Supporting emerging designers is at the heart of NKBA|KBIS. To that end, the association launched a formal mentorship program with a seven-week pilot that wrapped on May 1. Sponsored by KOHLER, the program matched 83 students with NKBA mentors representing 49 NKBA chapters. Pairs met virtually and in person throughout the program to discuss professional development topics. It’s a win-win for all involved, with participants receiving a certificate of completion and mentors earning continuing education units.
Above photo: NKBA’s pilot Student Mentor Program participants met in person and online; Photo credit: NKBA
“As a mentor, sometimes I feel like I get more than I give,” said Paula Kennedy, CMKBD. “The framework that NKBA put together to help guide us through this made it hard to say no!”
Her mentee, Marlene Hainer – a former pharmacist – was thrilled to discover that Kennedy also had a non-traditional path into the design world. Hainer’s meetings with her gave her confidence and clarity to navigate the direction of her career.
The pairs were able to tailor their discussions depending on topics of interest and expertise. For instance, while Heather Dae, AKBD, mentored Nate Sito, who wanted to know more about layered lighting. So Dae created a PowerPoint presentation for him titled “Let There Be Good Light.” Meanwhile, Sito helped Dae with tile selections for a client project.
Mentor Andrea Mulkey reflected on how the program unexpectedly helped her own growth. “It really gave me a lot of opportunities to ask good questions and then ask those same questions of myself.”
Other topics the pairs covered included self-care and avoiding burnout, resume and portfolio development, branding, scheduling and even managing client files.
Planning for the Spring 2027 Student Mentor Program is underway. To participate, mentees must be 18 years and over in the U.S. and Canada and enrolled in a post-secondary K&B design-related program of study. Mentors should be NKBA certified or highly experienced K&B professionals.
To apply, visit nkba.org/nkba-kbis-student-mentor-program.
