Department of Design Alumna Finds Success With a Career at Texas Tech

Department of Design alumna, Emily Spaulding, is a two time graduate from the Texas Tech University College of Human Sciences. Emily graduated with her Bachelor of Interior Design in May 2011, and her Master of Science in Environmental Design in December 2013. Since graduating with two Texas Tech degrees, Emily is currently working as a Space Planning Analyst II in the TTU Operations Division, Office of Planning and Administration.

“In my role as a Space Planning Analyst, I manage project scopes, schedules and dependencies for all internal university relocation projects,” Emily said. “Additionally, I produce space planning and design solutions to efficiently and effectively adapt on-campus space use and square footage.”

Currently, Emily is working on proposed designs for the Texas Tech Personal Financial Planning Clinic, which will be located in the TTU Plaza Building off the corner of 19th Street and University. The design that Emily and her team have been working on will not only provide students with real client-facing service training but will also serve as an outlet for the community of Lubbock.

Texas Tech has always been home to Emily throughout her undergraduate, graduate, and now professional life.

“Working at Texas Tech is great; the atmosphere on campus has an electricity that can't be paralleled,” Emily said. “Being employed within the Operations Division is unique in the fact that there are so many different teams and talents that make up the Division as a whole. I think you could ask any employee in the Operations Division what they love about their job, and pride in their work would be a top answer.”

Emily credits her successes to her time spent at Texas Tech in the Interior Design (ID) program. 

“I chose the TTU Interior Design Program as an outlet to expand my interest in the built environment,” Emily said. “Not only do the students get immersed with a wide variety of courses, but they also automatically earn a minor in Architecture.”

Interior Design students are taught a variety of methods and concepts that are meant to equip them to be successful and confident professionals in the interior design realm. In the Interior Design program at Texas Tech, students are provided a number of possibilities to broaden their education including, studio work, seminars, team projects and presentations, professional workshops, numerous field trips, and real-world projects.

“What stood out to me most during my tenure as a student was the impactful expertise and experiences that I gained from the faculty; all of which are highly educated and have impressive portfolios,” Emily said. “Also, the opportunity to continue growing my knowledge and earn a degree from the Graduate School was a unique aspect to the TTU ID program; having the option to work towards a master's degree or Ph.D. ushers in a wide variety of students from all over the world that add knowledge and value to the Department of Design.”

To learn more about Texas Tech's Interior Design Program please visit https://www.depts.ttu.edu/hs/dod/id/index.php