Cayla Hall

Even while making good grades and enjoying the challenges of being an engineering major, Cayla Hall couldn't shake feelings of being unfulfilled and unhappy her freshman year at the University of North Georgia (UNG). Now those frustrations are far in the past for the Dawsonville, Georgia, native.

A major part of that transformation came from switching majors. She picked studio art because "it is a blend between the logical, technical and the artistic." Hall earned a Bachelor of Arts in studio art in December 2019.

"As soon as I started the introductory art classes during my sophomore year, things started to click," Hall said. "I have only grown as an artist and student since then."

Many students have seen Hall's work. She compiled and designed the Oval Office Times, which is posted in the Gainesville Campus restrooms to update students on campus events. Hall set up the theme, graphics, design and formatting for the weekly newsletter.

In fall 2018, Hall assisted in creating an avenue for students to give the Oval Office Times team feedback, including the newsletter now accepting joke submissions.

Hall was appreciative of the opportunity to learn professionalism as a student worker.

"It's laidback, but you're learning all these things about how to interact in an office and how to interact with supervisors in a professional environment," Hall said.

She also managed the Student Involvement office's social media pages and offered graphic design training as requested during the spring 2019 semester. Hall aided Aubrey Frazier, director of Fraternity and Sorority Life on the Dahlonega Campus, in creating social media graphics, flyers and other materials as needed.

"This is a big change and a big challenge," Hall said. "But I am excited to have this opportunity to apply the training my degree has given me before I graduate."

A graphic design internship in Student Involvement during summer 2018 also proved beneficial.

"It was a confidence-booster for me, because I had been through several different graphic design classes but I hadn't found my footing yet," Hall said. "This office gave me the place to do that."

Erin McIntosh, assistant professor of visual arts, made a major impact on Hall, teaching her in a drawing class and a painting class.

"The training she provided in those classes has continued to shape my work in my graphic design classes and work with Student Involvement," Hall said. "She continues to be a strong artistic role model for me as I enter my last few semesters at UNG and prepare my senior capstone exhibition."

Knowing her work was so widely consumed excites Hall.

"It's cool to be able to say that I'm contributing to my school and the campus atmosphere, making sure everyone's connected," Hall said.