College is supposed to be the best time of your life. The time when you find out your true passion and make lasting friendships, join clubs, and really get the true college experience. For me, it hasn’t been so easy. A few years back in the fall of 2022, it was supposed to be just like any other semester I had, at least that’s what I thought. Until I got a notice that my scholarship wouldn’t disperse the full amount until half-way through that semester. This was a shock to me, because it hadn’t been mentioned prior to the start of the semester leaving with little to no time to find other solutions. This resulted in me having to a take this the semester off, as my financial aid could not cover my tuition and housing. I felt stuck and off track, because sitting out a semester would push my gradation date back. So I took the time off and reenrolled last fall, in the fall of 2024, with a new major and mindset as I ready to do whatever it took to finish and get my degree. Well, I was then faced with another challenge. The challenge of having my aid stripped away for the past Spring semester which is resulting in me having a past due balance, which at my university, translates to a hold on your account meaning your future aid cannot be disbursed until that past due balance is paid in full. I am currently striving to take care of this past due balance, so that I can continue my education without worry; fully focusing on the assignments and projects at hand. I have faced many obstacles throughout my college career, but I have not lost the determination to complete my schooling and obtain my degree. Once I am able to return, I will finish my major in Art and Design and use my design skills to make eccentric designs throughout my community that emphasize sustainability, affordability, comfortability and most importantly, purpose. Designing with all of these principles in mind will allow me to create spaces that uplift and bring my community closer together, and ultimately inspire everyone who steps foot in the space. I believe there is nothing more important than using my skills to empower others.

I see a blank page, I see every empty room, I see every element as a puzzle waiting to be solved. Whether it's through drawing or designing room layouts, this is where I get to solve this puzzle, developing ideas into works of art that can be seen and felt. I have had this passion for design and creativity for as long as I can remember. Even as a child, I was always interested in creating things, whether that was designing, building, or experimenting with color and texture. That love for creativity is what led me to pursue art and design as my field of study, and it still drives my excitement about every new project I tackle. Now entering my second year as an art and design orientated student, I have found that the hands-on projects I have been able to work on like creating forms with clay and chip-board have given me even more inspiration. These projects illuminated just how much I enjoy focusing on the physical act of shaping an idea into existence. While developing a love for the hands-on projects, I also began to develop a love for digital design tools, particularly Photoshop. I remember the first time I ever used Photoshop, which is featured in my portfolio titled "Rendered Perspectives"; revealed an entirely new world of creativity. I was compelled by the level of control given to me, by being able to explore the layout, renderings, texture, and color possibilities in a way that I had not previously been able to do by hand. This quickly became one of my favorite parts of the design process: digitally refining my ideas and watching them evolve on the screen. I look forward to new projects that allow me to synthesize traditional hands-on craftsmanship and the use of digital tools to create meaningful polished work. I relish the challenge of synthesizing materials and applications to fully realize a concept. I intend to take advantage of digital design tools of all kinds; specifically Photoshop, in order to develop my skills and make increasingly compelling and professional renderings and layouts. I want to be more technically capable in combination with developing a unique style that feels true to me. For me, Photoshop is more than just a tool, it is an extension of my creativity and a tool I will continue to use to communicate ideas as accessibly and beautifully as possible.

Art has never been just a practice or a hobby for me, it has been a way for me to interpret the world and express what often cannot be spoken. As an Art & Design major at Louisiana State University, I decided to study art because I could incorporate creativity, technical ability, and important storytelling into a singular practice. Within my work, I create designs and spaces that inspire feeling and connection whether it's through floor plans, renderings, shape drawings, or free-standing forms. What I find most inspirational about art as the designer is taking intangible feelings like uncertainty, chaos, or peace and turning them into tangible, visual experiences. I explored this phenomenon in great detail while at LSU, for instance, when I produced a number of floor plans which represented negative emotions through the form of space. This project illustrated to me the power design and art have as it pertains to the way in which people feel in a space, and how a purposeful choice of shape, layout, and material can tell a story. I find inspiration from the making process itself. I find enjoyment when I am rendering a one-point perspective that translates a plan into a visual experience, or when I am manipulating clay or chipboard in a free form object, or when I compose a digital Photoshop rendering to visualize the atmosphere of a space. The making process teaches me new insights into the relationship between materials and ideas, and I enjoy the interplay between structure and creativity. I am learning about following elements of design, while learning to experiment by trusting my instinct to embrace risk and innovation. As an artist and designer, I aim to create work that resonates with people and makes a lasting impact. I am really passionate about the ability of art to convey feeling, tell stories, and exhibit experiences in public spaces. I become excited about every project because it allows me to expand my creativity and helps me explore new avenues for bringing ideas to life. There are endless possibilities in art and design that inspire me and I approach each piece with a sense of curiosity, commitment, and desire to improve as an artist and human being. I am inspired by art because it has no limits. It brings disciplines together, brings people together, and allows for unlimited ways to express meaningful stories. I see my journey at LSU as the beginning of what will evolve into a lifelong practice of creation, learning, and sharing my vision with the world.

The lessons we encounter through hardship can lead to future triumphs. As someone apart of the class of 2020, I know firsthand how hard it was for me, and most of my fellow classmates, to transition into the real world when a pandemic was raging everywhere. It completely derailed the way we thought this transition would look like. Specifically, what we envisioned the college experience to look like. It was incredibly difficult to start my college journey remotely, and to be separated from my peers and mentors. This created a lot of uncertainty, I had almost zero motivation, no sense of direction, and was uncertain about what I wanted to pursue. In the beginning, I was a business major. At that point in time, my mom had heavily encouraged me to study a career that was "practical" by providing stability and security. After completing my first year, I realized that business was not where my passions were as I was uninterested and uninspired in class. Because of this, schooling began to feel more like a burden than a goal. After a lot of self-reflection and just having the ability to take a risk, I decided to switch my major to mass communications, which helped ignite my passions and align my other interests in media and storytelling. After that, I was more committed than ever to the goal of graduating with the class of 2024.In addition to the schooling, at that time, I was also serving with AmeriCorps, which is a national service program directly linked to addressing critical areas of need in our communities, such as education, public health, and disaster relief and preparedness. AmeriCorps let me give back in an authentic way while gaining professional experience. I completed well over 623 hours of community service and was recognized by AmeriCorps with a national community service award. I was also lucky to have received a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award scholarship. The intent with the education award was for me to use it to help pay for tuition for my Fall 2022 semester. This is when I was informed that the scholarship funds would be dispersed in two disbursements: 50% of the total amount at the beginning of the semester, and the other 50% of the total amount at some undisclosed date in the middle of the semester. The timeline associated with the scholarship funds did not work with my university's tuition payment deadlines. My tuition would have to be paid upfront before the two payments could be disbursed, and I did not have enough funds to cover the gap between the first and second disbursement. This was an unwelcoming surprise, forcing me to make one of the hardest decisions of my life; to take time off from school. If anything was discouraging, it was watching my classmates advance towards graduation, while I was putting my education on hold, not knowing when, or if I could return to my studies. But I try to think of this time positively, to view this time as an opportunity for myself. I was able to work, save, and reflect on my goals. But the most important lessons I learned were having resilience in the face of doubt and adapting my expectations I hold of myself when plans are interrupted. In the end, my experiences from being a part of the class of 2020, changing my major, and working through financial hardships have taught me important lessons. I learned that the pathway to success is rarely ever a straight line, and that our greatest setbacks are often just breakthroughs in disguise.

I come from the deep South of Louisiana. My upbringing surrounded by a culture of endurance and strength, has helped to define me as a young woman with purpose, creativity, and the desire to put myself into action in the meaningful and powerful world of design. I am currently an art and design major with a minor in interior design at Louisiana State University, and I know that I want to contribute to the future by creating spaces where well-being is realized, mental health is prioritized, and environmental sustainability is integral. There have been bumps in the road that have led me to this point, but we all are always learning through our experiences. Entering college as a high school graduating class of 2020, I was navigating COVID-19 and the impact it had on my educational path. Like many of my peers I was unsure, alone, and lacking direction in those initial college days. I declared a major in Business Administration on the advice of my parents who wanted me to stay "out of debt" and follow a more "practical" route (this was also at a time when I wasn't sure of my own path). The major didn't really excite me, nor did I feel it paired with my interests or strengths. I spent some time in Mass Communications, and then finally saw my light at the end of the tunnel with design, interior design! I was captivated by the synergistic relationship we have with the spaces we inhabit, and how important these spaces are to our mental and emotional well-being. It was becoming clear to me how impactful, inclusive, and sustainable design provided a better quality of life for all; not just mere aesthetics, but elements that truly matter. This shifted my course of study for a new future instantaneously, and I have never looked back. As a future designer, I am passionate about being intentional in designing for purpose. By that, I mean that interior design is more than just furniture and decoration. It is intentionally creating environments that can promote health, safety, support, inspiration and peace. My personal desire is to focus my career on health-related design, with a strong emphasis on mental health, while incorporating the important principles of sustainability to protect our planet. I am excited to design spaces that have the potential to incite healing and unity while helping mitigate stress reduction through color, increase productivity through spatial planning and design, and inspire wellness through biophilic design and eco-conscious materials. My deep commitment to community service are a reflection of what I want to achieve and what I envision for myself through design systems. My service with Americorps helped me complete more than 623 hours in service, receive a national community service award, and scholarship; if I had a time machine - I would also want to be able to relive my experiences! Americorps taught me to serve others, and I witnessed through my service how environments impacted people and their ability to learn, develop and heal. I have hopes of utilizing my skill set in design to benefit underserved populations, especially to improve situations where there are the fewest resources, yet the most need for healing, dignity and safe spaces. I believe that design has an opportunity to serve people. My goal in my career is to create spaces that empower, revitalize and heal communities, and respect our environment. Through the support of this scholarship, I can continue my education; moving toward becoming the designer who does not merely make beautiful things, but the designer who creates impact.

I have always admired the arts as a means of expression, and as a way to connect with others. When I think of the arts, I think of telling a story (not just narrative, but events, emotions etc.), and the arts not only inspire people, but they also impact the lives they touch. This is why I went into the field of Art and Design with a minor in Interior Design. I wanted my creativity to translate into designs and visuals that allow people to better their lives and acknowledge them. For me, art does not mean always producing beautiful work; it means making a true difference overall. Education has allowed me to pursue that goal. College has given me the opportunity to grow my creativity and expand my skills through ideas; I am now able to create with a sense of abundance. All the classes I have participated in up to this point have pushed me to think differently, problem solve, and refine my rational choices. I know all the information I am learning will enhance my ability as a designer when I work on meaningful designs that build their meaning based on the people and communities it can serve. That feeling of comfort and comfort to others inspires me to continue to work hard, even when it feels difficult; knowing that one day design will help give someone comfort, joy, or inspiration. I have always put my best foot forward in everything I do, whether it is juggling my coursework in college, any job role I took on, or serving in my community through AmeriCorps as a Data Coordinator. My experiences working for AmeriCorps especially motivated me because I saw the importance of giving back and being kind to people, leading me to pursue the same positivity and kindness in my future design career. Ultimately, I want to create art in spaces that impact people who are experiencing them in a positive way. Ideally, through interior design, or where the design is based off of a story. I want to show kindness, creativity, and compassion throughout my work. I enjoy that I have a passion not only for the arts, but also for education which drives and informs all I do. Every class is an investment in my ability to create change one design at a time. Thank you for believing in students like me who believe in art and education as a way to change lives.

My name is Imani Franklin, and I am a rising junior at Louisiana State University majoring in Art and Design and minoring in Interior Design. I’ve always had a passion for creating and inspiring others through design, and my career goal is to build a life where my work has a positive influence on the people and communities it serves. I pride myself on incorporating creativity, discipline, and kindness into everything I do, and I make an active effort to grow not only as a student but as a person to give back to others. I believe my strongest quality is my work ethic. Regardless of the task, I always put my full effort into it, and I strive to take pride in doing the task well. This determination helped to get me through high school, where I was able to balance academics with sports and service. During my junior year, I played for my high school’s junior varsity soccer team. In that role, I learned how important discipline, teamwork, and perseverance were, and I’ve carried those skills and abilities into college. In addition to athletics, I also spent time serving my community as a Data Coordinator with AmeriCorps. This was a very rewarding and substantial experience for me because I was providing an outreach service to the public, while also developing professional and organizational skills. I received a Segal Education Award and a certificate of completion to affirm my commitment to the service of others, which was significant to me and reflective of my commitment to making positive choices and helping others. As a college student, I continue to challenge myself academically and personally. I will always aim to sustain a high GPA while finding ways to stay involved in and around campus. I intend to join an art club to continue learning and meet other students interested in artistic creativity. I am motivated to not only be successful, but to positively impact things around me. This award means a lot to me because it will allow me to continue to focus on my education without fretting over financial responsibilities. Paying for college and managing student loans can be overwhelming, and by providing me with this award, it will ease the stress it causes and let me continue pursuing my goals. I’m proud of the kindness, ambition, and drive I display in each aspect to my life, and I appreciate the opportunity to be considered for this award. Thank you for supporting students like me that want to succeed and give back.

I am an undergraduate attending Louisiana State University in the Deep South. Being from an area where many historical events took place, I've come to learn many exciting things about the culture, art, and people here. Louisiana is rich in tradition and resilience, and its culture has always inspired me to think deeply about how design, space, and service intersect. Since I was around five years old, I’ve always wanted to help people. I wasn’t sure how at the time, but I knew my purpose involved making a positive impact on the lives of others. That passion for helping others led me to volunteer and serve with AmeriCorps, where I was allowed to make a meaningful impact in my local community. Through AmeriCorps, I was partnered with Front Yard Bikes (FYB). This local nonprofit community bike shop repairs bicycles and provides mentorship and skill-building opportunities for underrepresented youth in the South Baton Rouge area. FYB was and still is more than just a bike shop; it is a safe space where kids can learn valuable mechanical and life skills, develop a sense of responsibility, and connect with mentors who care about their growth. While at Front Yard Bikes, I worked closely with low-income students and adults living on the south side of Baton Rouge. I helped organize events, input data information, and participated in community rides encouraging health and wellness and sparking curiosity as we visited small, locally owned businesses. My favorite moments came from mentoring kids who had never owned a bike before, watching them light up with joy when they completed their first repair and got to ride a bike they worked on themselves. These experiences made me realize the power of accessible inclusive spaces, and how the built environment can shape people’s lives in powerful ways. At FYB, I saw the true meaning of design in action. While I wasn’t majoring in interior design then, I was helping build confidence, create structure, and foster a supportive environment, concepts essential to human-centered design. This hands-on experience with my community influenced my decision to pursue interior design and deepened my commitment to creating spaces that improve lives. As an interior design major, I now strive to bring that same community-focused approach into every project I take on. I believe in designing for sustainability, comfort, and health, especially for those often overlooked in traditional design practices. I envision creating spaces that are not only environmentally friendly but also healing and inclusive. I want to design classrooms that inspire, homes that nurture, and public spaces that welcome everyone. My time with AmeriCorps and Front Yard Bikes taught me that real change starts at the community level. It showed me that a single space like FYB bike shop can transform lives when it is intentionally designed with people’s needs in mind. That lesson continues to guide me as I move forward in my career. I am committed to using my design skills to create spaces that empower, heal, and connect people. Whether through sustainable materials, universal design, or interior elements that promote mental and physical wellness, I will strive to make the world a better place, one space at a time.