FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12-15-2006
Eastern New Mexico University student awarded XPRT Creative AIGA scholarship
PORTALES, NM — ENMU Senior Karen Rand was awarded the 2006 XPRT Creative AIGA Scholarship for her academic excellence, her artistic achievement and her involvement with the ENMU chapter of the AIGA.
AIGA is considered the professional association for design in the United States, and the ENMU student chapter was recently founded. Not surprisingly, Rand is the president of the student-run organization, and has been since the group was formed in 2006.
Rand was notified of her award shortly after the AIGA at ENMU group was established. "I was thrilled!" Rand exclaimed. "I found out about the scholarship about a week after our AIGA at ENMU student group became official and it was like the last piece of the puzzle coming together to get excited about where the group was headed."
Part of XPRT Creative’s mission is to make a difference for not only clients, but society and the world in general. Offering a scholarship is one way to help fulfill that goal. "I love that we can help; to offer a scholarship for a student who is working hard to make it through school (in our chosen profession, no less) is definitely a little step in the right direction," XPRT Creative President Jennifer Poyer said.
Prior to attending ENMU, Rand attended the University of New Mexico, "It’s UNM," Rand joked, "the University Near Mom."
"I transferred to ENMU because they had a design program that was not available at UNM. I chose to stay in-state because it was affordable, I believe an education is what you put into it, so I didn't mind transferring to a small school," Rand said.
Not only is she a 4.0 student, her love for graphic design makes her a clear standout to receive this scholarship. "I have always been interested with design in all forms. I really enjoy interior design but I think a graphic design degree will be more useful and I can always specialize later on. Ever since I could use crayons, I have been designing quilts for my mom to sew which is probably what made me originally interested in design."
As far as her creative side goes, she is a versatile and eager learner, "I like to mix as many mediums together as possible. I like to see how far I can push my work with anything around me. In both my art, and my design, I have used fire, coffee spills, gold leafing and paint splatters, or pretty much anything a college student can get their hands on!" She exclaimed, and then added "… Seeing improvement in my work is my favorite part of any class."
Future plans for Rand include looking for opportunities in the professional world, and to possibly attend graduate school or maybe even teach. "My plans are to start job searching this spring for a position at a design firm to start my career. I am still interested in grad school, but I want to work for a little while to see how I want to specialize or focus my education. Maybe in 20 years I would like to teach design at a college level ... but I'll just have to see where I end up!"
And XPRT Creative is looking forward to seeing where she ends up as well. "Although I did not have an opportunity to personally read the applications for this scholarship, just visiting with Karen makes me want to get even more involved with students and maybe start an internship program so they can get real, hands-on experience working with a creative firm." Poyer added. "That's definitely something we need to think seriously about."
About XPRT Creative
XPRT Creative was founded in 2004, is based out of New Mexico and Georgia, and can be found online at http://www.xprtcreative.com.