Faculty
Mojdeh Sakaki, MPA
Program Manager
Credentials:
Mojdeh studied design and earned a Master of Public Administration from University of Utah. In 2009, Mojdeh founded the Fashion Institute, the only degree granting fashion program in the state of Utah.
Currently, Mojdeh manages the Fashion Institute as well as the Interior Design program at SLCC that she developed from continuing education to a degree granting program. Mojdeh believes that education is the most powerful tool that empowers individuals with knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities that are essential for success in various aspects of life, from career and financial well being to personal growth and social engagement.
Mojdeh’s mission has been to serve the students, faculty, and her community for the past 25 years. She has lived in various parts of the world and speaks three languages fluently.
Jeri Eastman
Associate Professor
Credentials:
Jeri graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in interior design. She spent 11 years working as an interior designer in the Los Angeles area doing residential, commercial, and healthcare design. She also has her own business focusing on residential kitchen design and remodels. She is NCIDQ certified and licensed in Utah as a Commercial Interior Designer. Jeri started teaching at SLCC in 2002 as an adjunct instructor and in 2014 became an assistant professor. She has taught 9 of the 16 required courses in the Interior Design program, drawing on her decades of Interior Design experience. Her teaching incorporates engaging, hands-on classroom experiences of Interior Design knowledge and skills applicable to current industry standards. She loves teaching and feels very lucky to spend every day interacting with creative students!
Campus:
Taylorsville
Building:
Technology Building (TB)
Room:
307C
Phone:
Email:
Ellen Nygaard Sisson
Assistant Professor
Ellen Nygaard Sisson joined the SLCC Interior Design program full time in 2024, after teaching as an adjunct since 2018. She holds a Bachelor of Interior Design from Utah State University and a Master of Interior Architecture from the University of Oregon, where her passion for sustainability led her to study with leading thinkers in sustainable architecture. She is NCIDQ Certified, a Utah State Certified Commercial Interior Designer (SCCID), and a LEED AP ID+C. Before transitioning to full-time teaching, Ellen worked in the commercial interior design industry in Salt Lake City, with firms including GSBS Architects, Naylor Wentworth Lund (NWL) Architects, and the University of Utah Health. Her project experience spans healthcare, higher education, religious temples, tenant improvements (offices), and government buildings. Ellen integrates her deep commitment to sustainability into all her courses. She teaches a range of classes, including INTD 1010, 1050, 1950, 2150, 2350, and 2700. Above all, she enjoys fostering students’ interests and helping them achieve their interior design goals.
Campus:
Taylorsville
Building:
Technology Building (TB)
Room:
307D
Phone:
Email:
Vorn Bullough
Academic Advisor
Adjunct Highlight
Teresa Ryan
Dr. Teresa Kanipe Ryan, Ed. D. is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Greensboro. She has worked and taught in the field of interior design for over twenty-five years. Her primary focus is helping her students be successful. She has been with Salt Lake Community College for eleven years.
Her dissertation focuses on creating individualized sacred space that supports healing through the interior environment. Biophilic design is of special interest to her. She is also a certified Feng Shui practitioner.
Dr. Ryan has worked on projects throughout the world. She was managing director of interior design for two architecture firms and currently offers design consultation for special projects through her small business. Some of her projects include the North and South Visitor Centers on Temple Square, The Family Tree Center in Park City and the Hill Cumorah Visitor Center in Palmyra, New York.
She was lead faculty of interior design for The Art Institute of Salt Lake City and The Art Institute of Las Vegas. She has taught for BYU-Idaho, Russell Sage University, Hudson Valley Community College, LDS Business College, Ivy Tech Community College and Miami International University of Art & Design.
Addison Hansen | Owner of Addison Hansen Design | ASID, IIDA, HBA
Addison Hansen is an Interior Designer who recently returned to Salt Lake City after six years practicing design in Manhattan and Boston. This year, she launched her firm, Addison Hansen Design, which specializes in residential and hospitality interiors.
Her professional background is varied, including roles with Jeremiah Brent Design in NYC and Red Thread Interiors in Boston. Adding a unique industry perspective, Addison recently designed interiors for the final season of Queer Eye on Netflix.
Addison holds a Bachelor's Degree from The New York School of Interior Design and an AAS in Interior Design from SLCC. She is eager to help the next generation turn their passion into purpose, guiding them to create thoughtful, practical, and beautiful spaces they can be proud of.
Marilyn Jones
Marilyn Jones is a Certified Feng Shui Practitioner, Chinese Astrologer, Life Coach, and founder of Eat Pray Feng Shui Consulting and Coaching. She holds an Associate of Science and Business and a Certificate in Early Childhood Development. A natural teacher at heart, Marilyn has spent years guiding others to discover their passions and become the best versions of themselves. Besides her current business. She has owned and operated a preschool, worked in design and education, leads weekly indoor cycling classes, teaches how to make, and sells, her signature sourdough bread, hosts wellness retreats, and teaches Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology. Since 2021, she has shared her passions as an adjunct professor at SLCC and absolutely loves her students.
Amber Dunford | MS in Clinical Psychology
Amber Dunford is a former mental health clinician turned interior stylist and one of only a handful of “design psychologists” with expertise in the connection between space design and mental health. She spent years in private practice as a therapist before merging her passions for design and psychology. She believes there is a powerful, and often underrated, correlation between our mental wellbeing and the spaces we inhabit.
Amber works as an interior designer, art director and shares insights as a design psychology expert to publications such as Architectural Digest, The New York Times and Forbes. She loves spending time with her family, tackling renovation projects and traveling.
Daryl Christiansen | Jacoby Architects | IIDA, Professional / Educator
Daryl Christiansen has 27 years of professional experience as an interior designer, working on in-line retail, tenant improvements, religious, K–12, higher education, hospitality, and residential projects. As an interior designer, he has specialized in lighting design and managing large-scale FF&E packages.
Gia Rushton
Gia is an interior designer passionate about educating the public on hiring qualified and educated designers. Her background working in different design fields, as well as with clients from around the world, has given her an appreciation for different cultures as well as conscientious design. Currently, Gia is principle designer at her own firm and holds her NCIDQ, SCCID, and is a LEED Green Associate; she is also in the active process of obtaining her CKBD/Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer.
Janet Barrs | Instructor: SLCC Interior Design | Professional Seminar
In 2004, Janet started her design firm, Imagine Design, and has completed 100’s of projects across 7 states and in Mexico. She specializes in new builds & extensive remodels which utilizes her knowledge of design, architecture, and construction.
In 2007, Janet was recruited into teaching the “Business for Interior Designers” class at SLCC. This class introduces students to basic business principles and the application of these principles as they relate to Interior Designers.
In 2016, Janet added “Professional Seminar” to her teaching schedule. Designed as a networking class to familiarize students with the local design community and employment opportunities.
Ali Guymon
Ali Guymon holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Utah State University and is a member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). After five years as a designer with Alice Lane Interior Design, she launched her own firm, Ali Marie Studios, where she takes on residential projects with a focus on remodels. She created Ali Marie Studios as an exploration of art through interior design, ceramics, and other mediums. Ali is endlessly curious about creating and storytelling through art and design.
Michael P. Larsen
Michael has 29 years of experience as a lighting designer. His project portfolio is extensive, and includes hospitality, high-end custom homes, office, retail, educational and healthcare facilities. He has taught lighting design courses and seminars for the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, the Portland Art Institute, and Marylhurst University. As a LEED Accredited Professional, he has provided lighting and daylighting design on dozens of LEED certified projects, with several receiving LEED Platinum. Michael creatively solves problems, has exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills, and is a team player who strives to meet and exceed goals with confidence and integrity.