Interior Design Faculty

Interior Design Department
Lower Level, Notre Dame Hall
(414) 256-1213

Full Time Faculty

Associate Professor Dennis Klopfer, MUP, Architecture & Urban Planning, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee; BS, Architecture, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee; WI licensed interior designer.

Dennis is a career teacher as well as an interior design consultant/practitioner primarily in Florida during the summer.  His extensive construction and technical knowledge have been utilized in the Milwaukee area as well.  Dennis joined Mount Mary College as a full time interior design faculty member in 1988.  Dennis is a member of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), the Design Communication Association (DDC), and the American Woodwork Institute (AWI).  Dennis teaches Building Construction,  Interior Public Spaces, Studio IV Senior Project, and AUTOCAD.

Associate Professor Leona Knobloch-Nelson, MS, Architecture, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee; BS, Interior Design, Lawrence Tech; Michigan/ NCIDQ; WI licensed interior designer.

Leona’s primarily working experience is at Engberg Anderson Design Partnership in Milwaukee.  She designed projects in eldercare, libraries, corporate space, residences, and hospitality spaces.  Leona continues her professional practice in her own firm, KNA Design.  Leona joined the Mount Mary College full time interior design faculty in January 2002.  She is a professional member of American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and associate member of American Institute of Architects (AIA).  She is a member of the Interior Design Coalition of Wisconsin (IDCW). She is the advisor to the award winning Student Chapter of Wisconsin ASID.  Leona teaches Design & Communication, Studio II Commercial Interior Design, Studio III Special topics, and History of Interiors & Architecture.

Associate Professor Pamm Steffen, Department Chairperson, MS, Related Art, University of Wisconsin - Madison; BS, Interior Design, University of Wisconsin - Madison; WI licensed interior designer. 

Pamm started her career as a residential, and later commercial, interior designer in Madison, WI.  She joined Mount Mary College as a full time interior design faculty member in 1982.  She is a member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the Vice President of the Interior Design Coalition of Wisconsin (IDCW), and co-founder of the Wisconsin Green Building Alliance (WGBA).  She is actively involved in student development, environmental issues, and networking.  Pamm teaches Orientation, Sustainable Design, Career Seminar, and Internship while facilitating on-going operations for the Department.

Part Time Faculty

Lisa Blazek, LEED AP, Allied ASID; BA, Interior Design, Mount Mary College; BFA, Painting and Drawing, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.  Lisa joined Mount Mary College in Spring, 2008.  She is the head interior designer for TWP Architecture in Elm Grove, WI.  She is a highly creative interior designer who combines her technical and artistic experience to meet client goals.  She is involved in the entire project from marketing to post occupancy evaluation where she always presents herself and firm in a very professional manner.  Lisa teaches Business Procedures.

Barb Chappell, MS, Clothing, Textiles and Related Art, University of Wisconsin-Stout; BS. Related Art - Textile Design, University of Wisconsin - Madison.  Barb was a fabric stylist for Monterey Mills and has been designing and manufacturing limited edition wearable art and commission textiles for interior designers, private individuals, and galleries since 1990.  Barb owns the Fiberwood Studio in Milwaukee.  She is on the WI Designer Craft Council Board of Directors and a WI Handweavers and Midwest Weavers Association member. She brings her professional, easy going, and friendly personality to the classroom. Barb teaches Textiles and  Color Theory as well several Fiber Art courses.

Dan Ho, PE, BS, Electrical Engineering, Marquette University.  He is the Vice President, Principal, Director of Electrical Engineering and a Lighting Designer with Harwood Engineering Consultants, Ltd.  He is a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (past President), the Construction Specifications Institute, and the National Fire Protection Association.  His projects range from schools and libraries to office buildings and elderly housing.  His lighting expertise is used most often in commercial and retail spaces as well as religious and educational facilities.  Dan co-teaches Lighting.

Erik Kopp, MA and BS, Architecture, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He is a lighting designer at Harwood Engineering and a professional member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.  Erik is an award winning lighting designer who has been involved with projects from healthcare facilities and municipal buildings to hospitality and single and multi-family residences.  He has used his architecture background with lighting to create drama and a unique experience.  Erik co-teaches Lighting.

Carrie Storm, BA, Interior Design, Mount Mary College; BA, Graphic Design and Studio Art, St. Mary’s University.  She was a practicing interior designer for Kohl’s Department Store (in-house interior design) in Menomonee Falls,  InterArc Ltd (branch of TWP Architects) in Elm Grove, and  Lise Lawson Interior Design (residential) in Milwaukee.  Carrie has been a free lance artist/interior designer while raising three young children.  Carrie teaches Architectural Drafting, Sketching and Rendering, and Residential Design.

Art Department Faculty
The Fine Arts faculty members teach color, basic drawing, basic design, art history, and art labs.

Guest Speakers
The faculty draws very heavily on the professional community for guest speakers on topics related to interior design, sustainability, products, and career management. Orientation features over twenty current students and alumnae who discuss their careers.  These are excellent opportunities to meet practitioners who become a networking support group.  Students are encouraged to collect speaker business cards and develop their own business cards as well.