A Diverse Community of Creatives
NYSID students come from diverse backgrounds. They hail from more than 30 countries and 20 states. This diversity brings a broad array of styles, cultures, and perspectives to NYSID student life. What they share is a passion for interior design and the drive to make a career out of it. Student activities at NYSID revolve around events for socializing and having fun, exploring New York City, and enhancing life as a professional designer.
Student Activities:
Social Events: The fall semester begins with a kick-off party and continues with other seasonal themed events throughout the year, such as Broadway shows, ice skating in Central Park, NYC landmarks tours, and boat cruises around Manhattan.
Group Trips: Students travel to places like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater in Pennsylvania, Kykuit: The Rockefeller Estate in the Hudson Valley, Grand Central Station, Philip Johnson’s The Glass House, and the Morgan Library and Museum.
Student Activities Calendar
Past Student Activities
Personal/Professional Development Programs
The Lunch & Learn series brings prominent designers, architects, and experts in the field to the campus for intimate discussions with our students. Recent guests include interior designers Alexa Hampton, Jamie Drake and Laura Hodges.
The Supporting the Whole Designer series teaches the life skills designers need to thrive, from time-management to public speaking. The NYSID Counseling Center curates this series.
Alumni Mentorship Programs
NYSID offers two alumni mentorship programs each academic year. These programs are structured to assist in the growth and development of a student’s life at key stages of their educational journey through mentorships with alumni working in the design industry. Each program will provide support to the student and offer an opportunity for an exchange of ideas. Students selected for these programs gain rich and rewarding experiences that will enhance their educational experience.
Alumni Mentorship Program: Navigating the Classroom provides an opportunity for students in both undergraduate and graduate programs in the initial stages of study. The goal of the partnership is for the alum to support the student as a whole, providing coaching on classes, goal setting, acclimation to the programs and an introduction to the industry.
Alumni Mentorship Program: Life Beyond the Classroom and Graduation provides an opportunity for students in their last year of study to prepare for life beyond the classroom. The goal of this partnership is to strengthen and assist in preparations for graduation and next steps for the student providing enhanced engagement in the design industry and support in professional development and networking.
Community Service
NYSID’s relationships with area non-profits enable students to share their design skills with those in need and assist with re-building struggling communities. NYSID is involved with such organizations as Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA), Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity, Mary Manning Walsh Home, Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, New York Cares, Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, and Holiday House.
Health & Wellness
The Counseling Center: NYSID’s New York State licensed psychologist, Rebecca Yu, Psy.D., provides free counseling and support services to students.
The Health & Wellness Festival: a week of offerings designed to stimulate visual creativity and relieve stress. Take yoga, get a massage, visit with dogs from New York Therapy Animals, and attend lectures on topics from nutrition to sleep.
Student Clubs & Organizations
NYSID has active student organizations that support diverse interests, promote student involvement, and encourage leadership opportunities. These clubs and associations help students connect to each other as well as to the global and local interior design community.
The Asian American Pacific Islander Design Alliance Student Chapter at NYSID (AAPIDA X NYSID) is the first student chapter for the Asian American Pacific Islander Design Alliance, an organization and collective that engages, promotes, and empowers Asians, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders working within the home and design industries to foster visibility, collaboration, and representation industry-wide. All students, regardless of ethnicity/identity, are welcome to join the AAPIDA Student Chapter, whether as AAPIs or allies. Contact the AAPIDA X NYSID at AAPIDA@nysid.edu.
Black Design Collective (BDC) is a student organization that fosters a sense of belonging and empowerment amongst the student body at NYSID and provides a platform for Black student members to engage in meaningful discussions, share their experiences, discover local Black makers, artists, and designers, and collaborate with industry professionals to establish relationships. Student members will be supported by an all-inclusive membership and executive board however with emphasis on supporting those who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Contact the BDC at BDC@nysid.edu.
Graduate Student Association represents the interests and needs of NYSID graduate students by serving as a liaison between students and the NYSID faculty and administration, working towards enhancing the overall student experience. The association also organizes and sponsors a variety of events throughout the academic year. Follow us on Instagram.
Undergraduate Student Association functions as the voice of the student body and is the primary forum through which student concerns are brought to the attention of the College’s administration. The association also organizes and sponsors events throughout the academic year.