Sylvia Masters

Assistant Professor, Interior Design
Slyvia Masters
"It's exciting to be teaching young women during a time of many female "firsts" like the inauguration of the first female Vice President of the United States."
Professor Masters joined Wentworth in 2019 as an assistant professor of Interior Design in the School of Architecture and Design.

What courses do you teach?
I teach Interior Design Studios (all levels), Design Magic, Materials, Lighting and Senior Research.

How have your interests, research, or experience led you to your field?
In college, I majored in advertising and psychology. Working in retail after college, I was fascinated by how design influenced buyers. Then I began reading about how design affected commercial office environments. In 2001, I began pursuing a graduate degree in Interior Design at the Boston Architectural College and started my first design job at Hacin + Associates working on residential and commercial projects. I then worked at Gensler, where I focused on commercial office design. I began attending design reviews at Wentworth during the summer of 2013 and found I loved being in the academic environment. I taught my first class as an adjunct in Fall 2019 and while getting my license as a personal coach. I began teaching full-time the next spring. Teaching brings together all my skills and interests, which made the transition feel completely natural.

Why are you proud to be a woman in 2021?
I am proud to be a woman in 2021 because it's a time of growth, renewal and healing, and I am excited to be part of these efforts after some dark days in our country recently. It's exciting to be teaching young women during a time of many female "firsts" like the inauguration of the first female Vice President of the United States.

Describe one exciting thing that is happening in your classroom.
Watching a design idea "click" for a freshman in my design studio was wonderful. The student's first project was complete, but timid and not very well crafted. Then I could see the concepts being understood on a deeper level for the next project. The second project was bold, conceptual, creative and very well-made. Seeing the pride in that student's face during final presentations was wonderfully gratifying.

What is one interesting fact about you?
I own three rescue Chihuahuas named Oscar, Lenny and Teddy. The last two were "foster-fails" from when I was volunteering at a local animal shelter. Together they weigh less than most house cats.

Share your favorite quote for Women's History Month.
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” - Anais Nin

List of recent publications and other accomplishments (2019 - 2021):

  • One-year appointment to the Interior Design Program at Wentworth and subsequent full-time position as an assistant professor at Wentworth
  • Earning a coaching certification and starting my personal coaching business, True North Coaching
  • Presenting at the Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) 2019 conference
  • Submitting a chapter to an academic publication (publishing in 2021) that focuses on mental health and trauma in higher education, which is a huge passion of mine
  • Co-developer and facilitator for Wentworth's Project 40 Resiliency Initiative Program
  • Co-advisor/ training facilitator for Wentworth's Student Wellness Education and Empowerment Team (SWEET)