Baker College of Auburn Hills is one of 17 schools in the nation — and the only one in Michigan — to be recognized by the National Kitchen and Bath Association for its high standards of instruction on kitchen and bath design.
The school received the Excellence in Education award based on two student-designed kitchen projects, designed by Mary Prough of Shelby Township and Rachel Thibodeau of North Branch, which are required in the application for accreditation through the association.
“This is an incredible accomplishment for Mary and Rachel that reflects positively on the program as a whole,” said Ann Jacob, director of interior design at the Baker College, which has earned the instruction recognition three other times.
The student work submissions include a floor plan, elevation, construction plan, and mechanical plan. NKBA-certified kitchen and bath designers scored the design projects, awarding both Baker students at least 90 out of a possible 100 points.
“Successful designs include a great deal of research and may require students to request clarification from NKBA,” Jacob says. “Ensuring that they’ve satisfied all design requirements is the most strenuous, laborious part of the project for the students and faculty.”
Accreditations through the National Kitchen and Bath Association are typically valid for one year. Due to the consistently superior scores of student designs submitted by Baker College, its accreditation was extended for five years, Jacob says.
