{"id":25654,"date":"2026-07-14T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/2026\/07\/14\/investing-in-future-designers\/"},"modified":"2026-08-24T12:58:06","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T16:58:06","slug":"investing-in-future-designers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/2026\/07\/14\/investing-in-future-designers\/","title":{"rendered":"Investing in Future Designers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

For many college students, earning a degree isn\u2019t just a matter of hard work; it\u2019s a matter of access. The Design Pathways Program \u2014 established in 2024 by a generous gift from alumnus Jerry Cook and his wife, Marilyn \u2014 was created to provide that access for students in the College of Design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An extension of Pack Promise, which supports the financial needs of NC State students from low-income North Carolina households, Design Pathways is open to eligible design students starting sophomore year. The program funds enriching opportunities that help students excel inside and outside the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supporting the Creative Journey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mac Dameron, a junior in media arts, design and technology, is passionate about using animation to tell stories. Design Pathways gave her the tools to get the job done in her tech-heavy animation courses, where the right hardware is a prerequisite for professional-grade storytelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI got my first iPad when I came to college, but it was secondhand and not in the best condition,\u201d Dameron said. \u201cDesign Pathways allowed me to get one of the best available, as well as a drawing tablet, which has helped me in my classes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She put those tools to good use in a recent class project that required groups of students to produce short animated commercials advertising fictional products. Her group devised a product called Creative Juice, a performance supplement for people in creative fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mac
Mac Dameron used her funding to purchase an iPad, an essential tool for bringing her animations to life.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith the new tablet, I was able to use a program that works really well for animation and has a great workflow,\u201d she said. \u201cI pushed out the animation a lot faster than I could with the tools I had before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Design Pathways also helps students embrace life-changing experiences, like studying abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Autumn Tate, a junior in graphic and experience design, used her funds to take part in a summer program in Japan. The two-week, seven-city itinerary sent her on an \u201cexploration of Japan\u2019s visual culture,\u201d with stops at natural wonders, like Nachi Waterfall, and cultural sites, like the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI like to blend my artistic side with graphical techniques, and the trip influenced me to try new things beyond just the techniques I\u2019ve learned in the classroom,\u201d Tate said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Junior
Junior Autumn Tate (center) poses with a group of her peers in front of Osaka Castle while studying abroad in Japan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Penelli Yang, a senior who\u2019s also in graphic & experience design, used funds from Design Pathways to study at the NC State European Center in Prague. As part of the center\u2019s Spring Classic Program, she spent early 2026 immersed in the deep well of European design history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDesign Pathways allowed me to commit to the full semester abroad without the huge burden of financial stress,\u201d Yang said. \u201cThey paid for my plane ticket and they helped pay for my food \u2014 those little things you don\u2019t think about until you\u2019re there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Senior
Senior Penelli Yang poses in front of a landscape in \u010cesk\u00fd Krumlov, Czech Republic during her study abroad experience.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nurturing a Culture of Belonging<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Beyond funding, Design Pathways offers a close-knit community to help students navigate the pressures of college life and prepare for their careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe people running the program are amazing,\u201d Dameron said. \u201cThey help you understand that the challenges you\u2019re going through are normal, and they\u2019re here to help you deal with them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monthly meetings give students a safe forum to discuss important topics \u2014 like mental wellness and professional development \u2014 and share how they\u2019re using their funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really cool because it\u2019s not just students from one specific major,\u201d Tate said. \u201cI like hearing the stories of students throughout our college. They inspire me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The program\u2019s mentors provide career guidance and encourage students to explore professional opportunities such as conferences and internships. Tate is excited to connect with working creatives at the upcoming CreativePro Week in Nashville \u2014 an experience she\u2019s paying for with Design Pathways funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHaving the support to do things outside of the regular classroom experience \u2014 things that help us in our careers \u2014 is crucial,\u201d Tate said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first cohort of Design Pathways students had a chance at the end of the 2025 academic year to meet the people at the program\u2019s heart: Jerry and Marilyn Cook. The full-circle moment only enhanced the students\u2019 appreciation for the support they\u2019ve received.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust getting that face-to-face connection \u2014 it helps you to know there are people out there who believe in you,\u201d Yang said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jerry and Marilyn Cook founded the Design Pathways program in 2024 to aid students annually with the hidden costs of college.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n
\n “When we were pursuing higher education, we were clueless. Both of us were first generation students and had no idea how or who to turn to for guidance. We are now delighted to fund this program with the desire that it will provide students valuable opportunities and coaching not available to us.”
Jerry [B.Arch. \u201866] and Marilyn Cook\n <\/blockquote>\n

This post was originally published<\/a> in College of Design Blog.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false,"raw":"\n\n\n\n\n

For many college students, earning a degree isn\u2019t just a matter of hard work; it\u2019s a matter of access. The Design Pathways Program \u2014 established in 2024 by a generous gift from alumnus Jerry Cook and his wife, Marilyn \u2014 was created to provide that access for students in the College of Design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An extension of Pack Promise, which supports the financial needs of NC State students from low-income North Carolina households, Design Pathways is open to eligible design students starting sophomore year. The program funds enriching opportunities that help students excel inside and outside the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supporting the Creative Journey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mac Dameron, a junior in media arts, design and technology, is passionate about using animation to tell stories. Design Pathways gave her the tools to get the job done in her tech-heavy animation courses, where the right hardware is a prerequisite for professional-grade storytelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI got my first iPad when I came to college, but it was secondhand and not in the best condition,\u201d Dameron said. \u201cDesign Pathways allowed me to get one of the best available, as well as a drawing tablet, which has helped me in my classes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She put those tools to good use in a recent class project that required groups of students to produce short animated commercials advertising fictional products. Her group devised a product called Creative Juice, a performance supplement for people in creative fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mac
Mac Dameron used her funding to purchase an iPad, an essential tool for bringing her animations to life.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith the new tablet, I was able to use a program that works really well for animation and has a great workflow,\u201d she said. \u201cI pushed out the animation a lot faster than I could with the tools I had before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Design Pathways also helps students embrace life-changing experiences, like studying abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Autumn Tate, a junior in graphic and experience design, used her funds to take part in a summer program in Japan. The two-week, seven-city itinerary sent her on an \u201cexploration of Japan\u2019s visual culture,\u201d with stops at natural wonders, like Nachi Waterfall, and cultural sites, like the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI like to blend my artistic side with graphical techniques, and the trip influenced me to try new things beyond just the techniques I\u2019ve learned in the classroom,\u201d Tate said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Junior
Junior Autumn Tate (center) poses with a group of her peers in front of Osaka Castle while studying abroad in Japan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Penelli Yang, a senior who\u2019s also in graphic & experience design, used funds from Design Pathways to study at the NC State European Center in Prague. As part of the center\u2019s Spring Classic Program, she spent early 2026 immersed in the deep well of European design history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDesign Pathways allowed me to commit to the full semester abroad without the huge burden of financial stress,\u201d Yang said. \u201cThey paid for my plane ticket and they helped pay for my food \u2014 those little things you don\u2019t think about until you\u2019re there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Senior
Senior Penelli Yang poses in front of a landscape in \u010cesk\u00fd Krumlov, Czech Republic during her study abroad experience.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nurturing a Culture of Belonging<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Beyond funding, Design Pathways offers a close-knit community to help students navigate the pressures of college life and prepare for their careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe people running the program are amazing,\u201d Dameron said. \u201cThey help you understand that the challenges you\u2019re going through are normal, and they\u2019re here to help you deal with them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monthly meetings give students a safe forum to discuss important topics \u2014 like mental wellness and professional development \u2014 and share how they\u2019re using their funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really cool because it\u2019s not just students from one specific major,\u201d Tate said. \u201cI like hearing the stories of students throughout our college. They inspire me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The program\u2019s mentors provide career guidance and encourage students to explore professional opportunities such as conferences and internships. Tate is excited to connect with working creatives at the upcoming CreativePro Week in Nashville \u2014 an experience she\u2019s paying for with Design Pathways funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHaving the support to do things outside of the regular classroom experience \u2014 things that help us in our careers \u2014 is crucial,\u201d Tate said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first cohort of Design Pathways students had a chance at the end of the 2025 academic year to meet the people at the program\u2019s heart: Jerry and Marilyn Cook. The full-circle moment only enhanced the students\u2019 appreciation for the support they\u2019ve received.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust getting that face-to-face connection \u2014 it helps you to know there are people out there who believe in you,\u201d Yang said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jerry and Marilyn Cook founded the Design Pathways program in 2024 to aid students annually with the hidden costs of college.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Through essential funding and a community of mentors and peers, the Design Pathways Program supports design students in need of financial aid, empowering them to achieve their academic goals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":25655,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"source":"ncstate_wire","ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","ncst_content_audit_display":false,"ncst_backToTopFlag":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[5],"class_list":["post-25654","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-_from-newswire-collection-271"],"displayCategory":null,"acf":{"ncst_posts_meta_modified_date":null},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25654","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25654"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25654\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25658,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25654\/revisions\/25658"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25655"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25654"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25654"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25654"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}