In Memoriam of Diane Hurd

Dear West Valley College Community, 

 

 

Diane was a deeply respected and cherished member of the West Valley College community for more than three decades. She was known by her students as a faculty member who believed wholeheartedly in their potential and took great care in supporting their growth. Her colleagues admired her dedication, professionalism, and the genuine care she brought to the community she helped shape. 

 

As an interior design faculty member and department chair, Diane played a pivotal role in building a program grounded in both creativity and professional practice. She was passionate about connecting learning to real world application and took great pride in preparing students for meaningful careers in design. Diane often spoke about how rewarding it was to watch students grow in confidence and to see families celebrate milestones together. Those moments, she shared, were what made her work so fulfilling. 

 

“From my very first day at West Valley, Diane was a constant source of encouragement and support. Her dedication, energy, and vision were foundational to the growth of the School of Art and Design and to Cilker’s standing as a respected center for creative education. Diane’s legacy lives on through the students, faculty, and programs she helped build.” - Shannon Mirabelli-Lopez, Dean of Bill & Leila Cilker School of Art & Design 

 

Diane’s influence is reflected in the countless students she mentored, the colleagues she inspired, and the strong foundation she helped establish at West Valley College. Her contributions and spirit will continue to shape the campus community for years to come. 

 

“As one of Diane Hurd’s former students, I wanted to share how deeply meaningful her impact was on my life. Diane was not only an extraordinary educator—she was the person who inspired me to pursue interior design with rigor, integrity, and purpose. Her belief in her students shaped the designer and leader I am today, and I know I am just one of many whose lives she profoundly influenced,” - Divya Vijayanandakumar, California Peninsula ASID President 

 

Diane’s family has shared their wish to hold a memorial service on campus at Cilker. We will share details with the community as soon as arrangements are confirmed. We are also working with Student Services to thoughtfully support Diane’s students during this time. 

 

As we grieve this loss together, I encourage everyone to take care of themselves and one another and to extend kindness and compassion during this difficult time. 

 

For those needing additional support at this time, we encourage you to make use of available resources: 

  

EAP is available as a 24/7 confidential service to employees and family members of WVMCCD. It offers free short-term counseling visits for almost any personal issue, including grief counseling. 

  

Please find more information on counseling services and contact information in the following link:  https://www.wvm.edu/services/human-resources/benefits/full-time/employee-assistance-program.html