Khadeine Ali, Parsons Interior Design Student, Wins Scholarship from International Interior Design Association
Hazel Siegel was an acclaimed textile designer and educator for more than 40 years. She was also an important member of the New York chapter of the International Interior Designer’s Association (IIDA), which created a scholarship in her name after she passed away in 2020.
Each year, the scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students, and comes with an all-expense paid, three-day trip to the IIDA Texas Oklahoma Chapter’s SHIFT Student Conference in Dallas. Additionally, recipients have the opportunity to participate in project charrettes, tour local design firms, network with industry professionals, and will receive student membership to IIDA NY for the calendar year of 2025.
This year, Khadeine Ali, a second year student in the Parsons Interior Design graduate program, was one of the winners of the prestigious scholarship. She was drawn to apply because of Siegel’s inspiring legacy, and her dedication to student education and mentorship.
“I am deeply honored and grateful to receive this scholarship from IIDA NY. This opportunity to be immersed in the design community through firm tours, portfolio reviews, and hands-on networking experiences is truly exciting. It feels like a perfect bridge between the academic and professional worlds. The chance to gain insights into the design industry and develop professional skills through mock interviews and continuing education is invaluable. Being selected among such talented peers is both humbling and inspiring.”
Ali recently attended the IIDA’s SHIFT conference, where gained exposure to current best practices in the interior design industry, went on project tours, networked, and engaged in educational sessions. Additionally, she participated in a design challenge, where her team won second place.
She’s eager to apply the learnings from the professional conference to her program at Parsons, and continue growing as a designer.
“Parsons has transformed my approach by emphasizing critical thinking and sustainable practices,” she says. “The diverse perspectives of faculty and peers have challenged me to think beyond conventional solutions. At the same time, the curriculum and collaborative environment have shaped my design process to be more inclusive, participatory, and rooted in research.”
Ali is inspired by her classmates, mentors, and faculty members, as well as her roots in Trinidad, where she witnessed firsthand how spaces can foster human connection and develop community. The Parsons’ emphasis on innovation and social responsibility perfectly aligns with her mission to create spaces that celebrate cultural heritage and promote people coming together around shared values and interests.
“I’m inspired by the vibrant intersections of cultures, materials, and traditions from my home country, which inform my approach to creating inclusive, sustainable spaces that celebrate local heritage and community. The diverse perspectives of my peers and faculty at Parsons continually inspire me to push boundaries and think critically about design’s social impact. I’m driven by design’s power to transform human experiences, whether through healthcare spaces that promote well-being or community spaces that bring people together. As my mother once told me, ‘I know it’s not fair. But it’s our job to make it better.’ These words continue to fuel my passion for creating meaningful, accessible spaces that serve and uplift communities.”