When Dana Harbaugh talks about Spokane’s schools, his passion is unmistakable. “Having a really strong school system means you have a really strong community,” says Harbaugh, President and CEO of NAC Architecture. “The buildings are a part of that.”
For Harbaugh, school buildings are not simply structures. They’re spaces where futures are shaped, and communities are founded. His conviction has guided both his career and his civic involvement, most recently through NAC Architecture’s support for Greater Spokane Inc.’s INSchools Community Campaign, an effort to strengthen the bond among education, business, and community.
Building Trust Through Stories
The INSchools initiative isn’t about one levy or election cycle. It’s about sustaining trust and creating an ongoing dialogue between schools and the people who depend on them. The campaign’s mission is deceptively simple: tell authentic stories about what’s happening inside Spokane’s classrooms, laboratories, studios, and shops.
When people hear those stories, Harbaugh believes, they understand why investment in education matters. “Capturing the stories about what our students have accomplished is a great way to share how our schools directly contribute to student success,” he says. That vision aligns perfectly with INSchools’ goal: to make visible the ongoing excellence in Spokane’s public schools, not just in the weeks leading up to a ballot measure but in everyday community life.
From Blueprint to Legacy
For Harbaugh, the cause is both professional and personal. His parents were educators, and two of his daughters graduated from Spokane Public Schools. Education has always been part of his family’s fabric, and now, through NAC’s work, also part of his city’s built environment.
The firm’s history in education stretches back more than 40 years. NAC’s early work on the “Rainbow Schools” established new design standards for learning environments across the region. Today, that legacy continues in projects that promote connection, creativity, and well-being.
Walk into an NAC-designed school, and you’ll notice something immediately: it feels alive. Wide, light-filled corridors encourage movement and collaboration. Flexible classrooms adapt to a range of learning styles. Cafeterias serve as gathering spaces, and outdoor courtyards provide space for reflection. “We design the most important buildings in the world,” Harbaugh says, “because they are the places where our future is being shaped through education. And what is more important than that?”
That same spirit of design-as-community-investment drives Harbaugh’s commitment to INSchools. NAC Architecture became the first business partner to step forward in support, helping to launch the campaign and set a standard for long-term corporate involvement.
Harbaugh’s approach to community investment reflects his architectural philosophy: sustainability through stewardship. “Investing in education is important, and our region does a great job.”
When Design Meets Data
Harbaugh is quick to point out that modern facilities are more than aesthetic upgrades—they also drive student pride, teacher retention, and public trust. “Part of it was buildings, investing in the community, and then the students taking ownership and pride,” Harbaugh recalls of a recent project. “Another part was the culture of the administration. These things do make a difference.”
The evidence backs that up. Spokane’s Rogers High School, recognized nationally for improved graduation rates and academic performance, shows what sustained investment can accomplish. And programs like the Institute of Science and Technology (IST) at North Central High School, housed in a facility designed by NAC and named for beloved teacher Randy James, continue to inspire. “That project and what they do at that school and that program are phenomenal,” says Harbaugh. “They are doing college-level research, and the quality of that work is amazing.”
These examples show what happens when great design meets educational goals. However, Harbaugh warns that success in the classroom does not mean victory at the ballot box. A recent failure of a bond measure showed how important communication and storytelling are. Without clear narratives that highlight tangible return on investment, even the best programs struggle to earn public support.
The Power of a Shared Narrative
For Harbaugh, the solution is not just better messaging, but broader participation. “I was a bit of a spokesperson,” he recalls. “I shared my reasons for thinking it was important and hoped others would share my beliefs and join the cause.”
That philosophy is central to INSchools. The campaign empowers educators, students, and business leaders alike to tell their stories, weaving a collective narrative that builds trust across sectors.
In many ways, Harbaugh’s work reflects the best of Spokane’s civic character: steady, practical, deeply rooted in community. “For more than 30 years,” he says, “it’s been a great place to raise a family, in part because it is a great place for public education.”
At its heart, INSchools is about ownership: of pride, of progress, and of the stories that define both. Spokane’s history of educational excellence is long, but its future depends on keeping that story fresh and visible. Through thoughtful, consistent engagement and a belief in the power of shared storytelling, Dana Harbaugh and NAC Architecture are helping ensure that Spokane’s educational narrative continues to evolve.
Learn more about how you can support GSI’s IN School’s campaign to foster stronger connections between our schools and the communities they serve.