Morgan Lashbrook’s career plans do not fit neatly into a portfolio. She is on a mission to “change the world of design,” and she credits Macomb for giving her the foundational skills she will need to do so.
Lashbrook is technically an alumna, after graduating near the top of her class, receiving the Most Distinguished Graduate honor and providing the commencement address on May 11. But her student perspective is still fresh as she heads off to the College for Creative Studies (CCS) this fall, where she will begin work on her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Communication Design.
“From the first semester, I was blown away by the amount of artistic and design talent that comes out of the MACA (Media and Communication Arts) Program said Lashbrook, a graduate of Lamphere High School in Madison Heights who earned associate degrees in Interactive Web Media, and Design and Layout. “Macomb students were going up against students from four-year colleges for industry jobs and getting them. It seemed like a program that really provided you with the skills you needed to get a job.”
Lashbrook works at The Collegiate Bead Company and has progressed from intern to graphic designer to creative projects manager. She is also a member of Macomb’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year college students. After CCS, she intends to earn another bachelor’s degree in computer science, possibly from Yale University, with the goal of expanding the capabilities of interactive media to better accommodate the needs of those with limited fields of vision.
“Paul Rand, a legend in the field of design, taught at Yale for many years,” explained Lashbrook of her top transfer choice from CCS. “I feel that it has a strong background in design and that I could best accomplish my intent of using the powers of design and computer science to change the world of design by conducting research, creating and learning.”
At commencement, Lashbrook told her fellow graduates how much they had “inspired” her. “I was fortunate enough to cross paths with students who each had their own story and I learned from them,” said Lashbrook, who, likewise, holds MACA faculty in high regard.
“Macomb provided me with the direction and confidence to go after my goals and future plans,” said Lashbrook. “Thanks to the mentorship of the faculty and the great learning environment at Macomb, I feel I am prepared to take on the rest of my life.”