Rebecca Hermance, LEED AP, IDEC

Interior & Product Design, Lecturer

Office: DSCH 306 | Phone: (308) 865-8229 | Email: hermancerl@unk.edu

Biography

Rebecca Hermance’s professional experience includes 6 years as an Elementary teacher, 8 years as the Owner/Interior Designer of Uniquely Yours Interiors, and 2 years as an instructor at Washington State University. She earned the LEED AP Certification for knowledge in green building by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and her WELL Accredited Professional (WELL AP) to advance human health in buildings and communities from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). Memberships are held with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), and the Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC). Contributing to conference proceedings, writing for magazines and trade publications, giving presentations, and earning a grant from the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) are part of her repertoire. Public service includes being a volunteer at the Kearney Area Habitat for Humanity and Workshop organizer for UNK’s Loper Launch Enrichment Camp. Rebecca provides service to UNK by being the Faculty Advisor of the ASID Campus Chapter, the IIDA Campus Chapter, and the Student Interior Design Organization.

Education

M.A., Interior Design, Washington State University Interdisciplinary Design Institute
B.S., Elementary Education, Montana State University

Area of expertise and research

Biophilic design (incorporating nature and natural elements into a space)
Environmental psychology for design (how surroundings affect health and behavior)

My favorite thing about teaching?

Watching students grow throughout their university experience. I love it when I get an email after they have graduated, and they are excited to be doing things with their career that they had only dreamed about as freshmen in Interior and Product Design.

What is your teaching style like?

My teaching style is very hands-on. I incorporate real projects into the classroom whenever possible, so students get a chance to work with clients and obtain experience asking questions that better define the design problem they need to solve. The curriculum is scaffolded so students add to their skills and grow them as they work through progressively difficult projects during their time in our program.