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NewSchool Alumni Lead the Way in Transforming Beaumont’s Retail Landscape

Monthly Archives: March 2026

NewSchool Alumni Lead the Way in Transforming Beaumont’s Retail Landscape

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Rendering of Beaumont’s Retail Landscape

Building a community is about more than steel and stone. It is about creating spaces where people can connect, shop, and feel a sense of belonging. That vision is coming to life in Beaumont, where Regency Centers recently broke ground on Oak Valley Village, a 230,000-square-foot retail development designed to serve a growing community.

Among those celebrating this milestone was Jena Farrell, a proud alumna of NewSchool of Architecture & Design. Her presence reflects the meaningful role NewSchool graduates continue to play in shaping communities beyond the classroom.

A New Retail Destination for a Growing Community

Located at the intersection of Interstate 10 and Oak Valley Parkway, Oak Valley Village is positioned to become a central gathering place for the Inland Empire.

The development will be anchored by Target and Sprouts Farmers Market. These well-known retailers will bring everyday essentials, wellness-focused options, and convenient shopping closer to home. Together with additional retail and dining spaces, the center is designed to meet the needs of a rapidly expanding population.

With more than 96,000 residents living within a five-mile radius, the project responds to a clear need for accessible services and community-centered spaces.

A Shared Effort to Support Beaumont’s Growth

Projects like Oak Valley Village come to life through collaboration. Leaders from the City of Beaumont, including Mayor Mike Lara, Mayor Pro Tem Jessica Voigt, and City Manager Elizabeth Gibbs, worked alongside Regency Centers to help move this vision forward.

The groundbreaking ceremony reflected the community’s excitement and pride. A performance by the Beaumont High School Marching Band brought people together and marked the beginning of something meaningful for the city.

Looking Ahead

Construction is now underway, with the opening of anchor tenants anticipated in the second half of 2027. Once complete, Oak Valley Village will include:

  • A 148,000-square-foot Target
  • A 23,000-square-foot Sprouts Farmers Market
  • More than 34,000 square feet of retail and dining space

The center is expected to become a welcoming place where residents can gather, run daily errands, and spend time together.

From Education to Impact

For NewSchool, moments like this speak to something larger. They reflect how students grow into professionals who contribute thoughtfully to the communities around them. Projects like Oak Valley Village show how design and development can support not just economic growth, but also everyday connection and quality of life.

For more updates on this project and other retail developments, follow Regency Centers on LinkedIn.

A New Milestone: NewSchool Recognized as an “Opportunity College”

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Laptop screen showing Carnegie's email announcing the recognition

NewSchool of Architecture & Design Was Recognized as an “Opportunity College” by the 2025 Carnegie Classifications

We are thrilled to share a landmark achievement for the NewSchool of Architecture and Design community.

In spring 2025, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education (ACE) released the much-anticipated 2025 Carnegie Classifications. This updated framework introduced a groundbreaking new metric: the Student Access and Earnings Classification.

We are incredibly proud to announce that as part of this release, NewSchool of Architecture & Design has been officially classified in the top tier of this new system: Higher Access, Higher Earnings—a designation officially known as an Opportunity College and University.

Carnegie Website showing NewSchool classification
NewSchool’s page on Carnegie’s website

What Does This Classification Mean?

For decades, the Carnegie Classifications have been the leading framework for categorizing colleges and universities in the United States. The new Student Access and Earnings Classification was designed to recognize institutions that are true engines of social and economic mobility.

To earn the “Opportunity College” designation, an institution must excel in two key areas:

  • Higher Access: Enrolling a student population that is representative of and reflects the diverse communities the institution serves.
  • Higher Earnings: Ensuring that after students leave the institution, they go on to earn competitive, wealth-generating wages compared to peers in their job market.

Being named an Opportunity College is a powerful affirmation of our core mission. It proves by the numbers what we see every day in our studios and classrooms: NewSchool is not just an accessible place to learn; it is a springboard for thriving, lucrative careers in architecture, design, and beyond.

Unveiling Our New Seal

To commemorate this milestone, the Carnegie Foundation has provided recognized institutions with official branding to celebrate their impact.

Today, we are incredibly proud to share the newly designed official seal for our Opportunity College and University classification.

Whenever you see this seal on our website, campus materials, or alumni network, let it serve as a reminder of our collective commitment to student success, equity, and post-graduation prosperity. This recognition belongs to our dedicated faculty, our hardworking staff, and most importantly, our brilliant students and alumni who go out and shape the world.

Thank you for being a part of the NewSchool journey. Here is to continuing to build a brighter, more accessible future together!

Touché: Students Share How They Thrive at NewSchool

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A man surfing a wave in san diego

At NewSchool of Architecture & Design , student voices play an important role in shaping the community. Touché, the school’s student-led publication, provides a platform where students share their experiences, ideas, and perspectives on life as a design student.

In a recent article from Touché Vol. 3 , student writer and photographer Santiago Girault reflects on the intensity of studying architecture and design—long studio hours, demanding projects, and the constant pursuit of creative excellence. Through conversations with fellow students, the article highlights how taking time to step away from the studio and spend time outdoors can help students recharge, think more clearly, and approach their work with renewed creativity.

Students featured in the story share how activities like surfing, golf, and archery help them manage stress and maintain focus throughout their academic journey. Their reflections remind us that success in design education is not only about meeting deadlines, but also about caring for one’s well-being and maintaining balance.

The piece offers a thoughtful look at how NewSchool students support their own creativity and resilience—both inside and outside the studio.

Read the full student feature from Touché here:

Why students need to get Outside – Issuu

Service Jam is this weekend!

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On March 13th – 15th, San Diego will host its third Service Jam! NewSchool is honored to host the opening night of San Diego Service Jam: a weekend of service design to research, ideate, prototype & solve real problems to develop a solution in 48 hours.

Tickets are still available on EventBrite, including few discounted student tickets.

What is the Service Jam?

A weekend of doing: listening to real people share their challenges, exploring solutions that meet real needs, and prototyping to develop a solution in 48 hours.

The Jam includes practitioner “flash talks” from notable design thinkers along with tactical coaching and mentorship from practitioners. Tiziana d’Agostino, assistant professor in the school of Design will be giving a Flash Talk on Friday night.

What makes SD Service Jam special isn’t just the process: it’s the people, the play, and the practice. Participants don’t sit through talks. They learn by building, testing, and sharing together, supported by local practitioners who believe design should be accessible, human, and joyful.

San Diego Service Jam is part of the Global Service Jam, a worldwide movement that brings together designers, educators, technologists, and community members to solve meaningful problems through service design.

Both newbies and experts are welcome. You’ll walk away with new tools for your service design toolkit, share a few scrumptious meals with new friends, and create solid service prototype with a team of fellow designers.

Leadership for the Future: Daniela Deutsch Appointed Chief Academic Officer at NewSchool of Architecture & Design

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photo of Daniela Deutsch

At a pivotal moment of growth and innovation, NewSchool of Architecture & Design is proud to announce the appointment of Daniela Deutsch as Chief Academic Officer. Deutsch has been instrumental in shaping the institution’s academic strength. As Dean of Architecture, she led the school through its successful NAAB reaffirmation while strengthening a culture of assessment, collaboration, and faculty engagement across the program.

Her leadership has supported continued program development and reinforced NewSchool’s commitment to rigorous, forward-thinking design education. In her new role, Deutsch will guide the university’s academic strategy, support accreditation preparation, and help lead the continued evolution of NewSchool as a digitally forward, design-driven institution.

As NewSchool continues to grow and prepare students for the future of design and the built environment, this leadership transition marks an exciting step forward. With Deutsch helping shape academic vision and strategy, the institution is well positioned to advance creative, interdisciplinary learning that empowers the next generation of architects and designers.

How Design Can Shape Behavior and Make a Difference

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headshot of tiziana dAgostino

To kick off Women’s History Month at NSAD, attention turns to the work of Tiziana d’Agostino, Assistant Professor of the Graphic Design & Interactive Media program. Her article explores how design shapes not just products but behavior, perception, and choice. It’s a reminder that beauty in design carries influence and responsibility.

The piece observes a world filled with irresistible products that often encourage over-consumption. Many use psychology to spark desire and guide behavior, creating cycles that benefit companies but pressure consumers and the planet.

Yet seductive design also has the potential to do good. When applied thoughtfully, it can make products accessible, sustainable, and meaningful. Examples like the LifeStraw water filtration bottle, Grove Collaboratives, eco-friendly products, and the Elli Q AI assistant demonstrate how beautiful, intentional design can solve problems, improve lives, and still delight the senses.

The article is a timely reflection on the impact of design and the role of women shaping a more responsible and inclusive creative industry. It shows that design can inspire, guide, and change behavior when paired with care and intention.

Read the full article by Tiziana D’Agostino here.

Reference: Heart and Mind UX. https://heartandmindux.medium.com/

Save the Date: Design & Build Summer Intensive

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NewSchool Design & Build Summer Intensive 2026 Flyer

For many students, there’s a moment when something clicks. An idea becomes a sketch, a model, or a structure they can actually hold in their hands. It’s the moment creativity turns into possibility.

This summer, NewSchool of Architecture & Design invites high school students to experience that moment through the Design & Build Summer Intensive—a four-day, hands-on studio experience on campus where creativity, mentorship, and collaboration come together.

Guided by faculty mentors and industry professionals, students will work in our design studios exploring how ideas move from concept to creation. Participants will gain exposure to multiple disciplines, including Architecture, Design, and Construction Management, helping them understand how each field contributes to shaping the built environment.

Throughout the program, students will:

Work in hands-on studio sessions building models and prototypes

        Participate in interactive workshops with faculty and industry professionals

        Explore architecture, product design, and construction management tracks

        Connect with mentors and peers who share an interest in design and building

        The program concludes with a final showcase, where students present their work to family and friends, celebrating the ideas and projects they’ve developed over the four-day experience.

        Early Registration: April 1 – April 14

        To keep the studio experience collaborative and mentorship-focused, space is limited. Families and students are encouraged to submit an inquiry to receive program updates and early access to registration.

        Submit the inquiry form to stay informed about the Design & Build – Summer Intensive Program.

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