Migette Kaup

Dr. Migette Kaup's teaching is grounded in a sustained commitment to human-centered, evidence-based design education that bridges theory, research, and practice. Through more than two decades of teaching in interior design and environmental gerontology, she has developed a pedagogical model that positions design as both a creative and scholarly act that improves human experience, particularly for aging populations and vulnerable communities. Her courses integrate environmental psychology, behavioral research, and systems thinking, equipping students to translate complex human needs into meaningful, evidence-informed design solutions. A defining feature of Dr. Kaup's teaching is her emphasis on student-generated knowledge through research. This is most clearly realized in ID651: Design for Supportive Environments, where students conduct original research, synthesize literature, and develop design proposals grounded in evidence. In a single semester, she regularly guides large cohorts of students through the full arc of scholarly inquiry. The quality of this work has been externally recognized, with accreditation reviewers noting that student outcomes are comparable to graduate-level research and design. Dr. Kaup's impact is especially distinguished through her exceptional mentorship of undergraduate research, for which she has been recognized with the University Distinguished Faculty Award for Mentoring Undergraduate Students in Research (2025). She employs a dual mentorship model that integrates students into funded research initiatives while also supporting independent, student-driven inquiry. Students contribute to externally funded projects, gaining hands-on experience in data collection, analysis, and dissemination. The outcomes are both measurable and far-reaching. Dr. Kaup has mentored numerous undergraduate researchers, with many achieving peer-reviewed publication, national conference presentations, and competitive design awards. Her students engage directly with professional audiences and industry partners, extending the impact of their work beyond the university. Dr. Kaup's teaching transforms design education into a vehicle for inquiry, empathy, and societal impact. Her students graduate not only as skilled designers, but as critical thinkers and emerging scholars prepared to lead through research-informed practice.