Tom Sofranko, associate professor of architecture and associate dean of academic services at the LSU College of Art & Design, has been named interim director of the LSU School of Interior Design, effective July 1, 2015.

“The interior design program’s lengthy history of student and faculty engagement has produced a substantial record of community service and research with industry partners,” said Sofranko. “I look forward to continuing these efforts, expanding the national reputation of the program, and providing our students with the means to realize their professional aspirations.”

Sofranko’s service as interim director is effective immediately. Associate Professor Jim Sullivan, who served as chair of the Department of Interior Design (the department was recently designated a school by the Board of Regents) from July 2013 to June 2015, accepted a position as dean of the School of Architecture at Marywood University, a small liberal arts school in Northeastern Pennsylvania with programs in architecture and interior design.

“While short, my time as chair has been a fantastic experience, and I have become very fond of the program and everyone here,” said Sullivan. “For me, this has been a learning experience through which I have grown professionally and personally in important ways.”

Sofranko has been at LSU since 1992, and served as interim director of the School of Architecture for four years. He received his Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Architecture from Kent State University. Prior to his arrival at LSU, he was working professionally in Cleveland, Ohio. His interest in the curriculum and the structure of the LSU School of Architecture as well as the geography of the region led him to LSU. His research has been a combination of architectural design projects and scholarly papers with a focus on beginning design as well as popular culture and architecture as image. He has been involved with the National Conference on the Beginning Design Student for over 20 years. Most recently, his research has focused on the efficacy of techniques for recruiting and retention of students in design. He is credited with starting the School of Architecture’s Architecture & Design Camp for high school students and is interested in using the camp as a tool for recruiting minority students.

Sofranko will continue to serve as associate dean of academic services during his interim directorship.

“The program is in good hands and will continue its current initiatives,” added Sullivan. “I will always speak highly of LSU’s School of Interior Design.”

About LSU School of Interior Design The LSU School of Interior Design is a CIDA accredited program emphasizing design that brings meaning and identity, function and purpose, health and safety to interior spaces. The program teaches specialized knowledge in creative problem solving, research and analysis, and professional preparedness. Interior designers give life to interior spaces. They shape, organize, furnish, and adorn the insides of buildings to reflect our personal and cultural aspirations. For more information, visit interiordesign.lsu.edu.