Inspiring Graduate: Khendra Thompson (’25)
- Hometown: River Falls
- Degree: B.F.A. Interior Design
Khendra Thompson said her UW-Stout education has helped her think more deeply, and holistically, about interior design.
“For many, when they think of interior design, they only think of HGTV, but Stout has helped us to create a vision that goes far beyond that,” said Thompson, of River Falls. That vision, she explained, encompasses both the built environment – where humans spend most of their time – as well as the earth itself.
This focus on functional, healthy design led UW-Stout faculty to encourage Thompson and several other students to study and become WELL Accredited Professionals several summers ago. The certification, from the WELL Building Institute, signifies advanced knowledge of health and well-being in the built environment, Thompson said.
“Based on medical and scientific research, we learned principles and best practices for design and construction,” she said. “This has drastically impacted the way I think about design and will help me to make a positive impact in my field of study.”
Thompson received her B.F.A. in interior design during UW-Stout’s commencement ceremonies May 10. Earlier this year, she was also honored as winner of the Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition, which drew 1,600 competitors from the United States and Canada.
And before graduation, she was hired by Minneapolis-based ESG Architecture and Design – a job she says that comes as a result of connections created at UW-Stout.
What brought you to UW-Stout?
This is my second bachelor’s degree with UW-Stout. I first attended Stout for art education, and now I am back finishing my degree in interior design. I had a great experience the first time through, which ultimately brought me back.
Stout is the best of both worlds. It has one of the largest art and design schools in the Upper Midwest, with students who are nationally recognized and go on to lead inspiring careers, but it also feels like a small town where your professors know you personally and you build lifelong friendships. Additionally, I have friends who have gone through the interior design program at Stout and have spoken highly of their education that prepared them for their career.
What’s next after you graduate?
After graduation I will be working with ESG Architecture and Design in Minneapolis. I am thrilled to work with their team and have my program to thank for introducing me! Stout’s Student Interior Design Organization hosts many meaningful opportunities to get involved in the industry, and one of those is holding professional panels where students can learn and connect with leaders in the surrounding area. One of ESG’s designers was on the professional panel that I attended and inspired me to get connected with their company.
How do you hope to make an impact in your field?
I am passionate about people. I want to help design a world that is functional, healthy and beautiful for people to live in. We spend about 90% of our lives indoors and interior design has such an impact on how we experience that.
We are stewards of people and the earth and have the responsibility to care for the people who occupy the built environment and the earth on which it rests – and we get to do this through design!
How has UW-Stout prepared you to work in your field? Did you have a favorite lab or internship or field experience?
Being a polytechnic university, Stout emphasizes applied learning and encouraged us to pursue other industry experiences outside of what is require. An example of that is my internship.
I’ve interned with Jodi Gillespie Interior Design for the past two years and have gotten the chance to apply my learning in a real context. Through my role I have been engaged in multiple residential projects, developing conceptual work, making furniture and material selections, working with vendors and contractors, building spaces in 3D modeling programs, and developing construction documentation and specifications packages.
What stands out about your UW-Stout experience?
What stands out are the people. Not only is Stout a polytechnic university but they have professors who have worked in the field and can teach from the lens of real-world experiences. I am grateful for that, and for all of the professors and mentors that I have had who have encouraged, inspired and challenged me to be the best version of myself.
How did your involvement on or off campus impact your experience?
I had the privilege of being involved in a variety of organizations during both of my bachelor’s degrees from Stout and to receive a few awards along the way. One of the most recent and impactful awards was being recognized as the 2025 winner of the Steelcase NEXT Competition.
This was a design competition built into Stout’s curriculum that our class – along with students from 88 other schools in the United States and Canada – participated in. They tasked us with designing a 16,000-square-foot advertising agency in Chicago using an actual building shell from the Fulton Market District. Four Stout students were selected to continue to the next phase of the competition, and earlier this year, I was notified that I was a semi-finalist. I got the opportunity to fly out to Steelcase headquarters to present my project to Steelcase and leading professionals in the industry from around the nation. It was an incredible experience!
What challenges did you face in earning your degree and how did you overcome them?
I think one of my biggest challenges in earning my second degree was being a commuting student. Stout’s got such a fun culture, and it’s hard not to be fully integrated into that. Although the great thing about Stout is that they have so many opportunities to get involved and stay connected. Even though being a student looked a little different this time, I’ve still had a great experience!
What are you most proud of as you finish your degree?
I am proud and grateful for the experiences that I have had while at Stout and the relationships I have made along the way! I am Stout Proud!
