Lakeland College is proud to announce that its interior design technology (IDT) program earned its 10th Excellence in Education award from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) - a milestone that reflects the program's continued leadership in design education.
"This 10th award is more than just a recognition - it's a celebration of the talent, dedication and innovation that define our students and our faculty," says Rochelle Horne, program head for interior design technology at Lakeland. "We take pride in offering a program that not only teaches the core principles of design but immerses students in realworld, hands-on learning that prepares them to thrive in the industry. Our alumni continue to excel today with their award-winning designs."
Winners of the Excellence in Education award are selected based on submissions from across North America to the NKBA's annual student design competition. The award celebrates schools with a strong commitment to design education and builds upon the success of previous years.
Located at the Vermilion campus, Lakeland's IDT program is a two-year diploma program built around experiential learning in the classroom and beyond with practicum placements. Students engage in studio-based coursework covering drafting, space planning, kitchen and bath design, and sustainable practices. Small class sizes provide opportunities for mentorship, while the program also prioritizes networking and forging industry connections both locally and internationally.
Lakeland's relationship with the NKBA continues to be a cornerstone of the program's success. As the first Canadian institution accredited by the NKBA in 1999 and a founding member, Lakeland has built a reputation for excellence that spans decades. Lakeland students have consistently placed among the top entries in the NKBA student competition for 19 consecutive years.
Lakeland was previously named NKBA College of the Year in 2017 and 2019 - the final year that title was awarded - and continues to lead the way in post-secondary design education in North America.
