Winter receives 2026 CANR Excellence in Teaching – Established Teacher Award
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EmailLaura Winter, of the School of Planning, Design and Construction, will be honored with the CANR Excellence in Teaching – Established Teacher Award on May 6.
Laura Winter, of the School of Planning, Design and Construction, will be honored with the CANR Excellence in Teaching – Established Teacher Award on May 6.
The CANR Excellence in Teaching – Established Teacher Award recognizes individuals with five or more years of teaching experience who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to high-quality teaching and meaningful contributions to student learning.
Winter is a teaching specialist in interior design whose instructional approach emphasizes creativity, critical thinking and experiential learning. Drawing on her professional background and NCIDQ certification, she integrates industry-informed practice into the curriculum, helping students develop both technical proficiency and conceptual depth.
At Michigan State University, Winter teaches core interior design courses that build foundational skills and leads studio classes focused on community-based, experiential projects. In these courses, students collaborate with local organizations and companies to design spaces that address real client needs, site conditions and broader societal contexts. She also mentors students through design competitions, guiding them in responding to complex, industry-driven challenges and refining their work for external evaluation.
Winter extends experiential learning beyond studio settings through professional practice courses that prepare students for the business aspects of the design field. These courses incorporate field trips and guest speakers to help students connect classroom knowledge to professional environments. She has also developed and led interior design study abroad programs in Italy, providing students with immersive global perspectives on design, art and architecture.
Inclusivity is a central component of Winter’s teaching philosophy. In 2024, she launched a material rental kit program to reduce financial barriers for lower-division students. Now in its second year, the program serves a majority of first-year interior design students.
Through her commitment to experiential education, professional preparation and accessible learning environments, Winter continues to strengthen the interior design program and support student success.
