After years of freelancing, working entry-level jobs, and raising her daughter, Chloe Derby decided it was time to build a long-term career in graphic arts. At Saint Paul College, she found more than technical training. She found a supportive community of faculty, staff, tutors, and classmates who contributed to her success in challenging classes, and advising and career services that have facilitated her progress toward her professional goals.

The advice she shares with future students reflects her experience:

• Talk to your classmates because it helps build community in your classes. Your classmates can relate to you better, which makes them a great resource for both technical and personal support.
• Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Saint Paul College is very good at addressing any needs a student may have, including tutoring, basic-needs resources, and faculty support.

For Chloe, those lessons have made all the difference in her college journey.

How Did Chloe End Up At SPC?

Chloe’s creative journey began years before she enrolled at Saint Paul College. As a student at Perpich Center for Arts Education, she developed a passion for the visual arts and explored graphic design. After graduation, she spent years freelancing, working entry-level jobs, and raising her daughter, Eloise.

While she enjoyed creative work, Chloe wanted a long-term career that would allow her to expand her skills and pursue new opportunities in the graphics field. Looking for professional training and a credential valued by employers, she enrolled in the Computer Graphics and Visualization program and plans to graduate in May 2027.

The Power of Support

College had always felt intimidating to Chloe. Because her education focused heavily on the arts, she entered Saint Paul College unsure of how she would perform in general education courses.

Those concerns began to fade from the moment classes started.

Instead of encountering the negative experiences she had faced in the past, Chloe found instructors who encouraged questions, offered additional help, and treated students with respect.

“The faculty and staff at Saint Paul College have been amazingly supportive and honestly refreshing, even for academic courses. I’ve met the nicest supportive teachers, who actually treat me with respect, like an adult.” – Chloe Derby.

When coursework became challenging, Chloe turned to the support systems available across campus. Faculty members took the time to help her understand difficult concepts, while the Tutoring Center became an important resource, particularly during her microeconomics course.

“My confidence soared! All thanks to those teachers.” – Chloe Derby.

Advisors have helped Chloe plan her coursework and stay on track for graduation. Career Services has assisted her in finding internship opportunities, while IT support has helped her resolve technical issues and stay focused on her studies.

Computer Graphics and Visualization

With a growing sense of confidence and a strong support network behind her, Chloe has been able to focus on developing the technical skills needed for her future career.

She hopes to work as a professional graphic artist, a field that can include web design, animation, and game design.

Through the Computer Graphics and Visualization program, Chloe has completed portfolio-ready projects, including a professional website featuring work she created in Photoshop, Blender, and Tumult Hype. In Introduction to Game Design, she designed five playable online games that challenged both her creativity and technical skills.

Each project brings Chloe closer to her goal, while the community and support she found at Saint Paul College continue to help her succeed.