These alumni use their skills to serve others, share important information, and affect change in their local and state governments
The stories and artistic expressions presented here are a testament to the diverse and independent careers of our alumni. They do not constitute an endorsement, reflection, or representation of the institutional opinions or principles held by the 黑料专区.
Leading by Example
As a State Representative for Michigan鈥檚 13th House District, Mai Xiong, 鈥�07 Communication Design & Strategy, still uses the skills she learned at 黑料专区 nearly 20 years later in her role as an elected official. 鈥満诹献�区 taught me how to think creatively, approach problems from different perspectives and develop real-world solutions,鈥� Xiong said. In her current role, Xiong serves residents of Roseville, St. Clair Shores and Warren, working on legislation that improves their quality of life. Her communications and digital marketing background help her stay connected with constituents and make policy more accessible. 鈥淔inding creative ways to communicate is a powerful tool because when people understand policy, they can help shape solutions that truly improve our lives,鈥� she said.www.ccsdetroit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Mai-Xiong_2.jpeg Mai Xiong 鈥�07
Every Vote Counts
Voting is one the best ways to make your voice heard, and these creatives are communicating that message through their art. Ndubisi Okoye, 鈥�15 Communication Design & Strategy, painted a colorful 鈥淰ote鈥� mural on the ACLU Michigan building in Detroit, as part of their 鈥淵our Vote Matters鈥� campaign. Sean Peacock, 鈥�22 Illustration, was tapped by Merch Aid 鈥� a social enterprise that pairs creatives with nonprofit organizations to design fundraising merchandise 鈥� to make a Michigan-inspired design for their 鈥淕et Out the Vote鈥� swing states campaign. Peacock highlighted the workers powering Michigan鈥檚 automotive industry as well as the United Auto Workers union. 鈥淟aborers in all industries, unionized or not, had a lot riding on the 2024 election, so I wanted them to be the stars of this piece,鈥� Peacock said. His design was on shirts and posters, available for sale on Merch Aid鈥檚 website. All profits were donated to the nonprofit.www.ccsdetroit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Sean-Peacock-scaled.png Work by Sean Peacock 鈥�22
When We All Vote
From the big screen to the Capitol Julia Pickett, 鈥�14 Photography, has proven that using pop culture as a vehicle for political messages can help people feel more connected to their legislators. In 2023, Pickett, who is the Digital and Creative Director for the Executive Office of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, created the 鈥淕overnor Barbie鈥� social media campaign. A Barbie doll, lovingly dubbed 鈥淟il Gretch,鈥� was used to share Gov. Whitmer鈥檚 policies while nodding to the 2023 Barbie film. Every detail, Pickett says (the fuchsia pantsuit, matching lipstick and Michigan necklace, to name a few), was made to capture Gov. Whitmer鈥檚 style and work. 鈥溾�楪overnor Barbie鈥� gave us a way to highlight real policies and accomplishments in a way that people wanted to share and talk about it,鈥� Pickett said. Indeed, Lil Gretch gained both local and national recognition, and the campaign won Pickett and her colleagues a Shorty Award. When planning content for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer鈥檚 office, Julia Pickett says authenticity drives everything she does. 鈥淕overnor Whitmer has such a relatable, direct way of connecting with people, and my job is to make sure that shines through online,鈥� she said.www.ccsdetroit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Julia-Pickett_5-scaled.jpeg www.ccsdetroit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Julia-Pickett_7-scaled.jpeg Work by Julia Pickett 鈥�14
Designing for Community
Ivonne Serrano, 鈥�22 Communication Design & Strategy, Visual Communications Designer for the Executive Office of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, made the above graphic for a social media series explaining how tariffs impact individuals at every stage of life, such as when becoming parents. 鈥淭his graphic was a way to say, 鈥榃e hear you and we understand,鈥欌�� Serrano said. 鈥淲e also wanted to reassure families that while we can鈥檛 control tariffs, Michigan is still providing support through programs to help with the burden.鈥�www.ccsdetroit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Ivonne-Serrano-scaled.jpg Work by Ivonne Serrano 鈥�22
