Beyond Campus, Into the Profession.
Conference and boot camp experiences connect students with professional networks, industry mentorship, intensive learning experiences, and opportunities beyond the classroom. I also mentor students through the development, refinement, and submission of their work to the American Advertising Federation's American Advertising Awards (ADDYs), providing opportunities for their creative work to be evaluated beyond the classroom. Through individualized critique, portfolio development, and competition preparation, I help students strengthen their concepts, articulate design decisions, and present their work to professional standards. Student recognition at the local, district, and national levels demonstrates the quality of their work while building confidence, professional visibility, and connections to the advertising and design industries.
AAF Student AdPath Conference
Orlando, FL
Through the AAF Student AdPath Conference, I mentor students as they transition from the classroom into professional settings. I help them prepare for portfolio reviews, industry conversations, and professional networking, while providing guidance on how to present their work, engage with professionals, and respond to feedback. My participation in portfolio reviews further extends this mentorship by helping students build confidence, strengthen their portfolios, and develop the professional skills needed to enter the design industry.
One Club Creative Boot Camp
Miami, FL · 2017
I mentored students participating in The One Club for Creativity’s intensive Creative Boot Camp in Miami, guiding them as they worked collaboratively on a professional brief for Verizon. I supported students as they navigated an accelerated agency-style workflow, developed and presented ideas, responded to professional feedback, and built confidence working beyond the classroom. One participating student was subsequently selected for a paid summer internship with The Community in Miami, with housing provided, demonstrating how mentorship and access to professional experiences can lead directly to meaningful career opportunities.
Student Recognition
Students in Flagler College's Graphic Design program have earned recognition through the American Advertising Awards (ADDYs) at the local, district, and national levels. Judged by advertising and design professionals, these competitions provide independent evaluation of student work and recognize excellence in concept development, creativity, and execution.
Recent achievements include a National Student Silver ADDY, Jacksonville Student Best of Show, and multiple Gold and Silver ADDY awards. These accomplishments reflect students' creative abilities, dedication to refining their work, and readiness to meet professional standards.
Through individualized mentorship, critique, and competition preparation, I support students in strengthening their submissions and presenting their work to professional audiences. Beyond the awards themselves, this recognition provides valuable portfolio credentials, industry exposure, and opportunities for continued professional growth.
Mentorship in Practice
Creative Development & Competition Preparation
I work individually with students to evaluate and refine projects for professional competition, helping them strengthen conceptual development, visual execution, presentation, and written project descriptions. This process encourages students to critically assess their work beyond course requirements and develop greater independence as designers.
Professional Exposure & Recognition
I support student participation in local and district American Advertising Awards competitions and ceremonies, connecting students with creative professionals and opportunities for industry recognition. These experiences introduce students to professional standards of evaluation while celebrating their accomplishments beyond the classroom.
Industry Engagement & Leadership
Through my involvement with AAF Jacksonville and the 4th District, I help connect students to professional networks, educational opportunities, and industry events. As AAF Jacksonville Education Co-Chair, I have also participated in recognizing student achievement, including presenting the Brunet–García scholarship in 2025 and student ADDY awards in 2026.
Evidence & Documentation
Student achievements are documented through official competition results, award announcements, certificates, and examples of recognized student work, providing independent evidence of creative excellence at the local, district, and national levels.
My role as a faculty mentor includes guiding students through concept development, providing individualized critique, encouraging iterative refinement, identifying work suitable for competition, and supporting the preparation and submission of entries. I also facilitate opportunities for students to participate in award ceremonies, connect with industry professionals, and gain recognition beyond the classroom.
While the awards recognize the students' individual creative achievements, they also provide evidence of the effectiveness of faculty mentorship, professional preparation, and a teaching approach grounded in industry standards. Together, these outcomes demonstrate how my mentorship helps students develop the skills, confidence, and professional readiness to succeed beyond the classroom.
Beyond the Awards
Professional recognition is one measure of student achievement, but the broader value of competition mentorship lies in the experience of preparing work for external evaluation. Students develop stronger portfolios, practice articulating their creative decisions, and gain exposure to professional expectations. These experiences help bridge the transition from academic work to professional practice while bringing external recognition to Flagler College's Graphic Design program.
National Student Advertising Competition
2026 Client: NFL
NSAC Advising + Undergraduate Research
Co-advised Flagler’s inaugural NSAC team through AAF chapter development, collaboration, and the support required for student participation. Mentorship connects student achievement with external audiences and provides specific recognition of the College. It also supports student leadership and professional pathways beyond graduation.