Celebrating and Cultivating Diversity at O'More College

Architecture, interior design and fashion students transform communities through inclusive design

At Belmont University’s O’More College, students turn classroom concepts into tangible community impact. Through hands-on projects and innovative partnerships, students prove that design has the power to transform lives, break down barriers and celebrate differences. 

From North Nashville’s historic neighborhoods to runway partnerships with GiGi’s Playhouse, architecture, interior design and fashion programs cultivate designers who see inclusivity not as an afterthought, but as the foundation of exceptional design. 

Architecture that Unites and Uplifts

In North Nashville, a community marked by historical roots in Nashville’s Black culture and social justice movements, architecture students in the spring launched multiple projects to enhance the well-being of Nashvillians in the area.  

In a Studio VI project, fourth-year architecture students explored how thoughtful design and urban planning could transform North Nashville into a “blue zone,” a region where residents tend to thrive and achieve remarkably high life expectancies. Students created architectural solutions enhancing both the built environment and community health outcomes. 

When asked what diversity means to him, current fourth-year architecture student Sultan Mohamed said, “Being able to listen to different perspectives. [It influences] the way I think and the way I design – not just diversity in the color of someone’s skin, but also in terms of gender, where someone’s from and how those mindsets can come together. That's one thing that is always continuous for me here at O’More and it has helped cultivate a tight knit community.” 

As the advisor for O'More College's American Institute of Architecture Students chapter, Mohamed is helping establish a National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) student chapter at O'More. 

The NOMA chapter will focus on creating a more equitable and accessible architecture field through empowering students by building professional connections, engaging with local communities, facilitating career growth, organizing social events and conducting educational workshops.   

“One big part of what NOMA does is foster a community that is much more diverse than the architecture scene is,” said Mohamed. “It's important for a subset like this to have a more diverse voice, especially when architecture is about creating spaces for people all over the world.” 

Interior Design that Welcomes and Supports 

O’More’s interior design students partnered with over 120 students and faculty from O’Moreand the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences for a joint ADA training work session where they worked together to assess clients' needs for living independently, created solutions to improve accessibility and developed empathy for individuals with diverse abilities.  

Paul Biggers’ Interior Studio II students also reimagined the Interior Design department's third floor in Hitch Building, emphasizing universal design that surpasses ADA requirements through elements like custom-built furnishings, innovative way-finding systems and adaptive lighting to create a space that welcomes all.  

Kathy Worthington's Studio II Inclusivity & Accommodations students designed inclusive benches for public spaces, addressing the needs of people of all physical abilities with features including charging ports, benches of various heights and equipment accommodation.  

In a culminating Studio IV project, Interior Design professor Rebecca Moore‘s students undertook plans to transform the West Gaines School — a previously all-Black school in her hometown of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee — into a museum and community center. Six students developed designs for the preservation project.  

Fashion that Adapts and Inspires 

During National Hispanic Heritage Month, fashion design and fashion merchandising students in the Evolution of Fashion and Construction classes collaborated with Belmont's Hispanic Student Association on a Fashion Fiesta, held on Belmont’s campus this fall.  

The event featured student- constructed garments, and sketches inspired by traditional and contemporary Mexican garments highlighting the origins, meanings and craftsmanship. 

“My biggest takeaway from the project is how all these elements have survived throughout the eras and are still found in clothing today,” said fashion design major Sarah Andersen. “They’ve crossed cultures and haven’t disappeared.” 

Since 2017, O’More has partnered with GiGi’s Playhouse, an organization that offers free educational, therapeutic-based and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. 

For the 2024 O'More Fashion Show, thirteen junior design students were paired with teenagers with Down syndrome, ages 14-18. Through meaningful relationships, student designers gained insight into their new friends' unique likes and needs and designed custom garments for their runway debut. 

Education that Nurtures and Innovates 

These diverse initiatives and collaborative projects serve as both learning tools and catalysts for change. Inclusive design is more than just a principle — it's a practice that enriches both the design profession and the communities it serves. 

As students continue to push creative boundaries while embracing diversity, they're not just designing spaces and garments — they're developing the cultural competence and creative agility needed to craft a more inclusive future for all.