Cultural Competence Archives - Page 22 of 49

BFA in Design Senior Exhibition now on view at Carolla Arts Exhibition Center

April 30, 2025 by Reynolds College

Missouri State University’s Department of Art and Design announces this semester’s BFA in Design: Professional Design Practicum Exhibition is on view at the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center.

The exhibition is open April 28-May 9 and includes the First Friday Art Walk May 2 from 6-9 p.m.

The exhibition is free and open to the public.

Capstone course features client-based projects

This capstone exhibition features the individual projects, portfolios and client-based projects of graduating seniors in the BFA in Design program.

Projects range from branding and marketing materials to digital media and product design and graphic novels, reflecting the diverse interests and skills of the Spring 2025 cohort.

Most of the clients who worked with the students are small business owners, but some are institutional, coming from local museums, non-profits, churches and artistic or musical initiatives.

As part of the practicum, students present self-promotional materials, including business cards, portfolios and branded merchandise, alongside real-world design solutions developed in collaboration with clients.

Exhibit wall displaying design projects — More projects from the 2025 BFA in Design exhibition now on view.

Associate professors Jacek Fraczak and Cole Closser teach the practicum course. They emphasize student engagement and interaction with clients, including communication, project management and creative problem-solving.

“The first long-term assignment is a real-life professional experience, when a student needs to find for themselves an existing client expressing the needs in the domain of graphic design or illustration,” Fraczak explained. “The clients may be local, regional or even international. Students have worked for clients from Saudi Arabia, Canada, Mexico, Slovakia and Germany.”

Senior graphic design major Mckenna Johnson said working with real-life clients was both exciting and motivating.

“It pushed me creatively as I worked to create a full brand identity from scratch,” she noted. “With strict deadlines, I had to communicate clearly, manage my time effectively and stay focused to deliver a final product that both my client and I were proud of.”

HERC sociology students present research at regional conference

April 30, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Students representing Missouri State University’s Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology (SAG) recently presented their research at the Midwest Sociological Society (MSS) conference in Chicago, Illinois.

Gabriel Patino, Sophia Sampson, Anthony Lam, Jayden Echols, Sophia Dela Coleta and Bruno Guerra Miranda are members of the Health Equity Research Collective (HERC). HERC is directed by Associate Professor Dr. Kyler Sherman-Wilkins.

Founded in 2021 by Sherman-Wilkins, HERC consists of undergraduate students who conduct research in the social, behavioral and health sciences. They specifically research health inequities, Sherman-Wilkins explained.

The goal of HERC is to provide talented undergraduate students with opportunities to sharpen their research skills. Through HERC, they also gain professional and academic experience, he added.

Regional conference ideal learning environment

Sherman-Wilkins described the MSS conference as an ideal place for undergraduate students to present their research.

“[The MSS conference] combines the rigor of a formal academic conference with a welcoming, encouraging and empowering environment for students,” he explained.

In particular, Sherman-Wilkins enjoys seeing his students interact with leading scholars and professionals.

“In a typical paper session, undergraduate students may be presenting their own work alongside prominent sociologists who have contributed much to the discipline,” he said.

HERC students continue to impress Sherman-Wilkins with their work ethic, critical thinking skills and intellectual curiosity.

“What brings me the most joy as a professor is the ability to work with some of the brightest minds of the next generation,” he said. “This year, the students engaged in amazing projects, all aimed at examining the mechanisms underlying inequities in health.”

Vonda Yarberry, professor and head of Department of Art and Design, to retire Aug. 1

April 27, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

After 36 years, Vonda Yarberry says it’s a good time to retire.

Yarberry has served as head of Missouri State University’s Department of Art and Design since 2016. She started teaching digital art and animation for the department in 1989.

During her nine-year tenure as department head, Yarberry oversaw several momentous changes. She assisted with helping the department move from the main campus to its current downtown location, Brick City. Under her guidance, the department increased its campus and community presence with new exhibition galleries and collaborative programs. And, Yarberry navigated the department through its darkest days during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yarberry admitted that she had never imagined herself in this role. But as it turns out, it has been the most rewarding time of her life.

“Being a department head has been the most fun of any of my roles over the last 36 years.”

A creative and inspirational “legacy leader”

Dean Shawn Wahl of the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH), described Yarberry as a “legacy leader.”

“Under her leadership, the Department of Art and Design has expanded in numerous ways, including new graduate programs, gallery expansion, robust community arts partnerships and fundraising,” Wahl noted.

Man and woman at an awards ceremony — Yarberry accepting the Judy Award for “University Citizenship” from Dean Wahl. Photo credit: Jesse Scheve/Missouri State University.

Yet even before she became department head, Yarberry displayed innovative leadership, according to Angela Barker, Director of Information Technology and Operations for RCASH.

Barker, who started working for Missouri State in 1999, recalled how Yarberry developed a long-range technology equipment plan. The plan created a workflow that maintained and redistributed state-of-the-art computer technology to standard computer labs.

“It laid the groundwork for the technology standards we continue today,” Barker said.

In addition to being innovative, Yarberry’s leadership is inspirational, according to Dr. Steve Willis, professor of art.

“In my 49 years in the profession, I have never known a more conscientious educator with such an incredibly high work ethic than Professor Yarberry,” Willis said. “She has the ability to motivate people to achieve at their highest level.”

Professor Sarah Williams also described Yarberry’s leadership as inspirational.

“I’ve found it truly is rare to work with someone whose first instinct — when faced with a problem or difficult situation — isn’t to bristle or go into panic mode but rather to view it as an opportunity to learn something, investigate in a new context and problem solve in a calm yet professional manner,” Williams said. “She’s been an amazing role model.”

Missouri State University hosts 28th annual President’s Concert

April 18, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The Missouri State University President’s Concert celebrates its 28th year with performances of Jocelyn Hagen’s “The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci” and Adolphus Hailstork’s “I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes.”

The concert begins at 3:30 p.m. April 27 at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.

Admission is free and open to the public.

The university’s Grand Chorus and Symphony Orchestra will perform under the direction of Dr. Erin E. Plisco, associate director of choral studies in the Department of Music.

The Grand Chorus, which has over 200 student participants, is prepared by Plisco and Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Clif and Gail Smart Professor of Music and director of choral studies.

The orchestra, prepared by orchestra director Dr. Yi-Ping Chen, has roughly 60 students.

BFA in Art Senior Exhibition now on view at Brick City Gallery

April 17, 2025 by Reynolds College

Missouri State University’s Department of Art and Design announces the BFA in Art Senior Exhibition is on view at the Brick City Gallery.

The exhibition is open April 22-May 2 and ends with the First Friday Art Walk May 2 from 6-9 p.m. Visitors can enjoy a range of artworks, including drawing, sculpture, metal work and new media.

The event is free and open to the public.

Artwork on display in exhibition — Some of Paige Lenahan’s drawings on view at the exhibition.

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