Berkeley College Interior Design grad has made her mark and now hopes to inspire and guide future professionals

For Maureen Carley-Vallejo, earning an Associate in Applied Science degree in Interior Design from Berkeley College laid the foundation for a successful career in healthcare-focused design. Now based in Emerson, NJ, she credits her time at Berkeley as pivotal to her career.

Her Berkeley College experience set the tone

“Attending Berkeley was a defining experience,” Maureen says. “The comprehensive curriculum and internship program provided the expertise, hands-on experience, and industry connections that launched my career.”

Discovering her true passion

While at Berkeley College, Maureen completed an internship at a retail design studio, which eventually led to a full-time residential design position she held for nearly five years. This experience helped her hone her skills and laid the foundation for her interior design career. She later transitioned to corporate design before discovering her true passion in healthcare design—creating environments that foster healing and wellness.

Recognized for her professional achievements

Now, as Director of Interior Design at a leading New York firm, Maureen’s tenure builds on more than three decades of experience. She has earned numerous accolades, including the Healthcare Design magazine’s HCD10 Interior Designer of the Year Award (2016) and Interior Design magazine’s Best of the Year Award (Healthcare Winner, 2020).

Using her skills to enhance healing

Maureen’s portfolio includes award-winning projects such as the White Plains Hospital Center for Advanced Medicine & Surgery and the David H. Koch Center for Cancer Care at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, underscoring her commitment to enhancing patient experiences through thoughtful design.

Looking ahead

Maureen’s vision for the future centers on mentorship and innovation. In the short term, she aims to grow the New York office of Array Architects and elevate healthcare design in the region. Long-term, she aspires to mentor aspiring designers and improve the built environment—physical spaces and structures to live in and work in—to better people’s lives.

Find your passion, grow through mentorship

Maureen offers advice for students pondering the future. “Find your true passion, whether it’s residential, workplace, hospitality, senior living, or healthcare design,” she advises. “Then, seek out a mentor to guide you on your path to success.”

Helping students reach their full potential

As Berkeley College celebrates 35 years of its Interior Design program, Maureen Carley-Vallejo stands as a shining example of how the program empowers students to turn their creative passions into meaningful careers.

The views and/or opinions in this article are those of the individuals interviewed. The academic achievements and/or employment outcomes described in this article are specific to each individual and are not a guarantee of similar results for past or current students. For up-to-date and detailed information, please visit BerkeleyCollege.edu and view our catalogs at BerkeleyCollege.edu/publications.