Susquehanna University has been named a Top Design School by Graphic Design USA — the third consecutive year Susquehanna’s program has been recognized by the industry publication.
GD USA’s annual list recognizes graphic design programs that excel in cultivating critical thinking, adaptability and a passion for innovation. The list is diverse, featuring 100 art and design schools, university departments and online or hybrid programs. Susquehanna is named among such esteemed programs as the California Institute of the Arts, Rhode Island School of Design, the Savannah College of Art and Design, The New School and North Carolina State, Ohio State and Yale universities.
“To be recognized alongside some of the nation’s most respected design programs is incredibly meaningful,” said Amanda Lenig, associate professor of graphic design and department head of art & design at Susquehanna University. “It reflects the strength of a curriculum that blends creativity with practical experience and prepares students to become adaptable, forward-thinking designers ready to succeed in an evolving industry.”
Two named ‘Students to Watch’
The ranking caps a year of recognitions for Susquehanna’s graphic design program and its students, including Liam Fisher ’27 and Alli Himler ’26, who were named among Graphic Design USA’s Students to Watch.
Himler told the magazine that she draws creative inspiration from other students in Susquehanna’s graphic design program.
“My peers are both my inspiration and my competition,” she said. “We are quick to call each other out on the ‘low-hanging-fruit’ ideas, which pushes us to find fresh and distinctive solutions.”
Fisher is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design while Himler recently graduated with dual degrees in graphic design and communications-broadcasting.
SU dominates at The Real Show
Students won 28 awards from George Mason University School of Art’s annual student design competition known as The Real Show, far outpacing all of the other 18 participating programs.
Award-winners were:
- Nora Alaishuski ’28, silver, exhibition design; merit, branding
- Ripley Artlip ’27, silver, branding
- Allyson Bosler ’28, silver, exhibition design
- Ginger Brown ’26, silver, infographic; silver, packaging
- Keira Carbone ’27, silver, branding
- Calder Clark ’28, silver, branding
- Carissa Croner ’28, silver, exhibition design
- William Goodnow ’28, silver, branding
- Allison Himler ’26, silver, infographic
- Sadie Jarolin ’27, silver, infographic; merit, packaging
- Molly Karom ’28, silver, exhibition design
- Kyra Keenan ’26, silver, editorial design
- Curly Mace ’27, silver, branding
- Molly McGuire ’26, silver, packaging
- Rachel Meyer-Pflug ’28 silver, exhibition design
- Adrianna Nicholas ’27, silver, infographic
- Kahlan Yaskowski ’28, silver, exhibition design
- Wyatt Adams ’28, merit, exhibition design
- Thomas Hover ’28, merit, exhibition design
- Renee Hummel ’26, merit, exhibition design
- Sam Miller ’26, merit, packaging, infographic
- Nolan Moore ’28, merit, branding
- Zachary Piecyk ’26, merit, packaging
- Liam Reiley ’26, merit, packaging
Students win top awards at the ADDYs
In March, students won several awards from the American Advertising Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, known as the ADDY Awards, including:
- Ginger Brown ’26, Judge’s Choice, direct marketing: Margaret Atwood book covers
- Samantha Cubberley ’26, silver, integrated brand identity campaign: Austin City Limits Music Festival.
- Kyra Keenan ’26, gold, integrated brand identity campaign: Insomnia Cookies & Coffee; and Judge’s Choice, cover/editorial spread or feature: Rambler editorial magazine.
- Anna Lesher ’26, gold and Best of Show, integrated advertising campaign: “Hear Her Out” PSA campaign; and gold, integrated brand identity campaign: TravelBug brand & style guide.
- Adrianna Nicholas ’27, silver, packaging: The Wildwood postcard collection.
The American Advertising Awards are widely acknowledged to be the largest and most representative competition of its kind, with more than 25,000 entries received nationally as part of the three-tier competition.
Susquehanna graphic design graduates have gone on to pursue careers at AdWeek, Bombas, Forbes, Lego, the National 9/11 Memorial and NBC Universal, as well as at elite agencies in New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.
