My Journey and Story

Designer. Student. Educator. Thinker. Techie. Maker.

Jackie with an original Macintosh computer

Designer, Student, & Educator

The first two years of my college career were filled with general education courses, a sprinkling of art classes, and courses related to the Medical Technology field (this was my declared major). I found myself absolutely loving all of the art classes that I was taking - they were my creative outlet, my passion, and just felt "right". It's hard to explain in words the feeling of knowing that you are where you're supposed to be and doing what you should be doing. At that moment, I knew that my major (Medical Technology) had to change, the passion and excitement were not there. See, I had been focusing more on a field that would be the most lucrative and not the field that would bring me the most joy. Yes, I was told time after time that there isn't any money in art, but I could not ignore the fire inside.

Fast forward a few years and I was pursuing a degree in fine arts specializing in advertising design (now it's called graphic design) at Wayne State University and I was loving it! Following graduation and after years of waiting tables at Pizza Hut, I got my first career gig working for Ameritech as a graphic compositor/designer. To this day, I am still very much in tune with my creative and artistic side. I am a designer.

Art in the streets of France
Art in the Streets of France

From Wayne State, I went on to pursue a master's degree at Walsh College (Master of Science in Management) and while pursuing that degree, I was also working on getting my associate's degree at Macomb Community College (Associate of Applied Science in Website Programming) in the same program area where I now teach. Jump ahead to 2016 when I decided to return to school once again to earn a master's degree in Educational Technology (Master of Arts in Educational Technology) at Michigan State University. I am a lifelong learner.

My career working as a graphic designer migrated into a career working as web designer, web developer, art director, digital artist, and a teacher. The culmination of many years working in the industry (20+) for adveristing/marketing agencies, start-up companies, as a freelancer, and as an adjunct instructor (cue the start of my teaching career) - prepared me for my career in education. I taught as an adjunct for 9+ years until I was hired as a full-time professor for Macomb Community College in 2009. I'm obviously over my fear of public speaking and I am able to teach and share my passion on a daily basis with people of all ages - how cool is that?! I am an educator.

Auguste Rodin - The Thinker - Paris, France
Auguste Rodin "The Thinker" - Paris, France

Thinker

In 2013, I took my dream trip to Europe (Scotland, London, and Paris) and could not pass up the chance to see Auguste Rodin's sculpture "The Thinker" in person while in Paris. I also had the opportunity to see the works of many of my favorite artists (Vincent van Gogh for one) and artists that I only read about in books. I also visited Claude Monet's home in Giverny, I was in awe. To think that I was standing in a place where so much talent, creativity, emotion, thinking, and yes making, happened!

Claude Monet's home in Giverny, France
Claude Monet's home in Giverny, France

Nothing like a real life hands-on history lesson and experience to ignite passion, creativity, and curiousity! In my younger years, I could have cared less about history but as an adult, I can't get and learn enough. When traveling now, I seek out the history behind the places I visit, the landmarks, the inventions, the works of art, and the events that have happened that gives each journey and experience its own unique character. I want to know what makes something "tick. Why did Vincent van Gogh choose to come to Paris to paint? What gave Thomas Edison the tenacity and grit to continue on with his inventions after many failures? Inquiring minds want to know. I am a thinker.

Techie & Maker

The Macomb Community College Makerspace
The Macomb Community College Makerspace

I remember my Dad bringing home a TRS-80 Model computer that he had bought at Radio Shack and instantly I was intrigued! Wow! Let's see what this thing can do! My intrigue led to countless hours of experimenting, playing, learning, and exploration. Fast forward to my early college years where I wrote one of my first papers for class on an original Macintosh computer with a 9 inch screen using MacWrite. From then on, I was hooked and my passion for technology was ignited! I am a technie.

Hit the fast forward button (again) to early on in the MAET program at MSU when I first learned about all things "Making" - the culture, the education, and the space. Once again, a whole new world of experiences, discoveries, and opportunities opened and blossomed before my eyes. From being awarded an Innovation Grant to create a Makerspace at Macomb Community College with my esteemed, talented, like-minded maker/thinker/techie friend (and colleauge) Martin Kohl, to pursuing a new hobby in woodworking, designing and developing websites, playing with and learning new technologies, and collaborating with other educators, peers, colleagues, family, friends, and students, my journey has come full circle. I am maker.

I am designer, student, educator, thinker, techie, and maker.