FHSU University Communications
Lauren Huynh’s path to graduation, though often challenging, has shaped her into a graphic design professional ready to explore exciting career options.
Lauren is the first member of her immediate family to graduate from college, received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Fort Hays State University this past weekend during the FHSU winter commencement event.
Originally from Wichita and a graduate of Campus High School, also completing their International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, Lauren was determined to succeed in college and find a way to do so without incurring significant debt.
“I was originally planning to go to school out of state and even enrolled to study aeronautics and physics, engineering,” Lauren said.
Several factors, including a post-pandemic change in goals, a renewed desire to keep college expenses manageable, and new opportunities like grants and scholarships, gave Lauren great options a little closer to home.
“I made a final decision about where to go less than a month before classes began,” Lauren said. “I knew Chaiwat Thumsujarit, professor of graphic design, and about the design program and knew that the individual attention and focus on not just skills but also on thinking conceptually was something special about the program at FHSU.”
Once enrolled and on campus, Lauren discovered that FHSU offered more than just a path to a degree but also an opportunity to be part of a community.
“I struggled a little when I first began with things like finding my way around and choosing classes,” Lauren said. "But everyone here was so friendly and willing to help. Initially, I got help from my roommate and floormates as we quickly became friends, as well as the peer mentors and staff in the Access to Academic Opportunity Grant (AAOG) program. They helped me a lot in navigating how to just be a college student.”
Lauren went on to serve as a mentor to new students in the AAOG program herself, working with Assistant Director of Student Success Hugo Perez.
“Lauren has been a pleasure to work with during her time here at FHSU,” Hugo said. “I have enjoyed seeing her grow and mature as a student and person.”
“She took the tips and advice that her peer mentor gave her during her first year and passed them on to her mentees over the past two and a half years. Her mentees have had great things to say about her each year.”
Once Lauren entered the design program, she found another set of mentors and a community of peers who would work together to ensure she could achieve her goals.
She found Karrie Simpson Voth, FHSU Art and Design Program chair, to be an inspiration, particularly in how she reached out to students to make certain they were on track with their classes and schedules.
“Working with Lauren and witnessing her creative growth into a well-rounded designer and photographer has been a true pleasure,” said Karrie Simpson Voth. “Lauren forged her own path and overcame numerous challenges during her time at FHSU. Her talent is undeniable, and I’m thrilled to see where her journey takes her next.”
While Lauren could have graduated in just three years, she decided to stay at FHSU for one extra semester and finish a certificate in motion design while also weighing her post-graduation options. After spending several summers in Chicago, Lauren wants to move to a more metropolitan area. She has interviewed with a variety of companies and firms in cities like Chicago and Denver, but she currently has her heart set on Seattle.
“While you don’t have to go to a city to find a successful career in design, I think being in a city is where I will thrive,” Lauren said. “I have also had several interviews at places in Seattle, and right now, I’m mentally set on going there.”
When speaking about her experiences at FHSU and what advice she might have to others considering college, Lauren noted how welcoming the campus community was to her and how strongly she believes anyone considering a degree in art and design needs to look at the FHSU program.
She emphasizes the close-knit community of students, the personal attention from faculty, the challenging and innovative curriculum, and the many connections and opportunities for careers after graduation as some of the highlights.
“I highly, highly, highly recommend the [FHSU] design program,” Lauren said. “The best way I can describe FHSU is as a family, really a home-away-from-home. Everyone has made it so welcoming, and I am so grateful to have been able to be a part of this.”