Demi Harmon Named Valedictorian of Caine College of the Arts

LOGAN, Utah — Demi Harmon has been selected as the valedictorian of the Caine College of the Arts at Utah State University, an honor that recognizes her academic excellence and passion for human-centered design and commitment to creating meaningful, livable spaces.

Graduating with a degree in Interior Architecture and Design, Demi’s path was shaped early on by time spent on construction sites with her father, who worked in the home building business. Those childhood experiences sparked a lifelong interest in how design can quietly but powerfully shape the way people live and feel.

“I’ve always loved the creative side of things,” she said. “I knew that interior architecture would be a good way to implement that into my life, being able to create a space that just improves people’s lives and makes their day.”

During her time at USU, Demi developed a deep understanding of the impact of thoughtful design, from how a space functions to how intuitive layouts can influence daily well-being. As her education progressed, so did her eye for detail and her appreciation for the subtleties in everyday surroundings.

One of her most meaningful projects involved remodeling her great-great-great-grandmother’s home in Wyoming. Drawing on old floor plans, family interviews and ancestral history, she reimagined the one-bedroom structure as a modern home that honors its past.

“I turned it into a modern house that is livable and meets today's living standards while still meeting the historical precedent and original beauty,” she said. “That was a super fun and meaningful project.”

As part of USU’s highly competitive interior design program, which accepts only about 25 students per year, Demi found herself in an environment that was both challenging and deeply collaborative.

“Everyone in the program is really collaborative,” she said. “You go through it all together, and everyone is always bouncing ideas off each other.”

Her time at USU was marked by academic success. She was awarded multiple scholarships, including the Victory and Dorothy Dover Scholarship in Interior Design, Mary Jane Faylor Interior Design Scholarship, Hansen Opportunity Scholarship, Advancement Council Scholarship, and was recognized as an Inaugural Scholar. She was consistently on the Dean’s List and received the A Pin for academic achievement.

Mentorship played a critical role in her growth. She credits professors like Steven Mansfield, Susie Tibbitts, Holly Murdock and Darrin Brooks with shaping her as both a designer and a person.

“It’s a small program and they really get to know you,” she said. “They notice if you are struggling and do whatever they can to help.”

Demi said she worked most closely with her professor Steven Mansfield, who taught her in nine separate classes, and for whom she was also a teaching assistant. Mansfield describes her as one of the most dedicated, hardworking and humble students he’s encountered in his 33 years of teaching.

“She never took the easy route,” Mansfield said. “Even when I suggested ways to lighten her workload, she’d look me in the eye and say, ‘No… I can do this. I know I can.’ Demi always worked smart—and always worked hard.”

Collaboration was another cornerstone of her education. While the program didn’t feature many formal group projects, studio life encouraged constant peer feedback.

“You’re always asking someone, ‘What do you think of this?’ or sharing ideas,” she said. “Getting constant feedback really helped me.”

When she found out she had been named valedictorian, she was surprised and humbled.

“I never set out trying to be valedictorian,” she said. “But to be recognized like that, I feel grateful and humble at the same time.”

Looking ahead, Demi will be joining a design firm in Salt Lake City, where she’ll be working alongside other USU alumni. She also plans to pursue her NCIDQ license and is eyeing the possibility of graduate school in architecture.

As she leaves Utah State, Demi carries with her the values that define the Caine College of the Arts: excellence, collaboration and integrity.