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Rose Mary Botti-Salitsky

faculty

Rose Mary Botti-Salitsky, PhD

Associate Professor / Program Coordinator

Design

Contact

508-910-6863

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College of Visual & Performing Arts 313

Education

2005Capella UniversityPhD
1991Rhode Island School of DesignMA
1987Drexel UniversityBS
1984Dean CollegeAS

Teaching

Programs

Teaching

Courses

This course introduces the students to the principles, elements and history of design. Students will examine and begin to work with the physical and psychological relationships that exist in the environment. Emphasis will be placed on visual literacy and problem solving methodology, building a strong foundation for the design process itself. Various types and progressive levels of design problems will be engaged, all in preparation for subsequent studio courses. Computers will be integrated into this studio. Notes: Workload per week: two hours of lecture, four hours of studio and eight hours of homework.

Study of furniture and interiors from the earliest known examples to present-day. The course will be presented in philosophical, political, and economic contexts, with cross-references to architecture and other applied arts, enabling students to understand the factors which influence design.

Selection of a specific type of design for thesis based on accumulated knowledge and design maturity. This course is devoted to original research programming and documentation. This is a writing-intensive course with each student producing a written program documenting their findings, analysis and recommendations in preparation for Thesis Studio.

Research

Research interests

  • Programming and Research
  • Resiliency, Equitable Design
  • Advanced Technologies
  • Design Professionals and Licensure

Select publications

  • Botti-Salitsky, R.M., McGoldrick, S., Janasiewicz, J., & Lanza, C. (Moderator) (2026, January 22).
    Preparing for practice: Integrating AI technology while safeguarding creativity in design studios [Juried conference presentation]
    New Approaches to Teaching & Learning Conference (NATL ’26): AI and the Art of Teaching, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
  • Botti-Salitsky, R. M. (2024).
    Social cultural norms—Our words are important.
    In D. Kopec (Ed.) Environmental psychology for design, (4th ed.)
  • Hill, A. (Moderator), Botti-Salitsky, R. M., Gibson, S., Wilson-Shunta, B., & Pavlinic, K. (2024, October 9).
    How to create equitable access to education [Panel presentation]
    Workflow Interiors
  • Bonnet, L., & Botti-Salitsky, R.M. (2022).
    Disease control within high-traffic areas: A series of mini case studies,
    In A. Bliss & D. Kopec (Eds.), Architectural factors for infection and disease control, 182–199.
  • Botti-Salitsky, R.M. (2017).
    Programming & Research: Skills and Techniques for Interior Design
    Fairchild Books. An Imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing, New York, London, New Delhi, Sydney ISBN-13:97, Second edition

With more than three decades of experience, Dr. Botti-Salitsky has advanced the Interior Architecture+ Design profession through the integration of education, advocacy, scholarship, and leadership. Her work is grounded in a commitment to public protection, professional recognition, and expanded access to the discipline.

Dr. Botti-Salitsky serves as Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Interior Architecture + Design at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, where she has led the development of a rigorous curriculum aligned with both CIDA and NASAD standards. Rooted in evidence-based design, life safety, accessibility, and building codes, the program prepares students to meet the highest standards of professional practice while bridging creativity with technical competency.

Dr. Botti-Salitsky has played an active leadership role in advancing the professional recognition of interior designers. As a member of the Council for Interior Design Qualification Model Legislation Task Force, she has contributed to national framework language supporting consistent and reasonable regulation. Building on this work, she served as lead author of Rhode Island’s proposed 2026 Interior Design legislation. She is also a founding member of the Consortium for Interior Design Rhode Island and the Alliance of Design & Construction Professionals, collaborating with architects, engineers, and industry stakeholders to strengthen interdisciplinary engagement within the built environment professions.

Her contributions have been recognized at the highest levels of the profession. In 2020, she was elevated to Fellow of the American Society of Interior Designers (FASID) in recognition of her impact on education and advocacy. She was also named one of ASID’s “50 Impact Makers,” honoring leaders shaping the future of the profession.

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