Carl W. Matthews, IDEC, honored with the Keith Hooks Volunteer Excellence Award

Carl W. Matthews, IDEC, Professor and Interior Architecture and Design Department Head at the University of Arkansas has been honored with the Keith Hooks Volunteer Excellence Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and interior design higher education.

Matthews began his service with CIDA in 2006 as a program review site visitor and was appointed to the Board of Directors as liaison to the Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) from 2009 through 2014. Following his two consecutive terms on the CIDA Board of Directors as an advocate for interior design programs and educators, he continued to volunteer for CIDA returning  to program review service. Since 2006, Matthews has conducted 18 accreditation reviews and continues in this exceedingly impactful volunteer role today.

In 2024, Matthews also served on a special task force examining the structural efficacy of CIDA’s accreditation standards, making recommendations for future strategic development that support evolving program contexts in higher education. This kind of “above and beyond” service is emblematic of Matthews’ contribution to both interior design higher education and to CIDA’s quality assurance mission.

CIDA established the Keith Hooks Volunteer Excellence Award as a legacy to former Director Keith Hooks whose 20+ years of volunteer leadership immeasurably impacted thousands of students in CIDA-accredited programs. “The Board applauds Carl Matthews long-term, exceptional leadership in the profession and as a CIDA volunteer. Carl’s focus on  meaningful, strategic evolution is a hallmark of his service. His expertise, vision, and generous collegiality are inspiring and worthy of the Keith Hooks Volunteer Excellence Award. The CIDA Board is absolutely thrilled to recognize him and we congratulate him on his numerous achievements,” states CIDA Board Chair Rachelle Schoessler Lynn, FASID, CID, LEED Fellow.

Over 120 interior design educators and practitioners currently volunteer for CIDA. Only one Keith Hooks Volunteer Excellence Award is presented annually. The Council for Interior Design Accreditation is an independent, non-profit, accrediting organization responsible for setting standards and evaluating degree granting interior design programs. Learn more at www.cida.org.