Focused on family, alumna designs plan for future career

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Managing college courses, an internship and extracurriculars can be challenging for any student. Liset Diaz-Cortes navigated it all with a newborn baby in tow and didn't miss a beat.

"She is what keeps me going. This isn't just for myself; it's for my family now and for her," she says.

Now, with a newly-minted bachelor's degree in interior architecture and design in hand, the Western Michigan University graduate is ready to hit the ground running.

"My time at WMU has prepared me to enter the field with confidence, equipped with both technical expertise and valuable connections," says Diaz-Cortes.

A first-generation college graduate, her focus on family and the support Diaz-Cortes found at Western kept her laser-focused on her career goals.

"I found a strong sense of belonging within the interior architecture and design program. The supportive environment, combined with the guidance and mentorship of my instructors and professors, played a crucial role in my academic journey," she says. "Their dedication and expertise not only helped me complete my studies but also prepared me for a successful future in the field."

Diaz-Cortes also got a boost from Western's TRiO Student Success Program, which helps connect first-generation, income eligible students make the transition from high school to college and connect with academic, financial and career resources.

"They helped me stay on track to graduate and helped me out financially," she says.

Sketching career plans

Diaz-Cortes has charted her future with residential design in mind. She loves the idea of helping families bring out the character of their home and reinforce the structure's roots.

"I'm tired of vinyl siding; I want to see stone, brick," says Diaz-Cortes, who would eventually love to team up with her husband to help restore a church that has fallen into disrepair in his hometown. "It's about finding character and building on that character."

She found a place to nurture her passion and craft a solid foundation in design principles and technical skills in Western's interior architecture and design program. 

"Collaborating with classmates on projects and sharing experiences has not only enhanced my teamwork and communication skills but has also provided me with a strong professional network that I will carry into my career," she says.

As part of a small cohort, Diaz-Cortes had a number of opportunities to put the skills she was sharpening into practice and build her portfolio, including a capstone project focused on multigenerational living. 

"I got so close with my cohort and my instructors were great; we're all family."

That family extended into registered student organizations (RSOs) that helped her find her fit on campus and thrive personally and academically.

"I found a sense of belonging by participating in organizations such as the Latino Student Alliance (LSA) and the Interior Design Student Organization (IDSO)," she says. "These groups provided opportunities to connect with peers, engage in meaningful discussions and build a strong support network."

In addition to LSA and IDSO, Diaz-Cortes is working to create even more support for design students in underrepresented populations by leading an effort to establish a new RSO: the National Organization of MInority Architecture Students.

Hands-on experience

Western's interior architecture and design program connected Diaz-Cortes with a number of opportunities for professional growth, including a yearlong fellowship her sophomore year in the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's Building Bridges through Education program. She was able to bolster her leadership and interview skills, fine-tune her resume, network with a number of employers and Latinx peers and explore potential internship possibilities throughout the experience.

"Participating in a fellowship that connected me with Hispanic students from various universities cultivated a strong sense of community, belonging and shared purpose," says Diaz-Cortes.

The next summer, she extended her professional network by traveling with other Western students and faculty mentors to NeoCon in Chicago, billed as "the world's leading platform and most important event of the year for the interior design industry."

"This experience was invaluable, as it deepened my understanding of the design industry and allowed me to explore innovative products and emerging companies," she says.

Cultivating a growing confidence in her abilities, Diaz-Cortes secured an internship with construction and development company AVB in residential selections.

"This opportunity allowed me to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice, providing me with firsthand experience in the field," she says. "Having been in my internship for almost two years, I feel confident in my ability to transition to a full-time position. The knowledge, skills and practical experience I have gained at Western have equipped me to succeed in my career."

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