Student Life
Creative + Operations
Designing an Unparalleled Student Experience
Building a creative ecosystem that supports students, strengthens connection, and amplifies campus life.
I lead creative strategy, design, multimedia, and operations for Student Life at the University of Delaware—translating priorities into communications and experiences, amplifying student voices, and building systems that connect creative work across campus.
At a glance
10+ Years
and marketing
8 Years
24,000+ Students
and experiences
One Purpose
CREATIVE CAPABILITIES
2025 President’s Holiday Message
- Creative Direction
- Authentic Student Storytelling
- Executive Partnership
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
FEATURED OUTCOME
JOY: A Holiday Message Created Together
Student voice. Institutional story.
A shared sense of belonging.
Created in collaboration with UD students from The Egg, President Laura Carlson, the President’s Office, Student Life Communications & Marketing, and the Office of Communications and Marketing, JOY brings the University’s 2025 Holiday Message to life through the experiences and voices of students.
I led and directed the creative development, beginning with a simple question—“What does UD mean to me?” From there, students from The Egg helped shape a warm, joyful portrait of connection, community, and life at UD.
The result shows how student voice, creative collaboration, and institutional storytelling can express a community through the people living it.
FEATURED STORY
A Division’s Brand Story.
Different lenses. More connection. More belonging.
through change.
After a divisional reorganization, new teams, services, partnerships, priorities, and ways of working created an opportunity to build a more cohesive communications and brand experience—and the creative infrastructure to finally support it.
Many experiences.
Student Life connects people, programs, services, spaces, events, communications, and moments across campus. Organizational change added complexity, but my charge became creating continuity across the student experience while preserving what makes each experience distinct.
to a creative ecosystem.
As Communications Manager, Creative & Operations, I lead creative strategy, design, multimedia, and operations—building the systems, processes, resources, and shared standards that allow a large portfolio of communications and experiences to work together.
it possible.
University and Student Life Leadership · Student Life Communications & Marketing · Office of Communications & Marketing · University Printing · Campus Partners · External Vendors · The Egg
FEATURED PROJECTS
A few bright stars.
The Egg
Creative Talent + Experiential Learning
A student-powered creative agency built around mentorship, multidisciplinary collaboration, and meaningful professional experience.
Student Voice
Art + Expression
Creating platforms for students to share their perspectives, creativity, and lived experiences across campus.
Campus Culture
Environments + Experience
Shaping spaces and environmental experiences that strengthen identity, participation, and belonging.
BEHIND THE WORK
Building capacity, not just campaigns.
Strong creative work is built on more than design.
Reusable Templates
Brand kits, campaigns, and signage systems reduce reinvention.
Shared Resources
Creative Workflows
Clear processes and partnerships move ideas to delivery.
Talent + Training
I grew these systems with my creative team
consistency, and confidence at a divisional scale.
IN ACTION
Some creative systems deserve a closer look.
Explore the programs and initiatives that power Student Life’s creative ecosystem—each with a story to tell.
The Egg
Building creative talent.
A student-powered creative agency delivering real-world work and hands-on learning.
Creative Governance
Scaling creativity with guardrails
A Canva Creator Community connecting access, training, templates, governance, and community.
Student Art + Exhibitions
Making space for expression.
Programs connecting student artists, mentorship, exhibitions, and the campus community.
Environmental Experiences
Turning purpose into place.
Branding, wayfinding, environmental graphics, installations, and spatial storytelling.
Mock-up of Student Life Desktop Tool designed by Abby Phillips.
Mission / Vision / Values
When an organization is changing, its purpose needs to remain visible.
A staff-facing tool that brings Student Life’s mission, vision, and values into everyday work and onboarding
IMPACT
Reinforced alignment and created a shared language connecting everyday work to divisional purpose.
Information Design · Internal Communications · Organizational Alignment
CULTURE + CONNECTION
Focus on the Future
Internal culture is part of the student experience, too.
A visual identity and event system extending Student Life’s annual conference and strategic planning theme across communications, signage, templates, and environmental touchpoints.
IMPACT
Created a cohesive professional development experience supporting connection and divisional culture.
Brand + Identity · Event Experience · Environmental Design
Focus of the future conference branding and tech sticker designed by Abby Phillips.
Mock-up of general use Student Life Welcome Signage designed by Abby Phillips.
WHAT CHANGED
From consistency
to capacity.
Over time, this work has helped Student Life move toward a more connected creative model—one where projects are supported by creative systems that make the next project easier to create, recognize, and sustain.
Recognizable expression
Established a cohesive Student Life presence within the University brand.
Reusable infrastructure
Built templates, campaigns, workflows, signage, and shared resources that reduce reinvention.
Expanded capacity
Developed professional and student talent through leadership, training, governance, and participation.
Connected experiences
Extended storytelling across digital, print, multimedia, events, exhibitions, and environments.
THE WORK CONTINUES
Build once. Learn.
Strengthen. Expand.
Creative ecosystems are never finished. They grow alongside the people they serve.
Expand shared creative infrastructure through reusable campaign systems, Creative Hubs, photography, and multimedia.
Scale training, accessibility + governance across departments and student teams.
Strengthen workflows + participation so more people can contribute effectively to the creative process.
Make excellent communication easier to create, easier to recognize, easier to navigate—and more meaningful to experience.
One division. Many touchpoints.
Designed to help people connect.
