The IIDA’s first-ever Student of the Year Award has been awarded to Tara Headley, Student IIDA, a SCAD student who has already earned a number of distinctions for her impressive work and volunteerism. Headley is working towards a master’s degree in interior design. The award, which honors students “whose insight, involvement and leadership have significantly impacted their school’s interior design program,” presents Headley with $5,000 and a 2016 IIDA membership.

Headley has earned Outstanding Achievement Award, Chair’s Award for the Most Outstanding Senior Project, and Outstanding Service Project of the Year, and is an active volunteer, serving as secretary and president of the Student ASID/IIDA Chapter, and as an active IIDA Student and Committee Member. Headley has participated in the IIDA Georgia Dressed committee and the graphics committee for the 2015 IIDA Leaders Breakfast in Atlanta, and was recently awarded the 2015 IIDA Best of the Best Award for “Innovation in Design,” as well as the IIDA Best of the Best Award in 2014 for “Social Relevance in Design.” She has received the NEWH Atlanta Chapter Scholarship and the NEWH International ICON of Industry Award.

Award winner and SCAD student Tara Headley

“As I read through Tara’s letters of recommendation from her professors and various other interior design professionals within the Atlanta region, the words that were repeatedly used to describe Tara were ‘commitment,’ ‘determination,’ ‘prepared,’ ‘motivated,’ ‘kind,’ ‘considerate,’ and ‘leader,’” said Julio Braga, FIIDA, President, IIDA International Board of Directors. “Tara embodies all that we envisioned the Student of the Year to be. She is deeply dedicated to design and has the potential to become a strong leader and a driving force in the interior design industry.”

Cheryl Durst, Hon. FIIDA, LEED AP, IIDA Vice President and CEO, shared that sentiment, saying, “Tara’s portfolio of projects shows the creativity and passion for design that we were looking for in our Student of the Year. Her projects portray enthusiasm, energy, and innovation, while also walking the fine line of being culturally relevant. A number of Tara’s projects showed an attempt to bridge cultural divides and bring about understanding between different groups of people, which shows great compassion and inspiration in her work. Tara was a greatly impressive nominee and we are thrilled to name her our IIDA Student of the Year.”

Learn more about the award online.