Athens Reporter

The Empower College and Career Center has launched a new Graphic Arts Pathway to provide students with career-relevant learning experiences. This program, in its first semester, teaches students graphic design skills applicable across various industries.

Wynelle Carroll, a former professional turned educator, leads the new pathway. Carroll's background includes work with USA Today and other newspaper publications, where she gained experience in graphic design, photography, and sports media.

"It's interesting how when you work for a newspaper, the jobs all sort of bleed together. I did design, I did photo editing, I did photography, I did editing, so it was a little bit of everything,” Carroll said. “Throughout those years, I was always teaching interns. So I was like, I like this teaching thing! So when the opportunity came up to teach, I took it."

Carroll's passion for teaching and graphic design is evident in the program's early success. Students learn basics such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

"Right now, we have all introductory classes, which is fabulous,” Carroll said. “[The students] are learning color theory, typography, design, etc."

Carroll expressed enthusiasm about the student work produced so far.

"Some of the work the students have turned out has just blown my mind,” she said.

Aligned with Empower's mission to "empower learners for success in an ever-changing world," Carroll aims to equip students with practical skills for any industry.

"I want to teach the kids how to work for a print shop, get jobs in the future, and start their own companies. Having these design skills can help on social media; they can help in the advertising industry. This [class] will teach these students how to make impactful marketing plans," explains Carroll.

Starting a new program comes with challenges but also progress in student knowledge and enthusiasm.

"Having kids that have come in and said, ‘I really didn't want to take this class but now this is my favorite class... that's been absolutely wonderful and rewarding for me,” Carroll said.

Looking ahead at future developments of the program:

"In the second program we'll learn more about the printing machines... The sky's the limit for this [program],” she said. “With the talent and enthusiasm of the kids it could go wherever we want it to go."

“I want to see them excited about graphic design; I want to see them choosing it as a profession or choosing it as an addition to what they plan to do..."

The Graphic Arts Program shows promise under Carroll’s leadership as both she and her students look forward optimistically toward its potential growth.