UCA Interior Design Program

✨SENIOR SPOTLIGHT | ALEJANDRA ROBLES✨

About Section: Hi! My name is Alejandra Robles. I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but raised in Little Rock, Arkansas. I am a first-generation college graduate in my family, and I chose interior design because of my dad, who has always had a liking for building and creating. Watching him inspired me to appreciate how spaces come together and the process of making something from nothing. I also enjoy the creative side of design, especially selecting materials, furniture, and colors to shape a space. Being part of the Interior Design program at UCA has made me love design even more.

Awards, Certifications, and Achievements:
* Served as Director of Communications for the ASID Student Chapter,
* Recognized on the Dean's List for academic excellence
* Earned a CIDA certified Project

Internship: I'll be interning with Evo Business Environments in North Little Rock, and I'm super excited to get started! I'm really looking forward to learning more about what they do, getting hands-on experience, and seeing how everything works in a real design setting.

Favorite UCA IDSN Experience: My favorite experience in the Interior Design program at UCA has definitely been the friendships I've made along the way. Being part of ASID was also a huge highlight. It was so fun getting involved, attending events, and meeting designers in the field. Those experiences, along with the support from classmates and faculty, made my time in the program really memorable.

What's Next: After graduation, I will be starting my internship with Evo Business Environments. I plan to stay in Arkansas for a few more years to gain experience and continue growing as a designer. I'm especially interested in working in commercial design or furniture design.

UCA College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
UCA Interior Design Program
UCA Department of Art & Design
University of Central Arkansas

✨SENIOR SPOTLIGHT | CAITLIN DICKERSON✨

About Me: Hi! I'm Caitlin, a senior interior design student at UCA with a lifelong love for creativity, whether that's painting, sewing, music, or building something from scratch. I'm originally from Arkansas and have always been drawn to spaces that bring people together and create meaningful experiences.

I actually started college as a biology major (plot twist), but after discovering how design can impact people's lives, health, and sense of belonging, I knew I had found my path. Now, I'm passionate about designing with empathy, creating spaces that are not only beautiful, but purposeful, sustainable, and deeply human-centered.

Outside of the studio, I stay busy performing live music, leading as ASID Student Chapter President and Student Representative to the South Central Board. I love coffee shop hopping, long creative nights in the lab, and finding inspiration in everyday moments.
For me, interior design is a way to connect, tell stories, and leave the world better than I found it.

Awards/Certifications/Achievements:
• President, ASID Student Chapter (UCA)
• Student Representative to the Professional ASID Chapter Board
• ASID National Portfolio Competition - Semi-Finalist
• ASID South Central Chapter Student Design Competition - 7 Awards, specifically earning a gold in Residential Small and Portfolio
• Georg Andersen Interior Design Scholarship Recipient

Internship: I interned at ImageWorks Commercial Interiors, where I explored how research drives meaningful design. I spent time learning Steelcase products and how furniture supports both space and user experience. Through job site visits, client meetings, and hands-on work in CET, I gained insight into the full design process and even contributed to material selections. One of my favorite takeaways was learning about "fly on the wall" research, observing how people naturally interact with spaces, and using those insights to create more thoughtful, human-centered design solutions.

Favorite Moments: My favorite experience at UCA IDSN has been leading the ASID Student Chapter. Through that role, we were able to create meaningful, real experiences for other students, and it truly became the highlight of my college career.
Through the program, I've had the opportunity to attend industry events like ASID GATHER in both Denver and Atlanta, where I gained national insight and connected with professional designers. I also traveled to NeoCon and Design Days in Chicago, and explored iconic Frank Lloyd Wright homes and other influential architecture experiences I never imagined having before joining this program.

But beyond travel and professional growth, the relationships have meant the most. My classmates and I have built such strong friendships, and my professors have poured so much into me and my education. I truly feel like I received an experience here that I wouldn't have found anywhere else.

And as cliché as it sounds, the late nights in the lab will always stick with me. The laughter, the inside jokes, the moments of connection. What once felt impossible became something I genuinely loved, and it's what I'll miss the most.

What's Next: I'm excited to share that I've accepted a full-time position with Image Works Commercial Interiors as a Design Experience Coordinator! I'm incredibly grateful to be continuing my journey with a team that has already played such a meaningful role in my growth. I'm looking forward to building on my passion for research-driven, human-centered design and continuing to learn, collaborate, and create impactful spaces in the professional world.

UCA College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
UCA Interior Design Program
University of Central Arkansas
UCA Department of Art & Design
ImageWorks Commercial Interiors