JTC 24: A Dream Come True

Calyn Ashe moved from her hometown of Trinidad, Colorado, to the Desoto County city of Hernando during her junior year of high school, causing a "culture shock" as she adapted to Southern life right before college.

She attended Northwest Mississippi Community College for two years before transferring to the University of Mississippi, and that time was essential for helping her determine her collegiate plans.

"I was pretty intimidated by the large SEC culture, and I also wanted to make sure that art was what I wanted to pursue as my degree," said Ashe, who is graduating with a degree in art with a graphic design emphasis. "After graduating with my Associate of Arts from NWCC, my professor connected me with the graphic design program at Ole Miss."

Ashe was a bit overwhelmed by the size and energy of the campus, but the Department of Art and Art History welcomed her. As she found her footing, Ashe immersed herself further into campus life and her new program.

"As I settled in, I began connecting with students and faculty within the art department," she said. "I also joined InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, which welcomed me into their organization and helped me feel like I wasn't alone.

"So although the initial transition was difficult, the people and community that welcomed me here at the university helped make me feel a part of it all."

Along with participating in extracurricular activities and establishing herself in the art program, Ashe worked part-time jobs as a Build-A-Bear Workshop manager and as a graphic design lab monitor to help pay her tuition. Although this affected her level of involvement at times, she's proud of the skills that working gave her and says that her work experience was a notable aspect of her undergraduate experience.

"Working part-time throughout my time in college has helped me develop leadership and time management skills, as I have had to travel back to Southaven for all of my part-time jobs outside of the university," she said. "Those positions also provided me with experience in interpersonal communications, which made me more confident, outgoing and professional."

Not only did working help her develop valuable professional skills, but her position in the lab sharpened her graphic design talents.

"My current position as head Graphic Design lab monitor for the university has helped me become more confident in my abilities surrounding print mechanics and design programs," she said. "The job experiences that I have had while attending college have helped me develop the necessary skills that I will be able to take into the workplace, both socially and technologically."

The most important part of Ashe's time at Ole Miss involved her senior thesis. For this project, she wrote, illustrated and produced an original children's book called "Penny's Dream." Based on her experience as a child in a military family and her own dreams throughout the many changes in her life, this project was more than an assignment.

"This entire process was the most work I have put into a single project, and it was also very vulnerable for me to create," she said. "I have always loved reading, so creating a book from start to finish was a gratifying conclusion to my academic journey as an artist.

"'Penny's Dream' feels like the culmination of all of my education – from NWCC to Ole Miss – and I am so proud of how it all came together."

Ashe's adviser, Bryce Heesacker, assistant professor of digital media, helped her discover more about her identity as an artist. He was also an inspiration for her thesis project, as he suggested producing an audiobook to accompany the book to expand its reach.

"Bryce helped me grow conceptually as an artist, allowing me to develop the language and ideas around who I am and why I want to create art," she said. "Bryce has always pushed me to further my ideas and research into what I make, which has helped me solidify the ideals and current interests that I have when making my work.

"I am so thankful for his guidance and critiques during my two years here - he set the tone for how my experience was going to be in this department, and I am ever grateful for it."

Heesacker worked closely with Ashe during her two years at the university and speaks highly of her contributions to the program and her talent.

"Calyn has always been a curious student who is interested in the world and using artmaking as a way to investigate society," he said. "I am very excited to see what Calyn contributes to her community as an artist and designer.

"I will miss having her in my classes and am jealous of any community that receives her creativity, curiosity and care for humanity."

Ashe has big plans for her book after graduation and is planning to pursue art professionally but does not want to put her talents into a box.

"I am planning on officially publishing this book over the summer, so in a sense, 'Penny's Dream' marks the finale of my collegiate experience and the beginning of my art entering the professional space," she said. "My end goal is to work as a book illustrator or cover designer, but I am honestly open to anything that builds my experience right now."

See more photos from Calyn Ashe's Journey to Commencement