SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ÊÓƵ

Why did you choose your major or graduate degree program? What interested you in this particular field of study?
Growing up, I became obsessed with drawing and painting. I dreamed of having a life where I could he creative like this every day. When I got to high school, I took a couple graphic design classes, and I learned this could be a career, getting paid to create art for a living! Senior year of high school is when I decided I really wanted to pursue graphic design.

What did you like about being in this program at CBU?
The CAVAD program at CBU is unlike any design program in the nation. To study in CAVAD meant getting to grow creatively and spiritually simultaneously. The design program seems to become grander each year, and I believe that is the result of a program that truly cares about its students and how they develop as people - something that is rare to find in a school.

What did you think about your professors?
The CAVAD professors are the best of the best. They are leaders who currently work in the creative industry, and pour their wisdom and knowledge into the students with love and compassion. They desire for us to grow as designers but, more importantly, for us to grow as human beings. They would frequently check in on us to see how we are doing in the class but also how we are doing outside of the classroom. I am so grateful to have had these professors during my college years!

Did you complete an internship or any field work?
Going into my senior year, I had the opportunity to be an intern at M Factor in Burbank, CA. There I got to work on several campaigns for blockbuster movies like Disney, Marvel, and Warner Bros films. I was pinching myself the whole time during the internship because I frequently dreamed of one day getting to work on projects like these after graduating. It was an amazing opportunity! 

Did you participate in anything else at CBU?
I was very involved with the First Year Experience or FYE program at CBU. While working in FYE, our goal was to help new students feel acclimated and welcomed into CBU during their first semester on campus. I was involved with the transfer dept in FYE because when I transferred to CBU during my freshman year, the leaders in FYE made me feel especially welcome... I really wanted to do the same to new students coming into school!

Did your program help you figure out your purpose?
Yes, absolutely! When I first started college, I believed my purpose was to be an artist. After studying in CAVAD, I realized my purpose is to first, love God and love others. Everything we do then falls under that purpose. In Dean Dallas' class, my eyes truly opened to how everything we do should be for the glory of God, not for ourselves. When we design with our purpose in mind, that ultimately gives glory to God. Dallas really helped us understand that we can be a light to others in our fields in the way we conduct ourselves with our attitudes, to aim for excellence in our work, and even in the small moments in between.

What have you done since graduating?
I had the amazing opportunity to move to New York City after getting a job at Nickelodeon as a designer. It truly felt like a childhood dream come true because I grew up watching all of the Nickelodeon TV shows when I was little. While in New York, I got to work in their corporate office and work on insanely fun projects for the shows I watched while I grew up! During my time in the city, I also got connected with an event agency, who later hired me to create a Times Square billboard for Shaquille O'Neal's new candy, Shaq-A-Licious. I'm very thankful for my time in New York, and especially thankful to Professor Wright for encouraging me to move there and experience growing as a creative there.

What are your current job duties?
I currently work at Esri as a Graphic Illustrator. There, I get to create detailed illustrations and icons for their software. It's so fun because I work with many of my fellow classmates from CAVAD so in a funny way it feels like I'm in college again! The people there are so encouraging and kind, and it's a dream come true to go to work with your best friends every day!

How has your program and time at CBU prepared you for your life and career after college?
This program was unique in the sense that our professors sometimes gave us real-life projects with actual clients. During my senior year, I was chosen out of my class to create the branding and style guide for the Museum of Riverside in Downtown Riverside. I created a new logo, gave them a new color palette, and helped them establish a brand style. They are currently using my work still to this day, which is truly unbelievable! It was such an amazing opportunity I had during my senior year, and I'm so thankful to Professor Berger for guiding me during this project.

What are your future goals and plans?
My future plans are to keep pursuing specifically illustration freelance jobs. I would love to get to work in the children's book space or sell personal art eventually. 

Would you recommend CBU to others?
Absolutely! CBU will push you to become the best version of yourself and help you live your purpose. I have made lifelong friends here, and I am unbelievably thankful for the professors I studied under, SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ÊÓƵ has truly left a mark on my life!

Anything else you'd like to add? Anything else we should know about you?
While I'm not working, you can catch me at a local coffee shop doodling on an iPad! My favorite thing is to spend time with family and friends, so I try to fill my time seeing them as much as possible.