Professor Emerita Stephanie Nuria Sabato’s professional life has been dedicated to the “value of design” through professional practice, critical writing, and what she considers most important – the education of designers for over thirty-five years. Her work as a design educator has been recognized and honored locally, regionally, and internationally, including the nomination for the Ernest L. Boyer International Award for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology. In 2015 JCCC recognition her with the Dedication for Engaging Students Award.
In 2007 Stephanie received the lifetime achievement AIGA Fellow Award. In 2008 she was named as Fulbright Scholar on appointment in Morocco. Stephanie was named JCCC College Scholar in 2013 and 2015 for her research in Morocco and in the field of Design History. In 2014 she was invited to speak at the National Archives. In 2015 JCCC sponsored Stephanie’s five weeks collaborative study other scholars in various fields at Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi in Konya, Turkey, titled Art Treasures of Konya: Medieval and Islamic Art and Architecture.
Stephanie has served as a Mentor for The Chair Academy, which is dedicated to the design and promotion of world-class training programs and services to advance academic and administrative leadership for post-secondary institutions world-wide.
Stephanie holds an MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University, a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute, and an Associates of Arts from Longview Community College. She has held teaching positions at Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, the Kansas City Art Institute, the University of Kansas, and presently Johnson County Community College. As a professional designer and consultant she has worked with such clients as Northeastern University Publishing Group-Boston, Hallmark Cards-Kansas City, NASA-Mountain View-CA.
Stephanie’s work as an artist and designer has been exhibited throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Her work has appeared in several publications and books, and has won her numerous honors and awards. She has been named in the Who’s Who of American Artists, and the Who’s Who of American Educators. She holds a position on the Friend of Art Council, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri.
Stephanie credits her philosophy towards design, design education, and design thinking to her mentor, the great late Victor Papanek, with whom she had the privilege of studying and working closely for several years.
Stephanie’s study of world religions has taken her on spiritual pilgrimages throughout Europe, the Middle East, and India. Her first journey to India was in 1990 when she personally met Mother Teresa and H.H. the XIVth Dalai Lama. Her worldwide community service has lead to the co-founding of the Jamtse Tsokpa Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to raising and distributing aid to suffering exiled Tibetan refugees. Her work as co-founder and President has received recognition by the Dalai Lama, and in 1997 she was invited to confer with His Holiness in his personal residence in Dharamsala, India.
Presently, Stephanie dedicates herself to teaching and working on special projects. She says, “I can think of no better use of my intellect and talents then to serve in the areas of education and on projects that promote peace and a greater understanding throughout our diverse, multi-cultural world.” In 2016 she was appointed as Successor and President of the International Sufi Movement; the first time in history that this position has been held by a woman. Stephanie resigned this position and later founding A Sufi Message of Love, Harmony, and Beauty in pursuit of more time dedicated to her own inner practice and the Sufi Classes she teaches.
Among Stephanie's favorite quotes the first is by Eleanor Roosevelt: "Do one thing every day that scares you." The second quote is by Mother Teresa, "Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love."
Stephanie "Nuria" lives in Hollywood Beach, Florida with husband extraordinaire, Joe Gorski, and their dog, Kelce.
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