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Allen Garcie brings added dimension to LSUS

GREGG TRUSTY
Alphabetically, “Adobe” is likely the first name in graphic design – probably in other ways as well. If you saw in February that there are only 91 Adobe Certified Instructors (ACI) and 88 Adobe Authorized Training Centers (AATC) in the U.S., you’d rightfully figure at least one of each would be located somewhere in the state of Louisiana. But, you might not automatically assume one of each would be in residence at LSUS. That is, unless you knew Allen Garcie.

Garcie is one of three ACIs in Louisiana (the only one in North Louisiana) and LSUS is the only AATC in the Ark-La-Tex (the closest ones are Dallas and one in South Louisiana). He’s also an Adobe Certified Expert in Photoshop CS2 and teaches extensively with both Adobe Illustrator and Dreamweaver (Macromedia was recently bought by Adobe).

The graphic design and marketing coordinator for the LSUS Division of Continuing Education and Public Service’s Conferences & Institutes unit loves to learn and he loves everything about graphic design. The Continuing Education catalogs he designs are eye-catching – his fall 2005 catalog was picked as one of the “Best Catalogs of 2005” at the national level by the Learning Resource Network – and at least partially responsible for the exponential growth in course participation over the past several years.

“ Allen’s catalogs make us stand out,” commented Dr. Donna Austin, dean of Continuing Education, “and make us a bigger player in the market. More and more of our students tell us they look forward to the next catalog.”

Garcie received a Bachelor of General Studies in English and fine arts/graphic design from LSUS in May 2002, earned a Master of Education from Northwestern State University in May 2005 and is working on a Master of Fine and Graphic Arts from NSU. He uses his education and knowledge not only on the job, but also in the classroom, professional organizations and in volunteer work.

At LSUS, he teaches both credit and noncredit courses. He has taught University 100 (Learning Strategies for College Success) and Fine Arts 210 (Introduction to Graphic Design) on the academic side of the university, as well as the software-specific classes for Continuing Education. Moreover, he teaches design courses for the Incumbent Worker Training Program at employers such as The (Shreveport) Times and AFS Logistics.

Garcie also spends time with his students outside the classroom if they need further help. “I tell them that I’m not only their instructor during class, but I’m also the same outside the classroom, even after the entire course has ended,” he commented. His most recent Continuing Education students ranged from freelance designers and photographers, to prominent photography studio owners and local heart surgeons. In fact, one of his Continuing Education students won the coveted “Best of Show” award at the local ADDY awards competition in 2005. “She told me that she was able to use the methods she learned in my class to help her work,” he said with a broad smile. “What a compliment!”

Garcie was recently re-elected as the Web site director and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Society for Training & Development’s North Louisiana Chapter and was elected the education chairman on the Board of Directors of the Shreveport-Bossier Advertising Federation, a local chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF). Along with sharing his expertise within his professional communities, Garcie participates in the annual ADDY awards program sponsored by the SBAF. In the most recent competition, his work was recognized with two Silver ADDY (second place) awards for the spring 2006 Continuing Education catalog in both the Publication Design (Magazine or Book)-Cover and Direct Marketing-Consumer Single (Flat) categories.

He also devotes a considerable number of volunteer hours working with high school and college students who are interested in graphic design as a career. At LSUS, he has resurrected the AAF Student Chapter, bringing together the disciplines of marketing, graphic design and mass communication. He is also involved in volunteer work at the Caddo Career and Technology Center (CCTC).

Garcie and LSUS alumna Janet Maines, owner of In House Graphics, are volunteer mentors at the CCTC for student teams in the annual Commercial Art/Advertising & Graphic Design course competition. The course’s instructor, Annette Tolbert, who is also an LSUS adjunct instructor, organizes the competition for her high school juniors and seniors. Each year, teams of students complete and “Ad Agency Project” for a local company or nonprofit Tolbert selects. The competition is professionally judged by representatives of local advertising agencies and the target organization. This year both Garcie’s and Maines’ teams were selected in the overall top three for the competition. Garcie and Maines say they seize every opportunity to emphasize the excellence of the LSUS graphic design program to the high school students.

“ How neat for these kids,” Austin beamed. “And, LSUS gets high visibility.”.