PCC’s ‘fairy job mother’ named NKBA/KBIS national educator of the year
Story by Misty Bouse. Photos by James Hill and Briana Cerezo.
PCC’s Robin Fisher is making an impact as an educator and mentor.
Portland Community College interior design instructor Robin Rigby Fisher is known to her students as the “fairy job mother” for her ability to guide them to employment success. However, her students can now call her something else — national educator of the year.
In March, Fisher was awarded the inaugural 2025 NKBA/KBIS Educator of the Year award at the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s prestigious Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Las Vegas. She accepted the trophy before a wide audience that included 11 of her current students, underscoring her impact as both an educator and mentor.
“Being awarded the first-ever NKBA Educator of the Year is such an honor,” Fisher said. “The design industry has been so good to me over the years, and I feel it’s my responsibility to give back to the next generation. It’s an incredible honor to be recognized for doing something I love.”
Who is Robin Fisher?
The interior design instructor teaches her students to find their own unique and authentic style. Her alumni and pupils describe her as “super funny” and not surprisingly, “the best instructor ever.” Fisher portrays passion and dedication to her students, who are the industry’s up-and-coming talent.
- She is obsessed with Grammy-winning rap star Doechii.
- Relishes the color purple in its many hues.
- Dreams of taking her students to Milan to attend the EuroCucina Kitchen & Bath Furnishings & Design Show.
Fisher’s recognition at the industry-leading event attended by professionals nationwide highlights her contributions to kitchen and bath design education. According to the NKBA, Fisher combines “award-winning creativity with a deep passion for education, mentorship, and innovation,” qualities that have made her an influential figure in her field.
Since starting her design career in 1989, she has successfully launched both a residential design-build remodeling company and an independent residential design firm. Her contributions to the industry earned her a spot among Kitchen & Bath Design News’ Top 50 Innovators in 2017.
Fisher’s dedication extends well beyond the classroom. For five years, she has brought PCC design students to the conference, offering invaluable exposure to the industry’s premier professionals. This year, Fisher hosted a special VIP event at the show to spotlight her students, describing the experience as “off the charts” for those in attendance.
“I really get jazzed when I hear about students’ successes after graduation,” she said.
Fisher, who is the faculty chair of the Interior Design Program, joined PCC in 2003. Currently, she is working with industry leaders to establish a cutting-edge lighting and cabinetry lab at PCC’s Sylvania Campus. This effort will further elevate interior design and allow partnering with other college programs to create a collaborative lab experience, she said.
This all part of her bigger plan for her program.
“We have students coming from all over the U.S. and Japan,” Fisher said. “I want our program recognized as the best two-year residential design program in the U.S.”
This year, two of her students were named to NKBA’s “30 Under 30,” an exclusive group of rising stars in kitchen and bath design. This accomplishment brings the total to five PCC graduates earning this distinction—a testament to Fisher’s impact. Members of the NKBA’s selection committee stated she instills confidence in students who often lack it upon entering the professional world and actively connects them with industry leaders. Many continue seeking her mentorship long after graduation.
Fisher receiving her award.
Peers and industry colleagues also praised Fisher’s dedication to realism and creativity in design education. Here is a sampling of comments by the selection committee:
- “She doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges of the industry. Instead, she prepares her students for real-world experiences.”
- “She encourages students to explore their unique voices, fostering a creative and inclusive learning environment.”