Creative Printing Services internship elevates student’s professional creativity

By Chris Caldwell

Southwest graduate and former graphic arts intern Madeline Johnson at Southwest’s 2022 Commencement.
Southwest graduate and former graphic arts intern
Madeline Johnson at Southwest’s 2022
Commencement.

When the opportunity to boost her level of skills in design work became available, Southwest student Madeline Johnson jumped at the chance.  She was even more excited to know she could advance her level of training at Southwest. 

“I was thrilled to know I would be interning in the Creative Printing Services on the Macon Cove Campus,” Johnson said.  “Even though it was only for one semester, I learned so much!” 

Johnson graduated in Spring 2022 with her A.A.S. in graphic arts technology with a concentration in interactive multimedia production and graphic arts technology. She says the knowledge and training she received form her internship supervisor, Creative Printing Services Lead Designer, Detric Stanciel, allowed her to put into practice what she learned in class and instilled in her a greater sense of confidence in her artistic and creative abilities. 

“Madeline took everything she learned to heart and that showed me how determined she was to be a designer,” Stanciel said. “With interning, it’s more about broadening and expanding a person’s skills set. And Madeline was up for the challenge. She always had a positive attitude and was willing to learn everything from graphics to cutting and layouts for printing.” 

Johnson also credits Reproduction Clerk Duane Miller and Multimedia Coordinator Brian Stuckey for sharing their knowledge and industry skills to further advance her skills. 

“I worked on a lot of projects with the Creative Printing Services team including creating holiday graphics for Instagram, producing Southwest employee business cards and I also helped with the Go Red Campaign photo shoots,” she said. “Working in a professional environment, I gained a lot of the tools necessary for when I decide to pursue my career or transfer to a four-year college.” 

“My time at Southwest was great,” Johnson said. “I learned a lot from my classes, my classmates and instructors. The faculty and staff were always helpful and eager to see their students do well in their classes and were sincerely interested in seeing their students succeed,” Johnson said.