College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
School of Art and Design Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Message from Leadership
Dear Donor, As the new director of the School of Art and Design, I have gained a newfound perspective on faculty research, the student experience, and the impact of philanthropy on the school. It has been exciting to see the range of research interests and creative activities pursued by faculty and students alike. We have been able to reward our students’ hard work with awards and scholarships throughout the year, bring significant artists and designers to campus for lectures, and showcase important work in our galleries. I have worked with faculty on the development of the Center for Multisensory Architectural Research, an emerging field of inquiry that brings the design and art disciplines into dialogue with other fields in the sciences and humanities in novel ways. All of these activities are touched by philanthropy. Without the support of our philanthropic partners, our school’s ability to serve our students and the fields of art and design would be diminished.
Matthew Hebert, MFA Director and Associate Professor, School of Art and Design
Philanthropy
Propelling the SDSU Community Forward Richard Anthony Marks Endowed Gallery Program Fund Philanthropic support through the Richard Anthony Marks Endowed Gallery Program Fund enhanced educational opportunities for students in the School of Art and Design during FY25-26. Funding supported gallery improvements, exhibitions, and visiting artists and designers, providing students with valuable opportunities to engage with contemporary art and professional creative practice. These investments expanded learning beyond the classroom through exhibitions, artist talks, and interactions with practicing professionals. Students gained exposure to diverse artistic perspectives, professional exhibition practices, and creative research while showcasing their work in a gallery setting. Support for the gallery program also strengthened SDSU’s role as a cultural resource for the campus and community, creating meaningful experiences that advance artistic excellence, innovation, and student success.
Visitors gather for the opening reception of Staying Power, showcasing the creative work of SDSU School of Art and Design students and faculty.
Student Spotlight
Thriving in the Aztec Experience Yewon Shin, Class of 2026 Class Level: Undergraduate Student College: College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts Major: Art and Design Yewon Shin is an outstanding interior architecture student whose SDSU experience has been shaped by design, research, and creative exploration. Throughout her academic journey, she has embraced opportunities to expand her skills and engage with the broader design community. Yewon presented her work at the SDSU Interior Architecture Student Exhibition and the SDSU Student Symposium. She also served as a board member of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute and worked as a student research assistant, gaining valuable hands-on experience. Reflecting on her growth, Yewon shared, “Collaborating with others in a real-world setting highlighted that things don’t always unfold as planned. Facing those challenges helped me strengthen my mental resilience and enhance my problemsolving abilities.” These experiences strengthened her adaptability, resilience, and critical-thinking skills. After graduation, Yewon hopes to become a professor and inspire future students through the same mentorship and support she received at SDSU. She credits Yin Yu with guidance throughout her academic journey and encourages students to stay curious and embrace new opportunities.
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After graduation, Yewon hopes to become a professor and inspire future students through the same mentorship and support she received at SDSU.
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Student Spotlight
Sarah Garcia, Class of 2026 Class Level: Graduate Student College: College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts Major: Ceramics Sarah Garcia is an outstanding MFA student in ceramics whose work explores collaboration, memory, and inherited identity through dialogues with her daughter. Using clay as her primary medium, she created thesis work examining family relationships, personal histories, and the ways we carry and transform lived experiences. Through a series of vessels, Sarah investigated themes of care, protection, connection, and change. Her work considers how objects can function as spaces for holding memories and imagining new possibilities for the future. During her time at SDSU, Sarah was supported by a collaborative community of faculty and students who encouraged experimentation, creative risk-taking, and artistic growth. These experiences strengthened her artistic practice and commitment to education. Looking ahead, Sarah hopes to continue growing as an artist and educator, teaching craft processes, fostering meaningful connections through making, and supporting other artists in their creative work. Her daughter describes her as caring, fair, protective, empathetic, and curious, qualities reflected throughout her work.
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During her time at SDSU, Sarah was supported by a collaborative community of faculty and students who encouraged experimentation, creative risk-taking, and artistic growth. These experiences strengthened her artistic practice and commitment to education.
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Points of Pride
Celebrating Shared Success Current Rankings San Diego State University is ranked No. 24 among schools highly focused on fine arts majors in California. Statistics of Interest The School of Art and Design serves undergraduate and graduate students across disciplines, including art, design, art history, interior architecture, graphic design, multimedia, furniture design and woodworking, and studio arts. Students present creative and scholarly work through exhibitions, the SDSU Student Symposium, conferences, and design competitions. Faculty are active artists, designers, and scholars whose work is exhibited, published, and recognized nationally and internationally. The School emphasizes hands-on learning through studio practice, research, internships, community partnerships, and professional exhibitions. Recent Highlights The School of Art and Design continues to expand opportunities for creative scholarship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional engagement. During FY25-26, students showcased their work through exhibitions, research presentations, and the SDSU Student Symposium, highlighting the breadth of creative and scholarly activity across the School. Faculty and students continued to engage in nationally and internationally recognized research, exhibitions, and design projects, strengthening the School’s reputation as a leader in art and design education. The School also expanded opportunities for experiential learning through internships, community partnerships, collaborative research, and professional practice experiences that connect classroom learning with real-world application. The School remains committed to preparing students for careers in the arts, design, education, and creative industries through an innovative curriculum, hands-on studio experiences, and mentorship from accomplished faculty. These efforts continue to foster creativity, critical thinking, and professional development while supporting student success both during and after their time at SDSU.
Top 25
SDSU ranks No. 24 among California schools highly focused on fine arts majors.
Faculty and Staff Achievements
Adam Manley Title: Associate Professor, Furniture Design and Woodworking College: College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts Achievement: Co-founder of CRAFT DESERT, a nationally recognized contemporary craft journal. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including events associated with World Wood Day in Nepal and Cambodia, and he continues to contribute to the field through leadership and professional service. He shared the following: Furniture and woodworking have always been powerful ways to explore ideas about place, history, material, and human connection. What excites me most about teaching at SDSU is working alongside students as they develop their own creative voices and discover how craft can be both functional and meaningful. Through making, experimentation, and critical inquiry, students learn not only technical skills but also how to engage thoughtfully with the world around them. Watching that growth and seeing students transform ideas into impactful work is one of the most rewarding aspects of my career.
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What excites me most about teaching at SDSU is working alongside students as they develop their own creative voices and discover how craft can be both functional and meaningful.
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Thank you for your generous support.
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