August 23, 2023
Advisory committee member connects design students locally and nationally
Hong Anh Sievert, a graduate of JCCC’s Interior Design program, has been chosen as one of 13 U.S. designers to join the Moen® Designer Council.
“Not only is this honor a great opportunity for me,” Sievert says, “but it will help me build connections between Moen and our (JCCC) program. I want to bring Moen representatives to JCCC and give students the opportunity to learn directly from them.”
From new student to business owner, national consultant
"I was a student; now I’m serving students." — Hong Anh Sievert
Sievert graduated in 2007 and now owns Blossom Spaces, an interior design firm. As a JCCC Interior Design Advisory Committee member, she wants to give back to the program that launched her success.
Sievert recalls that JCCC faculty gave her a warm welcome when she was a student. She particularly valued the program’s emphasis on mastering technical skills, going on showroom visits, shadowing and gaining insight from guest speakers.
Sievert was still mastering English when she moved to Kansas from Vietnam and started classes at JCCC. The hardest part of the program was giving presentations. “It would have been hard enough to speak in front of the class in my own language, but to do it in English!” she exclaims.
Encouragement from faculty and other students helped her overcome that challenge. She went on to be recognized as one of the top three design students in Kansas. She now uses these presentation skills almost daily as owner of Blossom Spaces.
National opportunity to connect JCCC students
With decades of experience and strong networks, Sievert is exercising her influence to connect students to professional opportunities locally and across the country.
As a member of the Moen Designer Council, she will serve alongside fellow designers to give feedback on kitchen and bath products in development. Being on the council also gives her a chance to meet some of the brightest designers in the industry.
Since one of Sievert’s gifts is connecting people, she is naturally thinking of all the ways this new role can help JCCC Interior Design students.
Recently, she launched an Interior Designers and Industry Partners “happy hour,” with 50 to 70 attendees monthly. JCCC students are often invited to this networking opportunity. She also collaborates with industry partners to host and organize fundraisers for students.
“JCCC and its Interior Design program both have excellent reputations,” Sievert says. “If you want to be a residential design consultant, it’s the best place to be. If you want to go on to a four-year school, it’s also the best place to be.”
Design a future at JCCC
Most career programs at JCCC have an advisory committee of industry professionals who work alongside the department to connect students with internships, jobs and other professional resources. Whether you’re interested in JCCC’s Interior Design program or something else, we have more than 50 career programs you can complete in two years or less.
Our low tuition rates make college affordable. Flexible courses fit your schedule, allowing you to learn in person or online. You’ll also benefit from helpful resources like FREE tutoring and a support team to guide you.