Rate My Professor Jane Nichols

Dr. Jane L. Nichols serves as Chair and Associate Professor, holding the Luke Family Endowed Professorship in Interior Design, in the Department of Home Furnishings and Interior Design within High Point University’s School of Arts and Design. She also directs the High Point Design Institute, focusing on interior design projects for non-profits. Nichols obtained her PhD in Sustainability Education from Prescott College, MA in Gerontology and MS in Design from Arizona State University, and BA in Urban Studies from Governors State University. Prior to her academic career, she accumulated 20 years of professional practice in interior design, specializing in corporate, healthcare, senior living, and hospitality sectors. Her professional experience includes employment at Taliesin Architects, associated with the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, and she holds certification as a Cohousing Architect.

Dr. Nichols’ research interests encompass sustainable community design for the elderly, adaptable cohousing archetypes, design solutions for the elderly and persons with disabilities, scholarship of teaching and learning, sustainability education, healthcare design, and corporate design. She is recognized for her expertise in elderly housing and sustainable practices influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright principles. Key publications include the book "Sustainable Design Guide for a Desert Community That Meets the Needs of the Elderly and Mobility-Impaired" (2010), the article "A Descriptive Study of Sustainability Education in the Hospitality Curriculum" (2013), "A Hearty Economy and Healthy Ecology Can Co‐exist" (2008), and her master’s thesis "Through the lens of leisure activity services: organizational culture and map-making in senior residential communities" (2004). She has earned distinguished teaching awards and Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) grants. Nichols presents her research internationally and has authored multiple journal articles, contributing to the fields of sustainable and inclusive interior design.