COLLEGE OF THE ARTS | KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
Carole Maugé-Lewis, tenured professor in the College of the Arts at Kennesaw State University, boasts an impressive record of teaching excellence. For the past 23 years she has been the driving force in developing the Graphic Communication concentration in the School of Art and Design at Kennesaw State University. An award-winning designer, she has been recognized for several print publication designs, namely the Aegis, Cindy, Telly and AiMe Awards; presented at several major conferences; and has twice received the Distinguished Teaching Award in the College of the Arts at KSU. Under her tutelage, the students’ accomplishments have been significant and they have won awards at local, national and international levels, including several from GDUSA and most recently from the 48 Hour Re-Pack competition.
Maugé-Lewis’ sustained quest is for excellence in teaching and student learning, backed by her teaching philosophy of building a strong foundation in graphic design fundamentals, problem-solving and design-thinking. She aims to motivate and empower students to meet the demands of the ever-changing technological and diverse world, and to ultimately find rewarding careers. Maugé-Lewis is well-respected by her students and peers and is known for her direct, no-nonsense stance in the classroom. She sets a high bar.
HOW AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO MAKE EDUCATION A MEANINGFUL PART OF YOUR CAREER?
My career as an educator took root during my undergraduate years. With excellent professors and rigorous work, students participated in and grew from the constructive demise of their work, during brutal class critiques. Within this environment we thrived, produced our best works, and realized that it was not how good one was, but how good one can become. I held both Undergraduate and Graduate Teaching Assistantships, and after receiving my MFA, that of Assistant Professor. For five years I shared my knowledge and fell in love with teaching as I developed young minds for the future. My design career as an educator had begun.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE THE TEACHING OF FUNDAMENTALS VERSUS THE NEED TO RESPOND TO OUR FAST-CHANGING WORLD OF MEDIA, TECHNOLOGY AND CULTURE?
The challenge for professors is in first building a strong foundation of graphic design fundamentals, problem-solving and design-thinking skills that rise above mediocrity. Along with technology skills, students also need to develop excellent research, oral and written skills, that help to empower them to function fearlessly in our ever-changing media-driven, technology world and its diverse culture. As future leaders, imagemakers and messengers for local, national and international issues, we should provide students with the tools necessary to move beyond individual client relationships, to define and address social issues that test their design thinking and creativity; and make a difference.
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