Departmental Periodic Program Review AY 2021-2022
BA/BS Studio Art Program and BFA Studio Art Program - Executive Summary
Reflecting on our accomplishments over the last five years, we are most proud of our work in nurturing and mentoring students who have become multi-faceted artists and designers prepared to be active global citizens in the creative economy. Our success in working together to promote well-rounded critical artists and designers is borne out by the accomplishments of many of our recent alumni, who have gone on to graduate programs in fine art, graphic design, industrial design, and arts education, and to employment in art fields such as fabrication, graphic design, museum work, and K-12 art education.
The level of faculty engagement with students is one of the program’s greatest assets. In exit surveys given to seniors in the capstone course, ART 401/Senior Seminar, the factor most commented upon by students when asked about perceived program strengths is the enthusiasm and dedication of the faculty, and the level at which they truly care about the success of their students. Additionally, a majority of students reported feeling well prepared to work independently as artists, pursue an entry-level art career, or apply to graduate school upon completion of the program.
The program’s strength in providing students with a learning environment that impacts their personal, academic, and professional development can be exemplified by BS Art/Graphic Design graduate Erik Edelman. In his final semester, Erik applied for a nationally competitive, paid internship at SYPartners, a management consultancy and design firm in NYC, NY. Competing with students from programs at RISD, Yale, and Harvard, Erik was hired as an intern, and was hired six months later full time as a production designer, working with clients such as the Obama Foundation, Opah Winfrey, and Starbucks. In his time at Brockport, Erik took full advantage of the opportunities our department provides. Under the guidance of Professor Christensen, Erik took a lead role in designing a marketing campaign for Brockport’s 5th Annual Purple Run, a 4K domestic violence awareness event. The resulting design work was submitted for consideration in an AIGA community design competition, and Erik was accepted to give a presentation on the project at the NCUR (National Conference for Undergraduate Research). Erik also served as the president of the Art Student Association, and learned additional skills as a teaching assistant in an introductory graphic design course under the tutelage of adjunct lecturer Jen Osborne. Erik stands as a representative example of the kind of mentoring that takes place on a continual basis in the department. Our faculty work collaboratively to create an environment that allows this type of synergy to happen.
During this period the department completed program learning outcome assessments and made improvements based on these and the previous program review action plan. A full explanation of the assessment results and resulting conclusions can be found in Part 2: Assessment Documentation (Section I., part F), and a full detailing of actions based on 2016-17 action plan is included in self-study page 9. Some of those improvements were:
- a) classroom technology and classroom space improvements,
- b) purchase of laser cutter and development of makerspace,
- c) improvements to assessment processes,
- d) improvements to BFA program management and processes,
- e) hired new faculty with expertise in digital media and Illustration,
- f) infused digital literacy throughout curriculum with creation of digital foundations course,
- g) expanded digital media course offerings, h) expanded co-curricular activities.
In order to continue to provide our students with an excellent education in art and design, the following is a list of selected departmental needs and potential plans for the next five-year period: 1) Brockport is in unique position to provide students in Western NY and beyond with an excellent education in graphic design at a cost substantially lower than other local institutions such as RIT and Nazareth College. However, in order to grow this area and to be able to maintain relevancy by offering courses in time-based media and design, we will need to continue the faculty search for an interactive designer that was cut short during the COVID hiring freeze, 2) Within the next five-year period, we predict that there will be additional faculty retirements. It is essential that the department make plans to replace these lines so that students continue to be provided a comprehensive art and design curriculum, 3) Create BA/BS and BFA Graphic Design major and Illustration track in order to attract and retain more students, 4) Expand co-curricular activities such as field trips, visiting artists, and other activities to improve retention and recruitment, 5) Continue the work of Web and Marketing Committee to improve department website to improve recruitment.
We look forward to gaining a wider perspective on our programs from reviewers Szilvia Kadas and Mitch Messina, and also to talking with them about how they have navigated similar challenges at their institutions. It has been invigorating for us to reflect on our accomplishments and challenges over the last five years, and to begin to envision changes and adaptations for the future of our department and the continued success of our students.