Rena Cumby is the former Department Head of Architecture & Interiors, at Drexel University, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design. She has held the positions of Director of the Interior Design programs and Associate Department Head. She holds degrees in Education, Architecture and Interiors.
Before coming to Drexel University Ms Cumby was in the professional field for 15 years. She was a Partner in the design firm of Banik-Cumby, Inc, that specialized in hospitality and retail design. The firm’s projects were published in books and magazines as well as projects receiving national awards. Ms Cumby is still involved in select architectural and interior design projects but whose time is predominantly devoted to design education.
Ms Cumby serves and has served on many different College and University Committees. She is a member of the Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC), Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA), International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) and the Interior Design Licensing Coalition of Pennsylvania (IDLCPA).
Ms Cumby teaches both foundation and upper level studios in the undergraduate and graduate programs as well as developed and directed the Graduate Thesis. She has been the primary force in the development of the graduate and undergraduate curriculum. It is her goal to maintain academic and professional currency but to also look forward and create curriculum that prepares students for the future. The development and acquisition of faculty is key to achieving these goals and Ms Cumby strives to have faculty that are most current in their area of expertise and exhibit the collaborative and collegial spirit.
The BS Interior Design and the MS Interior Architecture + Design programs are ranked in the Top 10 Interior Design Schools by Design Intelligence.