Ricardo Navarro

Ricardo Navarro is a Professor of Interior Design and Graduate Coordinator at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where he has served since 2016. He holds a M.Arch and B.A. in architecture from Florida A&M University. Previously, he served as Academic Director of the Interior Design Department at Miami International University of Art & Design (2007–2016), where he developed the M.F.A. program and led CIDA accreditation efforts. Navarro’s academic leadership includes strategic planning, faculty development, and curriculum innovation across design disciplines. His research focuses on interior design education, student engagement, and the intersection of design with psychology and cultural studies.

He has received multiple accolades including the SCAD Dean’s Award (2017) and Florida State University’s Undergraduate Teacher of the Year (2006). His presentations address topics like capstone research trends, ADHD-inclusive workplace design, and cross-cultural design education. Navarro’s professional experience spans architectural design firms and government projects, with expertise in hospitality design and multifamily development. He has advised over 15 M.F.A. theses and contributed to peer-reviewed conferences through collaborative research on prison music therapy environments and solo traveler psychology in hotel spaces.

Navarro is actively involved in industry organizations including the Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) and CIDQ Standard Setting Committee, reflecting his commitment to advancing design education standards. His work bridges academic rigor with practical design solutions for diverse societal challenges.