Stephanie is currently a graduate student in the College of Design at the University of Minnesota. She is working towards completing an MFA in Graphic Design next year, She plans to continue on to get a PhD in Design, God-willing. Each semester, she teaches and assists with undergraduate design classes. Her recent research interests are focused on exploring the concept of creativity and studying how to better teach creativity.
WHAT YOU DO • • • After Bethany, I spent several years teaching design and technology in a variety of schools. I had the opportunity to teach at international schools in the Dominican Republic and South Korea, as well as at schools in Minnesota. The diverse and amazing experiences I had at these schools motivated my interest in creativity, its place in education, and differences/similarities in international understandings of creativity. Now, as a graduate student at UMN, I am able to spend time researching how creativity can be better taught in the classroom.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU • • • There’s no end to learning in the field of design (or any field really). The incredible depth and complexity of the world around us and the way we interact with it and each other motivates me to keep learning. I am continually inspired by the people around me and the work they do. I enjoy working with students and watching as they use skills they learn in class to create and design.
HOW YOU WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE • • • I want to live my life in a way that adds value to others. A part of that larger goal is to use design to improve the lives of those around me and to create meaningful experiences.
HOW BETHANY HAS PREPARED YOU • • • Every college/university design program teaches technical skills; most of these programs also offer additional opportunities for learning that are unique to their program. For me, Bethany went one step beyond this and provided an environment that allowed me to create my own opportunities. I was encouraged to pursue areas and projects of interest that perhaps were not part of the designated curriculum.
WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST • • • Everything I remember most about Bethany is connected to the relationships I formed while there. Relationships and community are areas that Bethany excels in. More and more, I also value the college’s commitment to Christian values. There is a certain freedom in learning in an environment that has a united understanding of truth.
ADVICE FOR CURRENT STUDENTS • • • In the words of Professor Andy Overn during my time at Bethany – be content but never complacent. Work hard, strive for excellence, and prioritize your relationship with God and others