From Classrooms to Communities: Designing for Belonging [HSW]

Rebekah Matheny is an Associate Professor of Interior Design in the Department of Design at The Ohio State University. With over a decade of industry experience in brand experience design and strategy, Matheny bridges academia and design practice. She brings this expertise to her work as an educator, researcher, and consultant. Leveraging her background in sustainable design strategies, Matheny’s research investigates the sensory experience of environments to create emotional connections between people and physical place. As an educator she is dedicated to fostering lifelong learning for her students, professionals, and herself with recently became a certified futurist through the Institute For The Future. Matheny has published in academic and professional journals and has presented at both academic and professional conferences around the world. 

Stephanie Orr has spent more than two decades at The Ohio State University leading initiatives that shape the future of academic technology and learning environments. As Director of Learning and Collaborative Environments, she oversees interdisciplinary teams spanning audiovisual, interior design, and user support. Her work integrates space, technology, pedagogy, and user insight to create accessible, user-friendly learning environments. Stephanie and her team champion standards that promote equitable, high-quality experiences across classrooms, study spaces, and maker studios, reflecting a strong commitment to innovation and human-centered design in higher education.

Stasia has dedicated her career to designing impactful educational and healthcare environments, leading strategic planning, visioning, and interior design for complex healthcare facilities for over two decades. As a Healthcare Leader for Gensler’s North Central region, she brings a deep understanding of the physical, mental, and social factors affecting patients and staff, delivering innovative, sustainable, and holistic design solutions. Her work has been featured in Interior Design, Architectural Record, and Metropolis, and she is a frequent speaker on healthcare design trends and best practices, with active involvement in IIDA and industry organizations.

Janeallison Ortega, ASID, NCIDQ, is a strategist and interior designer specializing in higher education environments where belonging, well‑being, and learning outcomes intersect. Her work spans classrooms, libraries, learning commons, and student‑life spaces, with a focus on designing environments that enable connection, reduce isolation, and support the diverse needs of students, faculty, and staff. She integrates evidence‑based and trauma‑informed design methodologies through research partnerships with Gensler, the Trauma‑Informed Design Society, and CEU development for ASID’s Gather conference. Janeallison contributes to national design discourse through NeoCon juries, mentorship, and panels - advancing research‑informed strategies that help campuses cultivate purpose, curiosity, and inclusive community.