By Nicholas Tamarin
The National Kitchen and Bath Association is now accepting applications for the prestigious Ellen Cheever Award. This award provides invaluable resources and opportunities to aspiring kitchen and bath professionals who are current NKBA student members.
What is the Ellen Cheever Award?
The Ellen Cheever Award supports students in the kitchen and bath industry by providing essential NKBA resources and a chance to earn an NKBA Specialty Badge credential at no cost. The award package includes a one-year NKBA Knowledge Base subscription, a spiral-bound copy of the NKBA Kitchen & Bathroom Planning Guidelines (4th edition) with free shipping in the US and Canada, and complimentary access to earn one NKBA Specialty Badge credential.
Who Was Ellen Cheever?
Ellen Cheever, CMKBD, ASID, CAPS, CLIPP, was a highly influential figure in the kitchen and bath industry for nearly 50 years. A dedicated NKBA member, she was renowned as a designer, author, educator, and researcher. The NKBA honors her memory with this award, which helps students access the resources she valued.
Eligibility and Application Requirements
To be eligible, applicants must be full-time NKBA student members with at least one semester remaining until graduation. The application requires completing an online form, submitting an essay, and answering required questions. The deadline to apply is May 14, 2025. Award winners may be featured in NKBA marketing materials.
Why Apply?
The Ellen Cheever Award provides valuable resources that are often required for coursework in kitchen and bath programs. The award helps students gain access to these resources free of charge, enhancing their education and professional development. Recipients also have the opportunity to earn an NKBA Specialty Badge, further boosting their credentials and career prospects.
Past Recipients and Their Experiences
Last year’s recipients have highlighted the award’s impact on their careers. Kayden Smith sees the pursuit of NKBA Certification and badges as an ideal next step in the achievement of professional goals. “Pursuing NKBA certifications and badges aligns seamlessly with my academic and career goals,” Smith says. “These credentials will not only validate my expertise, but also provide me with access to a network of industry professionals and resources that will facilitate my professional growth and advancement.”
Participation in student activities, such as NKBA Student Chapters, is another way that students can enhance their professional growth. Campus involvement has played an important role in Madeleine Clune’s academic career as a Residential Environment & Design major. “On campus I am currently involved in two organizations related to my major. The first is the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Ambassador Program. I get to talk to prospective RED students and students who have been accepted into the RED department” said Clune. “The second organization I am involved in is Home Design at Virginia Tech (HDVT). I joined last fall and this coming fall I will be the President. Through this club I attended KBIS as well.”
As members of NKBA, students are encouraged to get involved with their local, professional chapter. Fanny Cartujano took this involvement one step further by innovating a new chapter program as a Student Representative for the NKBA|KBIS Georgia Chapter. “As a Student Representative, I took the initiative to create and manage the NKBA Student Shadowing program for our Georgia Chapter” said Cartuano. “This program, which allowed students to shadow a Kitchen and Bath Design professional for a day to a week, was a testament to my commitment to fostering a stronger, more knowledgeable kitchen and bath industry community.”
Don’t Miss This Opportunity
The Ellen Cheever Award is a fantastic opportunity for NKBA student members to gain valuable resources, enhance their credentials, and connect with the kitchen and bath industry. Students are encouraged to apply by the May 14, 2025 deadline.
For more information about NKBA|KBIS Affiliated Schools and student resources, visit https://nkba.org/learning/ or contact Kelly Ann Ryan, Learning Programs Manager, at kryan@nkba.org.
