IDEC Awards Fellow Status to Hepi Wachter

The Interior Design Educators Council has awarded Fellow status to Hepi Wachter, chair of the CVAD Department of Design and professor of Interior Design. Wachter received this honor at the IDEC 2025 Annual Conference in Chicago, March 17–19, 2025. 

"This came as a complete surprise," Hepi said. "I didn't know I had been nominated until I received the announcement letter. I am very honored and humbled to be named an IDEC fellow." 

Fellow status is a distinguished recognition awarded to IDEC members who have contributed exceptionally to interior design education. Recipients must show sustained leadership, service, and engagement within the organization. Their impact may include advancing knowledge in the field, advocating for design education, or supporting organizations such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation and the National Council for Interior Design Qualification.

Wachter was honored for his significant contributions to IDEC, interior design education, and the profession as a whole. His professional credentials include multiple interior architecture and architecture licenses and certifications, such as CIDQ, NCIDQ, LEED AP, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and GreenLeaders.

With degrees in interior architecture, architecture, and fine arts, Wachter also holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Gerontology. His dissertation, "Exploring Educational Interests and Preferences of Older Adults," highlights his dedication to understanding aging populations. 

Wachter's scholarship includes a wide range of conference presentations in the U.S. and abroad, curated exhibitions, peer-reviewed publications, and research funding, including a $1 million Environmental Protection Agency grant. He actively engages students in research, enhancing their skills in evidence-based design. His students have received numerous awards for their design and scholarly work at institutional, regional, and national levels. Wachter earned the Design Excellence Award from the American Society of Interior Designers Oklahoma Chapter in 2010 and 2014.

Wachter, a dedicated IDEC member, has contributed extensively through conference abstract reviews and leadership roles. As Southwest Region chair, he leveraged his professional network to create impactful conferences. He has also served as a network chair for integrated practice and international membership.

His leadership extended to a three-year commitment as IDEC president, where he championed the advancement of interior design educators. One of his most notable contributions was establishing the IDEC Service Charette, a key initiative of the Annual Conference. This program provides a way for IDEC members to give back to the host cities, benefiting local communities in need.

Beyond IDEC, Wachter has played a vital role in interior design education as an invited critic, speaker, advisory board member, design program reviewer, and tenure and promotion reviewer for institutions across the U.S. and internationally. His service extends to professional organizations such as the American Society of Interior Designers, the International Interior Design Association, the American Institute of Architects, and civic groups such as the Rotary Club and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Through his leadership, scholarship, and advocacy, Wachter has made a lasting impact on interior design education and the profession at large.

For more information about Wachter's work in the UNT College of Visual Arts and Design, please visit the CVAD Department of Design web pages.

Image: Cynthia Mohr, former chair, CVAD Department of Design, places the IDEC Fellow medallion on Hepi Wachter during the IDEC Fellows Forum of the annual conference.