At NuVu High School, our team members bring diverse backgrounds, passions, and expertise to our design studio curriculum, shaping the unique educational experience we offer students. Creative Director Nada Elsonni blends architecture, design, research, and a deep commitment to hands-on learning. In this conversation, she shares her journey from Egypt to Michigan to NuVu, and how her life experience informs her work with students and coaches.

Q: What did you study in college, and why did you choose that path?
A: I studied architecture and engineering because I wanted something that combined art with scientific application. In high school, I was a strong A student, but didn’t connect with traditional, memorization-heavy learning. Architecture’s studio model—immersive, project-based work—completely shifted my mindset. I finally felt like I belonged.

Q: Where did you go to school, and how did that shape your career?
A: I completed my undergraduate degree in Egypt at the Arab Academy for Science and Technology, an RIBA-accredited school recognized by the British Royal Institute. I worked as an architect and interior designer, even running my own firm, after university. That led me to pursue a master’s at the University of Michigan in Architecture Design and Research. There, I explored “research through making,” creating wearables (electronic devices and software meant to be worn on the body) for people with autism that won awards and was presented internationally. That experience expanded my view of architecture beyond traditional practice.

Q: How has being a mother influenced your role as an educator?
A: Motherhood is a huge part of my identity. I became a mom at 24, and my kids have been alongside me through my business, my studies, and my creative work. They’ve grown up in studio environments, giving feedback and participating in design sprints. Being a single mother has made me adaptable, resilient, and efficient—skills I bring to my role at NuVu every day. I also draw on my early life in Libya during a time of war, which shaped my ability to persevere.

Q: What brought you to NuVu, and what do you do here?
A: A friend suggested NuVu High School because of my background in education, making, and research. I started as a Design Coach focused on architecture, product design, and wearables. I’ve always thought about the bigger picture—how each studio connects to NuVu’s mission, and how partnerships can deepen the student experience. Now, as Creative Director, I work with coaches to ensure studios are intentional, sustainable, and enriched by strategic partnerships.

Q: Why do you believe this type of education is important?
A: I’ve experienced firsthand how powerful it is to connect learning to real-world application. Project-based education gives students agency and makes their work meaningful. It encourages curiosity, depth, and creativity—things I wish I had earlier in my own education. At NuVu, I’ve never seen a student disengaged. That’s rare and special.

Q: What are you most looking forward to in NuVu’s future?
A: In the short term, I want us to share our work with the world and expand meaningful partnerships that enhance student experiences. Long term, I’d like NuVu to grow—not just in numbers, but in the ways we offer our model to others. I’m excited about finding new formats and opportunities for people to experience what we do.

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To learn more about NuVu High School, visit nuvuschool.org

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