Education

2016-2018
Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
Vermont College of Fine Arts | Montpelier, VT
Thesis: Hierarchical Space: How the Use of Space Creates Bias

2013-2014
Master of Arts in Educational Technology
Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI
Graduated with a 4.0 GPA in program

2002-2009
Master of Fine Arts: Studio Art/Graphic Design
Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI
43 credits completed

1996-1999
Bachelor of Fine Arts: Studio Art/Graphic Design
Wayne State University | Detroit, MI
Graduated Cum Laude

Teaching Experience

2016-Present
University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Lincoln, NE
Assistant Professor of Practice and Communication Design Coordinator
Courses Taught: Intro to Design Thinking, Visual Communications Core Modules I, Visual Communications Core Modules II, Advanced Visual Communications Modules, Visual Communication Project, Museum Exhibit Design, Typography 1, Jacht (Student Ad Agency), History of Women in Advertising, Broadcasting, Journalism and Sports, Bias in Media (Undergraduate/Graduate special topics class), and Adobe: Layout.

Additionally, I serve as coordinator for the Communication Design program including scheduling, writing curriculum, staffing with adjuncts as needed, training faculty, and supervising GAs and lab assistants.

2005-2016, 2020-21
Mott Community College | Flint, MI
Adjunct Faculty, Fine Arts and Social Sciences Division and Advisor
Courses Taught: Intro to Graphic Design Theory and Practice (online and in person), Graphic Design Survey (online and in person), Intro to Computer Based Art, Typography and Type Design, Publication Design for Web I, Publication Design for Web II, Intro to 3D Modeling and Digital Art, Two Dimensional Design, Corporate Identity, Studio 205, and various independent studies.

WINTER 2015
Mott Community College | Flint, MI
Temporary Full Time (One semester appointment)
Courses Taught: Intro to Graphic Design Theory and Practice, Typography and Type Design, Publication Design for Web I, Two Dimensional Design, and Studio 205.

2008-2014
ITT Technical Institute: Swartz Creek
Instructor
Courses Taught: Rapid Visualization Techniques, Sustainable Graphic Design, Modeling in 3D, Animation I, Animation II, Design Project, Graphic Communications and Design Capstone Project, Graphic Design for the Web, Instructional Design, Visual Design Theory, Interactive Communication Design, Interactive Design with Flash, Broadcast Graphics, Video Production Techniques, Audio/Video Techniques, Graphic Design Production Processes and Digital Prepress.

FALL 2011
University of Michigan: Flint, MI
LEO Lecturer
Courses Taught: Visual Communications Theory and Process (Online)

FALL 2007
College for Creative Studies: Detroit, MI
Instructor (Part-time), Continuing Education
Courses Taught: Advanced Web Design and Actionscripting

Work Experience

2003 – PRESENT
Freelance Designer/Art Director | Lincoln, NE
Responsibilities included art direction, initial concept development, layout, and production on a variety of print materials including brochures, posters, flyers, newsletters and advertisements as well as development and production of websites.

Clients: Fox Run, MQHA, Stoops Freightliner, Greater Flint Arts Council, Electro-Matic Products, Inc., Northville and Novi Garden Club, Michigan State University Department of Pediatrics, Kresge Art Museum, Weight Watchers of Western Michigan, and Atlantis Campus Communities

2015 – 2016
Wayne State University College of Medicine | Detroit, MI
Instructional Technology Designer
Responsibilities included maintaining Blackboard sites for faculty and developing instructional materials for the faculty. Additionally, the position involves some tech support for students.

2014 – 2015
Michigan Education Association | East Lansing, MI
Graphic Design and Multi-Media Specialist
Responsibilities included logo design, development of yearly calendar, development of conference and training materials, video taping and editing, basic web updating, tweeting, development of materials for elections, and other various print and multi-media projects.

2005 - 2009
Electro-Matic Products, Inc. | Farmington Hills, MI
Contract Graphic Designer/Art Director
Responsibilities included art direction, initial concept development, layout, and production on a variety of print materials including brochures, mailers, and advertisements as well as development of their four websites.

2002 – 2004
Weight Watchers of Western Michigan, Inc. | East Lansing, MI
Website and Graphic Design Specialist
Responsibilities included all print design and production and all website design, functionality development and content management for the Western Michigan and Northern Indiana franchise, the Italian franchise and the Greek franchise.

1999 – 2002
Octane Design | Detroit, MI
Graphic Designer
Responsibilities included account management along with print design and production for John Deere Landscapes (formerly Century Rain Aid), website management and content update for Singh and National Birchwood, assisting with print production for a variety of clients, and assisting with website design for a variety of clients.

Workshops, Professional Development, Grants, and Conference Presentations

Surviving Academia (Moderator) & Conference Organizer
SHIFTED: AIGA Design Educators Community Virtual Summit - August 2021 | Virtual

Designing Effective Instructional Design (Moderator)
Adobe Education Summit - July 2021 | Virtual
Invited Moderator/Presenter - International Participation

Student-Faculty Collaboration Grant: 2021
University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Center for Transformative Teaching | $1,000 Grant
Title: Co-Creating Curriculum Change: Using Student Centered Design to Increase Student Success Rates for Underrepresented Populations

Mentor Panel: Self-Care and Mental Health Panelist: 2021
Adobe Creative Career Discord | Virtual/Zoom

Roundtable: Paths for research (Panelist)
SHIFT: AIGA Design Educators Community Virtual Summit - August 2020 | Virtual

Designing Effective Instructional Design (Moderator)
Adobe Education Summit - July 2020 | Virtual

Roundtable: Paths for research (Panelist)
SHIFT: AIGA Design Educators Community Virtual Summit - August 2020 | Virtual

Designing Effective Instructional Design (Moderator)
Adobe Education Summit - July 2020 | Virtual

Hierarchical Space: How the Use of Space Creates Bias
CAA 2020 Annual Conference - February 2020 | Chicago, IL

Inclusive Excellence Development Grant
Grant focuses on using VR to help with diversity and bias training on campus. Grant awarded to a group of faculty including myself along with Dr. Changmin Yan, Dr. Adam Wagler, and Alan Eno. University of Nebraska–Lincoln - Spring 2019 | Lincoln, NE

Communication Design Program Workshops
A variety of workshops covering Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere, Photoshop, Audition, After Effects, and creating a portfolio and resume
College of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE

Rethinking Visual Communication: Curriculum The Success of Emporium Style Teaching Model
AIGA MAKE Conference, Indianapolis, IN

Rethinking Visual Communication: The Success of Emporium Style, Lecture: Year Two
Pedagogy and Technology Symposium, Nebraska Online, Lincoln, NE

Lincoln AMA Workshop Presenter
AMA Lincoln, Lincoln, NE

Rethinking Visual Communication: Curriculum The Success of Emporium Style, Lecture: Year One
Pedagogy and Technology Symposium, Nebraska Online, Lincoln, NE

Letterpress Printing: Old-School Meets New Age Expression
Mott Community College, Center for Teaching and Learning Faculty Presentation

Establishing High Expectations without Freaking Out Your Students: It’s More Art Than Science
Mott Community College, Center for Teaching and Learning Faculty Presentation

How to Create a More Accessible, Less Intimidating and Super Good-Looking Syllabus
Mott Community College, Center for Teaching and Learning Faculty Presentation

Storyboarding: The Key to Creating Engaging Videos for Leaners
2014 The Teaching Professor Technology Conference in Denver, CO

Process/Print: Letterpress Basics
Mott Community College, Center for Teaching and Learning Faculty Presentation

Rethinking the Syllabus: Setting the Stage for Success
2014 LAND Conference in Bay City, MI

Blackboard & Google Fair: Blackboard Rubrics
Mott Community College, Center for Teaching and Learning Faculty Presentation

Using Blackboard Rubric Function
Mott Community College, Peer to Peer Workshop 2013

University/College Service

College of Journalism and mass Communications Technology Committee: 2021-2022
College of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Lincoln, NE

Husker Dialogues Steering Committee: 2020, Marketing Committee Co-chair: 2021
University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Lincoln, NE

HFaculty Compensation Advisory Committee: 2020 - Present
University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Lincoln, NE

College of Journalism and Mass Communications Diversity and Inclusion Committee: 2020-2021
College of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Lincoln, NE

College of Journalism and Mass Communications Promotion and Tenure Committee: 2020-2021
College of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Lincoln, NE

Scholarship & Creative Activity Strategic Planning Committee: 2020-2021
College of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Lincoln, NE

Faculty Compensation Advisory Committee: 2020-Present
University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Lincoln, NE

Husker Dialogues Conversation Guide: Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Fall 2020
University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Lincoln, NE

ITSC Committee: 2017-2020, Chair 2018-19 and 2019-20 School Years
University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Lincoln, NE

College of Journalism and Mass Communications Dean Search Committee Member: 2019
College of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Lincoln, NE

NUSAMS Faculty Advisor: 2017-2019
University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Lincoln, NE

Chief Information Officer Search Committee Member: 2019
University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Lincoln, NE

Visual Communications PoP Search Chair: 2018
College of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Lincoln, NE

Graduate Travel Application Reviewer: Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Summer 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Summer 2019, Fall 2019
University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Lincoln, NE

Alternate Capstone Reviewer: Spring 2018, Fall 2018
College of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Lincoln, NE

Portfolio Reviewer: Spring 2017, Spring 2018
School of Art, Art History, and Design, University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Lincoln, NE

Executive Committee: 2017-2018
College of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Lincoln, NE

Progressive ADMITS Event: 2017
College of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Lincoln, NE

ADPR PoP Search Committee Member: 2016-2017
College of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Nebraska–Lincoln | Lincoln, NE

Professional Service

AIGA Design Educators Community Steering Committee: 2021-Present
AIGA Design Educator’s Committee | National

Adobe Education Leader: 2018-Present
Adobe

AIGA DEC, Slack Channel Moderator: 2020-Present
AIGA Design Educator’s Committee | National

Board Member, President: 2018-2020
AIGA Nebraska | Omaha & Lincoln, NE

AIGA Design Education Symposium Proposal Reviewer: 2019
AIGA Design Educators Committee

Adobe Design Achievement Awards Judge: 2019
Adobe

Innovation Studio Workshop Instructor: 2017-Present
Innovation Studio | Lincoln, NE

MAKE Conference Proposal Reviewer: 2018
AIGA Design Educators Committee/MAKE Conference organizers

Board Member, Show Chair and Co-Chair: 2016-2018
AIGA Nebraska | Lincoln, NE

NSAA State Journalism Competition: Spring 2017, Spring 2018
NSAA | Lincoln, NE

NE DECA State Conference Judge: 2017
Nebraska DECA | Lincoln, NE

Board Member, Education Chair: 2015-2016
AIGA Detroit | Detroit, MI

Graphic Design Club Co-Advisor: 2013-2016
Mott Community College | Flint, MI

Impact 48: 2013
AIGA Community Impact Event | Detroit, MI