Meet Our 2025 Intern
RFM is thrilled to welcome Aissa Avalos to our team as an Interior Design Intern based in our Spokane office! A recent graduate of Washington State University (WSU), Aissa earned her Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design in 2025. During her time at WSU, she served as Editor-in-Chief of Eunoia, the School of Design + Construction’s student-run magazine, and was actively involved with the First Gen Center, supporting fellow first-generation college students.
This summer, Aissa is working closely with the Healthcare team—collaborating, contributing, and shadowing on multiple projects—to gain hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of real-world design work. She is passionate about creating inclusive spaces that reflect diverse communities and cultural narratives. We’re excited to see the fresh ideas and perspectives she brings to RFM!
What piqued your interest in Architecture and Interior Design?
When I was 8 years old, my grandparents began building their new home. I “helped” with the leveling of the foundation. I would spend hours playing with leftover wooden blocks from the construction site, building little structures and imagining what the interiors might look like. With this interest lingering in the back of my mind for years, it only resurfaced during the pandemic when I had a lot of time to think about my next year of college. I began researching architecture and interior design more seriously, and that’s when I created a plan to pursue it at WSU.
Why did you want to work at RFM?
While at WSU, I spent a lot of time exploring how to merge my passion for interior design with my commitment to social justice. As I researched design firms across Washington, I kept running into the same issue. Many companies listed values like “diversity” and “equity” on their websites, but those ideals didn’t seem to be reflected in the actual work they were doing. I wanted to be part of a firm where those values weren’t just words, but actions.
I remembered a presentation by Jennifer Fleming during my sophomore year at WSU. It stuck with me. I looked up RFM, and began to learn more. Once learning about their values, I had a gut feeling that this was where I needed to be. I trusted that instinct, and I’m so glad I did. It’s been an incredible experience so far.
What are you looking forward to most about working for RFM this summer?
Communication. I’m looking forward to seeing how this team navigates challenges and setbacks. In school it’s all theoretical so I can only imagine how different and difficult it is in the real design world.
What are your career aspirations?
I plan to become NCIDQ certified and continue making a positive impact in underserved communities. I believe equity in design should be at the forefront of the industry, as architecture and design have always played a role in shaping political and social environments. Design is never neutral, and I want to be intentional about using it as a tool for equity and inclusion.
Are you involved in any organizations or associations?
I graduated in May of this year, but throughout my time at WSU, I was heavily involved in the student-run magazine, Eunoia. In my final year, I served as Editor-in-Chief and introduced new programming, including Adobe workshops covering everything from Photoshop to InDesign. I started these workshops because I believe every student should have the opportunity to learn these valuable skills.
As a first-generation college student, I had to navigate the learning process on my own, and it was challenging. So, I made it a priority to change that for others. I’m proud to say that through these workshops, we were able to help many students within the School of Design & Construction build their foundational Adobe skills, empowering them to succeed in their coursework and beyond.