FARGO, ND, April 10, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Susan Ray-Degges with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Dr. Ray-Degges celebrates many years' experience in her professional network and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes she has accrued in her field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Dr. Ray-Degges has established a notable career in interior design education, marked by more than four decades of dedication to teaching, mentorship and professional leadership. Since 2016, she has served as a professor of interior design at North Dakota State University, where she is also the program coordinator. In this capacity, Dr. Ray-Degges works closely with students in the classroom, preparing them for successful careers in the interior design profession and reaching out to communities to promote understanding of design's true purpose. She is recognized for her expertise as a mentor and guide, ensuring that students are equipped with the skills necessary to pass qualifying exams and to positively impact the health, safety and welfare of those who use the designed spaces.

A tenure at North Dakota State University that began in 1992, Dr. Ray-Degges was an assistant professor of interior design on campus until 1999. She was promoted to associate professor in 2000, serving in that capacity until 2016 before advancing to her current position. Throughout her time at the university, Dr. Ray-Degges has prioritized direct engagement with students over administrative advancement, believing that hands-on education is the most impactful aspect of her work. She actively integrates experiential learning into her curriculum, encouraging students to participate in real-world projects within their communities and across the state.

Beyond teaching, Dr. Ray-Degges serves as a faculty advisor to student chapters within ASID's Minnesota Chapter at North Dakota State University, strengthening student engagement with professional organizations and fostering early involvement. Her commitment to professional standards is further demonstrated by her encouragement of students to pursue certification through the National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam, the primary credentialing examination for interior designers in North America.

Before joining North Dakota State University, Dr. Ray-Degges was an instructor of interior design at the University of Central Arkansas from 1988 to 1992. Her academic journey also included a year as a graduate teaching assistant in environmental design at the University of Missouri in 1992. Earlier roles included part-time faculty member positions at Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University) during the summer semester of 1986 and again from 1987 to 1988. Dr. Ray-Degges began her academic career as a graduate research and teaching assistant in housing and interior design at the University of Missouri between 1985 and 1986.

Dr. Ray-Degges's educational background forms a strong foundation for her professional accomplishments. She earned a Bachelor of Science in home economics, specializing in housing and interior design with a minor in art from Missouri State University in Springfield in 1984. She then studied at the University of Missouri in Columbia, where she acquired a Master of Science in housing and interior design with a focus on design for individuals with disabilities and older adults in 1987 and a Doctor of Philosophy in human environmental sciences with a specialization in environmental design and gerontology in 1995. Beyond her degrees, Dr. Ray-Degges holds several certifications that underscore her commitment to professional excellence, including certified interior designer status in Minnesota, a National Council for Interior Design Qualification certificate since 1991, and a Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture and Interior Design Certificate in 1994.

Dr. Ray-Degges's leadership extends beyond the classroom through active involvement in professional organizations. She served as the national president of the Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) from 2019 to 2020 and now holds the role of historian for the organization. Dr. Ray-Degges is also a fellow of both the American Society of Interior Designers and IDEC.

Among her many accolades, Dr. Ray-Degges received recognition with multiple research awards throughout her career. Her research presentations have been accepted by IDEC on numerous occasions, including a recent submission that earned an Outstanding Research Presentation Award in 2024. Additionally, Dr. Ray-Degges received the Interior Design Most Admired Educator designation from Design Intelligence in 2019 and was named Top Professor of the Year in Interior Design by the International Association of Top Professionals in 2025.

Dr. Ray-Degges attributes her success to persistence, reliability and self-motivation, qualities shaped by her rural upbringing where perseverance was essential. Her entry into interior design was inspired by participation in home environment projects through 4-H during high school and further influenced by observing her sister's pursuit of an interior design degree.

Throughout her career, Dr. Ray-Degges has witnessed significant changes in technology and access to information within the industry. She remains committed to preparing students for these evolving challenges by integrating new technologies into coursework while emphasizing that the human connection remains central to effective design practice. Dr. Ray-Degges's approach includes immersive learning experiences, such as site visits, guest speakers and annual trips to Minneapolis–St. Paul for firm tours, as well as international study opportunities focused on targeted firm visits and immersive exploration.

Looking ahead, Dr. Ray-Degges aims to transform educational programs for future generations by mentoring new faculty members and strengthening outreach efforts with high school teachers across North Dakota. She also intends to advocate for licensure standards that distinguish professional interior designers from decorators within the state. Dr. Ray-Degges's legacy is defined by unwavering dedication to mentoring future generations of designers, guiding them not only toward technical proficiency but also toward empathy-driven practice that prioritizes inclusion, accessibility and human well-being.

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