Mitzi Vernon

Professor Vernon teaches courses in Industrial Design including Studio, Design Research and Professional Practice. She received a Master of Science in Engineering in Product Design from Stanford University in 1995 and a Master of Architecture from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University in 1986. Prior teaching experience includes the California College of Arts, the University of Southern California, and Arizona State University. She has works of architecture, furniture, interiors and product design in Phoenix, Los Angeles, Chicago, North Carolina and Virginia. She is the recipient of two National Science Foundation Grant Awards, one in 1999, and the most recent in 2005. Both grants are focused on design of non-traditional books and exhibits for teaching science and math to middle schoolers. Vernon is the primary inventor on three U.S. Patents. She is the recent recipient of the first Diversity Award from the College of Architecture & Urban Studies at Virginia Tech. She is a past President of the Faculty Senate at Virginia Tech, a member of the STEM Outreach Board of Advisors and the 2007 Chair-Elect of the Virginia Tech Committee on Faculty Ethics.