Chandrasekera named 2025 International Interior Design Association Educator of the Year

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Media Contact: Kirsi McDowell | Communications Coordinator | 405-744-8320 | kirsi@okstate.edu

Dr. Tilanka Chandrasekera, professor of interior design at Oklahoma State University, has been selected as the 2025 Educator of the Year by the International Interior Design Association.

Chandrasekera was honored at the IIDA Annual Meeting in Chicago on June 8.

The prestigious award reflects Chandrasakera’s demonstrated excellence in teaching, innovation in teaching techniques and subject material, and contribution to the field of interior design through creative scholarship. 

Chandrasekera is the interior design program coordinator in the College of Education and Human Sciences’ Department of Design and Merchandising and holds the Christine Salmon Endowed Professorship.

His research and curriculum are reshaping the future of design through immersive technology, culturally responsive pedagogy and inclusive practices. 

Courses taught range from residential interior design studios, heritage of interior design, and sustainable design through study abroad, to advanced computer aided design and more. 

As the director of the Mixed Reality Lab, Chandrasekera implements his cutting-edge research in virtual and augmented reality, digital prototyping, and the applications of artificial intelligence in design and design education. 

This lab is also the hub of his innovative weekend-long Designathons, where student teams are challenged to solve real-world societal issues within a 40-hour timeframe. The annual event has attracted participants from across the university and around the globe, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and inspiring creative, impactful solutions.

Known across campus as “the Virtual Reality Guru”, Chandrasekera brings students, faculty and external partners together through hands-on experiences that bridge design, science and community needs. 

He mentors students in impactful service projects, from creating VR-based training modules for first responders to reimagining museum exhibits and even lunar habitats in collaboration with NASA.

Chandrasekera’s work has led to securing major grants, including a $1.5 million National Science Foundation award to introduce digital design to K–12 students through after-school programs. 

Colleague Dr. Aditya Jayadas — associate professor and graduate coordinator in the Department of Design and Merchandising — speaks enthusiastically of Chandrasekera’s impact on the department, interior design students and community.

“Three years ago, he shared a bold idea: a master’s program in digital design. Today, that vision is a fully launched graduate degree with a 4+1 option that gives undergraduate students the chance to earn a master’s with just one additional year of study,” said Jayadas. “This has created life-changing opportunities for many, especially students from Oklahoma. He worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring it to life, showing not only vision but relentless dedication to student success.”

The hybrid Master of Science in Digital Design is accessible to students across all majors, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based design, 3D environments and interactive media.

Chandrasekera’s deep subject matter expertise, genuine passion for teaching, and ability to foster interdisciplinary collaboration set him apart as a leader and mentor in design education. He doesn’t just teach; he inspires. He embodies what it means to be an exceptional educator.

In collaboration with Jayadas, head of the Department of Design and Merchandising Dr. Lynn Boorady, and graduate teaching assistant Zahrasadat Hosseini, Chandrasekera has published work detailing OSU’s PeTe (Peer Teaching) mentors and how “Near Peer Mentoring” (NPM) affects academic success and retention in design education. The concept is characterized by a more experienced student offering guidance and support to less experienced students – including those from different fields – with the aim of helping them navigate the complexities of their educational journey.

“I am incredibly proud of Dr. Chandrasekera and his national IIDA Educator of the Year award, but I am not surprised as Dr. Chandrasekera’s dedication to student learning is unmatched,” said Boorady.

Dr. Chandrasekera is a trailblazer who is not only shaping the next generation of interior designers but also inspiring fellow faculty to embrace emerging technologies. He leads by doing – encouraging his peers to explore, create and apply these tools to real-world challenges. He takes time to patiently listen to ideas, no matter how small, and then moves forward with impressive speed. 

Chandrasekera is honored – and humbled – to receive the title of IIDA Educator of the Year.

“This award is deeply meaningful because it affirms a career dedicated to reimagining design education through innovation, technology and collaboration,” he said.

“Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of helping shape how we teach and learn in the digital age, integrating virtual reality, artificial intelligence and immersive media into the design studio. These tools aren’t just add-ons; they are transforming the way students think, create and engage with the world around them.”

For Chandrasekera, this recognition reflects the collective efforts of a vibrant academic community, students who bring curiosity and courage into the classroom, colleagues who embrace change, and an institution like OSU that has allowed him the freedom to experiment and lead.

“I see this award not as a personal endpoint, but as a shared milestone on an ongoing journey to make design education more inclusive, future-facing and impactful,” he said.

“It is a reminder of the responsibility that comes with the privilege of teaching. It motivates me to continue evolving as an educator, to remain open to new ideas, and to keep centering student voices in everything I do. At OSU, we are given space to experiment, collaborate, and make a difference, and I hope to keep using that opportunity to prepare the next generation of designers, thinkers and change-makers.”

Chandrasekera’s work has already left a lasting impact on the university and the wider design community. His dedication to making education more relevant, accessible and forward-thinking is nothing short of exceptional.