Catherine Wolfe Earns Accredited Learning Environment Planner (ALEP) Certification

SYRACUSE, NY—Ashley McGraw Architects and Vaysen Studio are pleased to announce that Catherine Wolfe, CID, NCIDQ, has earned her Accredited Learning Environment Planner (ALEP) designation from the Association for Learning Environments. She is the first ALEP professional at Ashley McGraw Architects and one of less than 10 ALEP’s in New York State. The ALEP credential is designed to elevate a practitioner’s professional standards and identify those in the industry who demonstrate the knowledge essential to the practice of academic environment planning.

In May 2020, Ashley McGraw Architects launched Vaysen Studio, a creative studio that focuses on design strategy and interior design. Vaysen Studio offers a fully integrated team of certified interior designers and design strategists with extensive experience in transforming interior spaces for a wide range of project types including K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and community/civic buildings. 

“Since joining Ashley McGraw, Catherine has shown a continued commitment in researching, analyzing, and designing educational spaces and measuring the impact those environments have on students,” said Matthew Broderick, President of Ashley McGraw. “She contributes significantly to our success as a leader in educational design.”

"In addition to the learning environment, it is the people, the curriculum, and the relationships that truly make an impact on one’s learning. Focusing on the holistic system in response to the needs of the whole child is transformational for the future of education,” explained Wolfe. “I have such admiration for what educators do, especially during this pivotal time – the ability to aid in strengthening educational experiences for students and educators through the marriage of their curriculum and built environment is paramount to successful learning."

Wolfe joined Ashley McGraw in 2015. Her expertise in the K-12 school sector is highlighted by assisting districts in the shift of educational delivery to student-focused, active learning environments. She has led the redesign of learning environments at Groton Central School District and Westhill Central School District that have shown demonstrated results of increased student engagement, collaboration, and academic success. 

An active member of the design community, Wolfe has presented her work and research of 21st Century learning environments at several professional conferences, including the Association for Learning Environments Northeast Regional, New York State Council of School Superintendents, and the New York State School Boards Association. 

Wolfe is a New York State Certified Interior Designer (CID) and certified by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design from Cazenovia College.

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(Images Attached: Catherine Wolfe.jpg and Westhill High School Collaborative Corridor.jpg)

About Ashley McGraw Architects 

Ashley McGraw Architects, based in Syracuse, New York, was founded in 1981. Its award-winning portfolio of K-12 schools, higher education buildings, and community/civic structures has been consistently recognized for innovation and design excellence.

About Vaysen Studio 

Vaysen Studio, based in Syracuse, New York, is a creative studio that focuses on design strategy and interior design. We create harmony between people and the places they inhabit. Our interior design expertise works with the architectural team to authentically bring project vision to life, with a keen focus on finishes, millwork, branding, and integration with overall architecture.