Students that Rock

I’m not an easy teacher. I push, and I push hard. If you have visited my website before or have seen me present at conferences you may have read up on my pedagogy and how I like to use methods common to sports psychology in my classroom. The goal is to get them to work as a team rather than compete against one another because I have learned through research that GenY and GenZ prefer to work together to overcome issues (which is contrary to GenX). However, one of the issues this has created is the need for affirmation.

For me (a member of GenX) the only affirmation I needed was looking around and seeing that I was the best in the room. However, for Gens Y and Z it isn’t so simple. They want to see results without that devaluing the efforts of their classmates. This is where their affirmation meets mine. I’ve already written in length on the importance of awards in regard to affirmation (see previous post) but I haven’t written about how it has helped to propel and reestablish the trajectory of Graphic Design at Southern Miss after COVID.

For the first time in school history 2 students from our program have been selected as “Students to Watch” by GDUSA. Much like AIGA, GDUSA is a recognized authority in the graphic design industry and has been in publication from its New York office for 60 years. To say that this means a lot would be an understatement. Students on this list represent some of the greatest design programs in the country such as RISD, MICA, Cranbrook, Yale and the University of North Texas (a consistent winner of Top Design School at the National Student Show and Conference). 

GDUSA’s recognition of our students’ work did not stop there. Two students were also winners in their 59^thAnniversary Package Design Awards Competition. This is also the first time that students from Southern Miss have won awards in a GDUSA competition. 

Along with these awards students have continued their exceptional performance at the AAF Addy Awards. These merit-based awards are unique in that students are not rated against each other but rather awarded based on the level of the work. Two years ago, our program achieved great heights by setting a school record of 60 awards and though this year we did not beat that record we came extremely close, with 52 which included the Best in Show and 3 Judge’s Choice Awards. It’s worth noting that this is significant given that due to COVID and the virtual hybrid learning model that was in effect students had fewer projects. 

The student accolades haven’t been limited to awards or honors. Recently we’ve had 5 students published in Creative Quarterly and another exhibit in Work: a national exhibition of student design work at Jacksonville State University. 

It’s been said that an educator is paid more through their psychic income than they are through their salary. Having been an educator now for over a decade I can confirm this sentiment. The cynical will say this is because of the absurdly low salary and poor conditions that educators work in. Though that argument is valid, I believe the real reason is because of the value of service and the outcome of that service. The accolades above that my students have achieved are an amazing example of their efforts and the education they’re receiving from my colleagues and I here at Southern Miss. These outcomes have helped to reestablish our place as a rising program by showcasing our students, their work, and our program which is training some of the best future designers in the country after a really tumultuous pandemic. 

Lastly, I want to highlight a little love that I received from some of the most appreciative students I’ve had in a while. Earlier this semester I was surprised with a huge gift basket by the Juniors in our student design organization, Creative Collective. It was filled with all the things they know I love (RC Cola, Zero Bars, Oreos, and more) and some amazing and touching letters (I cried… I’m a cryer) showing their appreciation for what I do. As a teacher who pushes it isn’t often when I receive such open displays of appreciation. I think for me this is a lot like receiving my own award or honor that affirms that I might be doing alright.