I loved every moment during my time in design school. The creative energy I sensed from my teachers and fellow students, the homework assignments, time spent during my internship - everything! I loved it! It was a very free, outside-of-the-box time in my life. If I had the choice to do it all over again I would. However, this is not possible so instead, to feed the inspiration, I decided to take it upon myself and I made sure to remain connected with this community that I came from. I love mentoring and encouraging up-and-coming artists. It is rewarding and pushes me to continue to learn about current trends and what is being talked about in this field. Below are the students that I have had a pleasure meeting and working with through the years since my graduation. I have also included some very kind words that they were all so dear to provide.

Madison Vinciguerra, Pitt Community College Graphic Design Internship Participant 2018

I met Carla though my experience getting my Advertising and Graphic Design Degree at Pitt Community College. I applied and was given an opportunity to intern underneath Carla at the Public Information Office at Pitt County Government. One of my favorite projects was re-creating a booklet for Pitt County Emergency Management. Coming from working as a full time bartender at a high paced restaurant and going to school only part time; it was extremely refreshing to combine my knowledge I’ve gathered from school with the social skills and work ethic from my restaurant job in a completely new setting. This internship definitely helped me remember my end goal of becoming a designer one day, and that all this hard work I am doing while attaining a degree will be worth it! I still work at a restaurant while I am finishing my degree, but knowing Carla graduated from the same program and is doing what she's doing gives me the motivation to keep going. She always told me how she went above and beyond, and to not feel bad about it. I still try to practice that all the time, in school, in every day life, and even at my restaurant job!

Tiffany Bridgers, Pitt Community College Graphic Design Internship Participant 2017

I spent the Summer of 2017 working with Carla through a partnership with Pitt County Government and Pitt Community College’s Advertising & Graphic Design curriculum, which allows students to observe and assist professionals in their field of study while earning classroom credit and building their portfolios.

Carla’s mind is virtually a fully-stocked design arsenal. It became immediately clear to me that it is impossible to “stump” her. It doesn't matter the scope of the project: recreational & whimsical or informational & factual. She is armed with an internal wealth of creative knowledge, ideas, and inspiration she can draw from to create a perfectly-designed and effective communication piece, digital or print. When a client has a need, she gets to work. She asks thorough questions and researches deeply, attending her clients’ office meetings, sitting in on conference calls, interviewing professionals in their field -- anything that makes her as knowledgeable and involved about their project as they are. She discovers their mission, and makes it her own.

She has faced obstacles in her personal and professional life that would have caused many to give up or become bitter. Not Carla. She is a silver-lining-optimist. The cruel people teach her how not to treat others. The nitty-gritty jobs that most people would rather pass over are the ones she used to build her experience and character; she rightfully earned the success she has achieved because she paid every due. When she mentors a rising designer, they are benefiting from her full gamut of experiences: the what-to-do's, the what-not-to-do's, and the how-to's of perseverance. She is developing not only better designers, but better employees.

My time spent with her proved to be an invaluable component to my classroom instruction, and now to my career as a full-time graphic designer. The tips & tricks she taught me about the software, the industry resources to consult for design trends, the workflow she utilizes both creatively and organizationally, and the methods she taught me to mindmap a project; all these things have propelled me academically and professionally. She is eager to share her years of experience with others. Her drive and ambition is infectious. She gets excited to watch others learn and improve their craft, never willing to share credit in the projects she oversaw.

 I consider myself truly blessed to have been placed under her direction, and I know I have in her an ally, resource, and friend for the duration of my design career!

 Tiffany Bridgers

Graphic Designer, Acculink

Kianna Forbes, Northeast Regional School of Biotechnology & Agriscience 2017

When I did my internship with Carla at the Pitt County Government Office back in March 2017, I instantly connected with her due to her work ethic, drive, and her earnest an unbiased advice. One of the key things I learned from her is how to take an interest and cultivate it into possible career fields. Another lesson that I learned from Carla is being willing to step out of my comfort zone and take part in activities that I would not have done if it weren't for people like Carla who pushed me to embrace my gifts and see my potential. As for me, I am currently a senior at Meredith College, and I will be an early graduate from the university in May 2019, as I have already completed two years of college while still in high school. My future goals are to travel to different countries, and to work in the nonprofit and government fields.

Marissa Reesecup Cochran, Pitt Community College Graphic Design Internship Participant 2016

I really loved how Carla pushed me to do more than the minimum. She was always so nice and sweet! I could really ask for help and felt like she really was the only one to understand me. I remember working on a website and a book of cards. Carla taught me a lot about how a professional artist works in the “real world” and how to work smarter and think ahead. She really helped me. Truthfully, Carla was the only reason why I picked PIP Printing for my summer internship.

Deven Grupy, Pitt Community College Graphic Design Internship Participant 2015

I met Carla Hanson during an internship in 2015. I worked with her on many projects during that time. One that comes to mind immediately was the personal stationary for a very particular client. If Carla has taught me at least one thing, that is: you have to be patient with clients. Of course I have to mention prepress as well. Knowing how to get everything ready for production was an extremely helpful tool. Thanks in part to that internship I am pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Cincinnati with another internship soon. I plan to continue my education and seek out professional opportunities.