Rachel Plybon Beach
The West Virginia University (WVU) School of Art and Design recently welcomed Rachel Plybon Beach to the faculty. After serving as an adjunct professor during the fall 2024 semester, she now serves as a teaching assistant professor for the Interior Architecture program.
Beach is a native West Virginian with decades of experience designing education, healthcare, hospitality and museum spaces. From 2004 to 2009, she dedicated her time to renovating the West Virginia State Museum. In 2010, she began her teaching career at Pierpont Community & Technical College, where she was an assistant professor and program coordinator for 14 years before joining WVU.
“The Interior Architecture program boasts a long-standing reputation for producing exceptional graduates spanning decades,” Beach said. “I have had the privilege of contributing to the hiring process for WVU Interior Design and Interior Architecture graduates in my previous professional roles. I am eager to contribute to this legacy of design excellence, honing my teaching skills and nurturing the growth of emerging designers.”
Beach studied interior design, fashion design and merchandising, and modeling at Bauder Fashion College in Atlanta, Georgia. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in interior design from the University of Charleston’s Carleton Varney School of Art and Design. During her time in Charleston, she was mentored by Varney and interned at Dorothy Draper & Company Inc. in New York City.
“[Carleton] reminded us to provide a pleasant memorable experience for the person in the room,” Beach said. “This goal for an interior designer will set the stage for a successful project and satisfied client.”
In 2014, Beach was awarded the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development’s Excellence Award. She also placed in the 2021 LIV Hospitality Design Awards competition.
"It is a real pleasure to welcome Rachel Beach to the faculty,” said Kristina Olson, director of the WVU School of Art and Design. “We look forward to her contributions to our students' education and continued leadership of this important program."
For more information about the Interior Architecture program, visit artanddesign.wvu.edu.