Developing Design Leaders + Award Winners
Mentoring students and finding their magic nuggets is the most rewarding part of my career. Student success outcomes stem from methodologies outlined in my published research in design entrepreneurship, social design, my book Stand Out, and extensive professional practice experience.
KEAN UNIVERSITY BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION
Design students competed with almost 100 students each year in the last three years running in the Kean University Business Plan Competition and won second place! Stages one through three consisted of writing an executive summary and developing a business model—things students need to learn to do. Other deliverables include a business plan, marketing campaign, and a three-year financial forecast. After the qualifying rounds, students designed and pitched a six-minute presentation in front of a panel of judges and a live audience.
STARTING OVER
© Shelley Mizrahi
SECOND PLACE, 2021
Starting Over is a mobile application targeted to women “survivors”—women who left abusive and controlling relationships. The app provides resources for women to take control of their lives and help them flourish independently.
Developed in collaboration with Dr. Saran Nurse, Kean University, College of Business and Public Management
SECOND PLACE, 2019
Trauma is a mobile application and first aid kit to mitigate the time spent between emergency and the arrival of professional help on a scene. The purpose is to connect individuals with 911 dispatchers utilizing video to walk them through crises.
Developed in collaboration with Henry Stankiewicz, Kean University, Michael Graves College
FORTE
SECOND PLACE, 2018
Forte is a mobile application designed for musicians to collaborate with their peers and other industry professionals. The app allows users to get feedback on their songs and production efforts, organize meet-ups to collaborate and practice, and connect users with producers, venue owners, and other executives that would be otherwise out of reach.
Developed in collaboration with Edward Johnston, Kean University, Michael Graves College
ONE CLUB FOR CREATIVITY / YOUNG ONES STUDENT AWARDS
The One Club Young Ones Student Awards is a global creative competition that challenges students in creative studies to put their best foot forward in hopes of winning one of the first honors of their burgeoning careers. Several students in the graphic design program have won student awards, but Jacqueline and Liam won international awards for their entire portfolios. We help students develop professional-like projects by mentoring them on the "proto-portfolio" process in which my colleague Edward Johnston and I codified. Proto-portfolio is a teaching method where students validate their ideas and continually iterate their projects to develop believable design concepts that professionals mistake for "real."
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AWARD, 2020
Jacqueline strives to make technology more inclusive through human-centered design. She is currently an Associate Experience Designer at YMLY&R.
Developed in collaboration with Edward Johnston, Kean University, Michael Graves College
PORTFOLIO / Animation + Visual Effects
© Liam Elias
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AWARD, 2019
Originally from Havana, Liam grew up wondering what the world would be like beyond the stories on the television screen. Today he is an award-winning 3D animator helping shape riveting stories at SCHOLAR.
Developed in collaboration with Edward Johnston, Kean University, Michael Graves College
KEAN UNIVERSITY MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Because of my extensive professional practice and life experiences, I have a lot to offer students: the skills it takes to be successful as a professional and what it takes to be a good human being. I help them develop soft skills such as empathy, patience, grace, and appreciation and stress the importance of self-love. These qualities help develop a holistic person who will be successful in whatever journey they may take.
MICHAEL GRAVES COLLEGE ASSOCIATION
Faculty Advisor: 2024+
Industrial Design student Maria Torres was inspired by the founder of the Kean Sports Business Club (see the following story) to establish a student-run organization for Michael Graves College. Although the college previously had clubs for individual programs, none are active. Recognizing this gap, Maria saw an opportunity to create a club that included graphic design, interior design, industrial design, advertising, and architecture students. After soliciting faculty recommendations for potential leaders, the group quickly defined their focus on collaboration and community, supporting one another's growth. Maria's dedication was evident as she camped outside my office until I agreed to be the club's faculty advisor.
MGCA Executive Board (Left to right): Sujeiry Jerez (INTD), Giovanna Marques (GD), Anthony Sorrentino (ARCH), (the) Maria Torres (IND), Gabby Correa (GD), and Julia Gomes (AD).
SPORTS BUSINESS CLUB + SUMMIT
Mentor: 2024
The interdisciplinary, experiential learning course I teach, with the NY Jets as a client, is highly competitive. Students must interview for graphic design, marketing, management, or communication spots. One marketing student who truly stood out was Sebastian Salazar. Not only did he have great ideas, but he also had the skills to execute them. His likable personality made him a natural leader, inspiring others to support his initiatives. Sebastian proposed the creation of a Sports Business Summit to President Repollet of Kean, who provided the necessary funding. By leveraging designers from his team and faculty involved in the Jets course, I helped guide Sebastian in developing the brand identity for the Sports Business Club and Summit. Upon graduating in Spring 2024, the NY Jets offered him a position.
EEO/EOF PROGRAM
Lead Mentor: 2018–2020
The EEO/EOF Program provides student-centered advising, counseling, and academic support services to assist students in developing their educational, interpersonal, and professional goals. In addition, mentors work with a new group of seven students in a "Circle of 8" and mentor young people on their start in college.
Highlights include mentoring first-year student Kendra Bender on developing project work for application and acceptance into the Architectural Studies program, guiding peer mentor-student Melissa Rojas to apply for graduate school (Teachers College, Columbia University), and assisting several students in navigating the challenges of life and convincing them to remain in college.
I was honored to be selected Kean's 2020 Lead Mentor of the Year!
RESEARCH ALIGNED MENTORSHIP
Mentor: 2016–2020
The Research Aligned Mentorship (RAM) program is a highly prestigious program funded by a major grant awarded to Kean University by the United States Department of Education. The program was designed to lower the college drop-out rate, increase graduation rates, and get students more opportunities for success and advancement in their fields. It provides extra benefits and rewards to enhance learning and gives RAM students opportunities not available to others.
RAM mentors worked with students in their subject matter expertise. In addition to RAM-sponsored events, I enjoyed taking my mentees to design industry events and working with them to find internships. One highlight is providing a recruiter with a glowing recommendation for student Tiffany Thebodeau and securing a summer gig at the prestigious NYC branding firm, Turner Duckworth.
MCNAIR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Mentor: © Amanda Hernandez, 2019
Through the McNair Scholarship Program, students conduct research projects throughout the summer alongside faculty mentors. The program also prepares students to succeed after graduation by developing graduate school readiness skills.
I was honored to be selected by Amanda to guide her in developing her project research report and the design of the brand identity. I was very proud of her because she presented her final project flawlessly, which empowered her to overcome public speaking.
Project SAFE KEEP: Experts suggest that people struggling with homelessness live in a constant state of mental and physical insecurity. To help alleviate this anxiety, Safe Keep is a program that directly provides anti-theft bags to homeless persons living in New York.