Student Success and Industry Connections
The past few semesters have been filled with remarkable student achievements and inspiring industry connections that remind me why I love teaching. Watching students transform classroom concepts into award-winning work and take initiative in their professional development has been truly rewarding.
American Advertising Federation Awards: Clean Slate Botanicals Project
My Fundamentals of Advertising students recently received well-deserved recognition at the American Advertising Federation Awards for their collaborative project with Clean Slate Botanicals. The project challenged them to develop comprehensive media assets for a real client, pushing them to apply theoretical concepts in practical, customer-facing situations. Shout out to Ben at Clean Slate
Illustration Design
In this multi discipline course students were challenged to create pieces cohesively for one client. Several design students made assets that could be used for stickers and social media.
Product Engagement
The client asked the students to design a process for a consistent product visual. Two approaches were offered, methodical standards for traditional photography, and building a 3D model. The 3D model makes it simple to explore new designs by changing the label and color.
Several students took home awards for their innovative projects and professional executions. What impressed me most was the journey they took to get there—the research phases where they deeply analyzed ideas, the sessions where initial concepts evolved into usable media, and the presentation skills developed while pitching to the client.
Congrats!!!!
AAF Agency Crawl: A Huge Thanks to The Professionals For Taking The Time
The AAF Agency Crawl was a great follow up opportunity for students to connect classroom learning with professional practice. We toured several media agencies, gaining firsthand insights into workplace cultures, creative processes, and industry expectations.
The portfolio review component proved especially valuable, as students received direct feedback from industry professionals. I observed many "light bulb moments" connecting our classroom discussions about portfolio development with real-world professional standards. The constructive criticism they received—about everything from concept development to presentation techniques—seemed to resonate more deeply coming from potential employers. Thanks Shreveport Bossier AAF Chapter
Reflections on Teaching and Learning
Moments like these reaffirm my belief in experiential learning. While classroom instruction provides foundations, watching students engage with industry professionals and real clients brings a dimension to their education that lectures alone cannot provide.
I'm reminded that sometimes the most important thing we can do as educators is to create opportunities and then step back, allowing students to discover their own capabilities and direction.
