11 - 13), Presentation; Student Success with Technology - Design in Social Media, WVCCA & WVADE Joint Annual Conference; "Success by Degrees” Charleston, WV
refer to link below for presentations 2011 - 2014 (1)
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