Interior architecture + design student found community, confidence, and a career path at UMass Dartmouth
When Heather Cachia '26 first came to UMass Dartmouth, she wasn't completely sure college was the right fit for her. Now, just weeks away from graduation, she's preparing to begin a full-time career in residential design — already lined up through the internship she started during high school.
The Dartmouth native, who was the inaugural recipient of the Tamotsu Yamamoto Scholarship, says the close-knit interior architecture + design community helped shape her college experience both personally and professionally.
Why did you choose UMass Dartmouth?
"I'm from Dartmouth, so staying local made sense for me financially. In high school, one of my teachers encouraged me to pursue something creative, and I always loved art and photography. Interior architecture + design felt like the perfect balance of creativity and having a real career path after graduation."
How did the Tamotsu Yamamoto Scholarship impact your experience?
"Receiving the scholarship really helped me take away the financial burden of college. I didn't even realize at first that I was the first recipient, so that was a huge honor. It definitely helped me continue my education without worrying as much about debt."
You've already secured a full-time job after graduation. How does that feel?
"I'm really proud of it. I started interning at Manchester Interiors in Westport during high school, and I've worked there throughout college. Now I'll be working there full-time after graduation, which is exciting because I know that's not always common right out of school."
What draws you to residential design specifically?
"I love the relationships you build with clients. In residential design, you're working directly with people and helping create spaces that are personal to them. Through my internship, I've seen how those relationships grow and how important networking is in this field."
Do you have a favorite class or project?
"Residential design has definitely been my favorite area, but I also really enjoyed hospitality design. My senior thesis combined both. It's called Second Chance Bar — a restaurant and bar concept connected to a dog adoption center in Middletown, Rhode Island. Local shelters would be able to promote adoptable dogs there."
What has surprised you most about your major?
"How close everyone in the program becomes. Since we take so many of the same classes together, you naturally build strong relationships with your classmates and professors. The interior architecture + design community is very supportive and tight knit."
What advice would you give to incoming students?
"Work hard, stay true to yourself, and take advantage of the connections you make. Building relationships with professors and classmates is really important because you never know where those connections will lead in the future."
What's your favorite memory from campus?
"Probably staying late in the studio with everyone before projects were due. Those moments are stressful, but they're also really memorable and fun because everybody's working through it together."
What does graduation mean to you?
"It's a huge milestone for me. When I first started college, I wasn't even sure if I wanted to finish school. Now, I'm excited to start my future and begin working full-time doing something I genuinely love."
One word to describe UMass Dartmouth?
"Community."