NKBA | KBIS is proud to reveal the recipients for the prestigious honor recognizing promising kitchen and bath professionals who are current student members.
By Nicholas Tamarin
The Ellen Cheever Award provides essential NKBA | KBIS resources and the chance to earn a Specialty Badge credential at no cost. The comprehensive award package includes a one-year Knowledge Base subscription, a spiral-bound copy of the Kitchen & Bathroom Planning Guidelines (4th Edition) with complimentary shipping within the US and Canada, and free access to earn one NKBA Specialty Badge credential.
The award honors the legacy of Ellen Cheever, CMKBD, ASID, CAPS, CLIPP, a highly influential figure in the kitchen and bath industry for nearly 50 years. A dedicated NKBA member, she was celebrated as a designer, author, educator, and researcher. The award ensures that students can access the same valuable resources that Cheever championed throughout her illustrious career.
To be eligible for the award, applicants must be NKBA student members with at least one semester remaining until graduation. The application process includes an online form, an essay, and a series of required questions. Award winners may also be featured in NKBA marketing materials, providing additional recognition and exposure.
The Ellen Cheever Award is particularly beneficial as it provides resources often required for coursework in kitchen and bath programs, helping students enhance their education and professional development free of charge. Recipients also gain the opportunity to earn an NKBA Specialty Badge, significantly boosting their credentials and career prospects.
Meet the 2025 Ellen Cheever Award Winners:
Haley Hanlon, Pinellas Technical College-Clearwater
Haley Hanlon, a student at Pinellas Technical College-Clearwater, has always been drawn to the potential of homes to reflect personal style, with a particular passion for interior design elements, materials, and spatial transformation. She is fascinated by the interplay of color, texture, and functionality in kitchens and bathrooms and is eager to create spaces that people cherish.
Hanlon plans to pursue NKBA certifications, including the Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer (CKBD) and specialty badges in cabinetry, lighting, and appliances, with a specific interest in the Appliance Specialist badge. Her academic achievements include CAD designs for bedrooms and family rooms, and she is currently working on a public space design using SketchUp. She has hands-on experience in the industry, including ordering materials and managing logistics at Adalay Interiors, a Tampa-based design firm specializing in kitchen and bath remodels. She also contributed to a significant renovation project of 100 apartment units in her family’s business, gaining extensive experience with countertops, flooring, tiles, paint, cabinetry, and appliances.
Ellen Stephenson, Virginia Tech
Ellen Stephenson from Virginia Tech has been intrigued by home design since childhood, inspired by her family’s frequent moves and the diverse decor of her extended family and friends’ homes. She is particularly captivated by the harmonious coexistence of functionality and beauty in kitchens and bathrooms, recognizing them as central to daily life. She is passionate about designing spaces that evoke both comfort and inspiration.
Stephenson is committed to pursuing NKBA certifications and digital badges to become a well-rounded and competitive professional, emphasizing her understanding and application of NKBA standards. She has excelled in her Residential Design and Real Estate coursework, especially in construction materials and design software classes, where she has created detailed space plans. Beyond academics, Stephenson is an active member of her university’s Home Design Student Organization, volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, and is interning with Reico Kitchen and Bath to gain hands-on industry experience. She expressed deep gratitude for the award, noting its significance in covering costs for materials and certification fees, as well as boosting her confidence in her design career aspirations.
Lisa Taylor, Collin College Technical Campus
Lisa Taylor of Collin College Technical Campus discovered her passion for combining aesthetics, utility, and innovation to improve everyday lives through kitchen and bath design. Recognizing these areas as the heart of a home, she aims to create spaces where people can make memories and connect.
Taylor began pursuing an A.A.S. in Interior Design at the age of 55, maintaining a 3.8 GPA. Through coursework and projects, she has developed a strong interest in ergonomics, materials, and lighting, and how these elements integrate to meet client needs and style. She is particularly drawn to the blend of technical precision and creative expression required in the kitchen and bath industry, and is interested in sustainable design, Aging in Place, and neuroinclusive Design. Taylor has been an active member of her campus’s student interior design chapters, serving on a committee that organized two student events, including a panel of industry experts as guest speakers.
Connect
The NKBA encourages all eligible students to seize this fantastic opportunity to gain valuable resources, enhance their credentials, and connect with the kitchen and bath industry. 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.
