Students and Alumni Team Up on Real-World Design and Marketing Projects
The St. Lawrence University Alumni Executive Council (AEC) recently partnered with faculty to create a hands-on learning experience that connected Laurentians across generations—and continents.
Partnering with Professor Sarah Knobel in the Art and Art History Department, the AEC’s Faculty Engagement Committee brought together seven alumni with 17 students in Knobel’s “Graphic Design with Experiential Learning” course. Across 14 real-world projects, students created professional materials—including brochures, brand assets, and digital content—using industry-standard tools while delivering tailored solutions for alumni partners.
The projects spanned a wide range of organizations, from nonprofit and public service groups to entrepreneurial ventures and creative businesses. Alumni partners included organizations such as the Alliance for Health Policy, The Engine, Globally Taught, and Grasse River Outfitters, reflecting the breadth of the Laurentian network.
More than an academic exercise, the collaboration provided students with direct exposure to client-based work and professional expectations. For some, the impact was immediate: one student landed a job opportunity using her project to demonstrate her skills.
“Working with a real client encouraged students to take full responsibility for producing professional and creative work. One student told me how rewarding it was to know her classwork would be seen and used, which made her more dedicated to the process,” —Professor Sarah Knobel
Knobel adds: “Students learned the intricacies of collaboration, received constructive, real-world feedback, and realized that alumni truly wanted to mentor them. For me, it was deeply rewarding to meet the alumni, witness their successes, and see firsthand how my students could learn from them.”
Experiences like this reflect a hallmark of a St. Lawrence education: learning that extends beyond the classroom and a network that stays actively engaged long after graduation. Members of the AEC say they look forward to building on this model by creating even more opportunities for students to learn by doing, alongside Laurentians invested in their success.
“This initiative is a strong example of what makes the Laurentian network so impactful,” says Tahire Edirisinghe ’07, a member of the Alumni Executive Council. “When alumni and students collaborate in meaningful ways, it enhances learning while opening doors for future opportunities.”
