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I love my professors and the faculty at Brenau. Everybody has an open door policy. It’s not just me, it’s the entire class. We feel like our professors are invested in our success.Dinesh Lamba
Brenau has given me a more personal experience than if I decided to go to a bigger college. I know it’s cliche and is used a lot, but I feel like I wouldn’t be seen as much if I went somewhere else. I have a bigger chance of getting that experience.Amelia Lathem Check out Amelia's story
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Q&A with Greg Skrabovski🏠💐📐
Major: Interior Design
Hobbies: Creating flower arrangements, thrifting, decorating/renovating homes
Extracurriculars: Member of @asidbrenau
Why interior design?
I have wanted to do interior design since the fourth grade. I used to watch YouTube videos of interior designers like Rebecca Robeson, who has her own firm in California. She inspired me heavily. I was fascinated with her content, and that pushed me to explore this world. My mom has always been creative, and she wanted me to do something I’m passionate about. As I got further into this program, I realized this is something that I truly want to do.
What has been one of your favorite work-based experiences?
I feel like the field trips to ADAC (Atlanta Decorative Arts Center) have been the most influential because it’s basically a mall for interior design stores. As interior designers, we’ll be going there for source materials and types of furniture. Also, we recently went to a hospitality firm, which opened my eyes to the amount of money, time, and details that is put into the interior design for a hotel.
What has been your favorite part of being an interior design major?
My professors. Jill DeMarotta has made me realize how much details matter because when you get into the real world, you don’t want to submit work that’s not top-tier. And with Michael Kleeman, he has helped me push my design style and explore a more maximalist style. I went from favoring neutrals and Scandinavian design to a very colorful, fun, and playful design.
What advice would you give to first-year interior design students?
Prioritize time management. It takes a lot longer than you think, especially because you’re not just picking out colors, you’re having to be very detailed with the floor planning. You might think that an assignment will take an hour to complete, but it might instead take all night. Do your work little by little, and don’t leave it all to the last second.
Having recently earned her bachelor’s in biology at Brenau, Emelia Askew has set her sights on her next endeavor — medical school.
“I know the cliche thing to say is that I like to help people, but I do like to help people,” Emelia said. “However, I specifically want to help people like me who may not feel comfortable going into the doctor’s office. There’s not a lot of African American representation in the medical field, and I want to be that person who makes an impact.”
When starting at Brenau four years ago, Emelia explored different majors before settling on biology, which she calls her true passion. Emelia said one of her most memorable experiences at Brenau includes the time she shared her research at the university’s annual Innovation,
Inquiry & Creativity Symposium. Her research focused on a skin condition, which her younger sister has.
As she takes the next step in her career journey, Emelia said the two things she will miss the most are her friends and serving on Brenau’s basketball and track and field teams.
“I’ve been an athlete my whole life, and it’s not going to stop there,” she said. “I won’t be on a team, so I’m going to miss that a lot.”
#brenauuniversity #biostudent
Campus views lately🌈🌷
#brenauuniversity #collegelife
Alum Q&A with Aubrey Pettit✍️🎨
Degree: BFA in Studio Art ‘26
Hometown: Sugar Hill, GA
Favorite Emojis: 🍒🏎️🫡
Current internship: Brenau Marketing Office graphic design intern
Why studio art?
I have painted and drawn for years and years, and that was sort of the main thing I was focused on. But, I try to do everything. I oil paint and do graphic online stuff mostly. I like to say that I can do mostly anything other than watercolor. I like doing portraits a lot for paintings, and for graphic design, it’s all over the place.
What is it like interning at Brenau’s Marketing Office?
I like it a lot, and I like being in a one-on-one environment. I work in the office around 10 hours per week, and I feel like I’ve learned a lot from Brandon, the office’s graphic designer. I’m more familiar with Adobe now, and it’s a lot easier for me to articulate ideas in my head into Photoshop.
What advice would you give to art students who want to develop career-ready skills?
Practice a lot, all the time. Don’t limit yourself to one specific medium. I used to only do drawing, and now I like to say that I can mostly do the whole nine yards. Do everything you can.
Now that you’ve graduated, what’s next?
I have enjoyed working with Brenau marketing a lot, but I would like to do graphic design for a tech-based company.
What is one thing you want everyone to know about Brenau?
Everyone here is really friendly. I think it’s a good place, especially because I’m more of a nervous person. I feel like it has been easy to open up here and chit-chat, and not have to be constantly nervous. I’d say all the people here are good.
There she goes✨🎓 One last Class of 2026 reel cause we’re so proud of them💛
#brenauuniversity #collegegrad #classof2026
Last Friday, Macey Rice graduated with a bachelor’s in elementary education alongside the person who inspired her passion for helping children — her mom.
“It’s probably one of the best feelings in the world to graduate with my mom,” Macey said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Ashley Rice (Macey’s mom) said they didn’t anticipate following the same degree path, their timelines just happened to align at the perfect moment. Now that they have both earned their bachelor’s degrees, Macey plans to search for teaching jobs in Macon, Georgia, while Ashley intends to continue teaching pre-K.
“She’s like my best friend,” said Ashley while smiling at her daughter. “When they say you grow up with your first child, you literally do. I got her into childcare by having her work with me at the daycare. It’s amazing to see that she’s following in my footsteps.“
#brenauuniversity #collegegraduates #classof2026
Nursing Pinning Ceremony🩺⭐️ Last week, we celebrated our BSN, ABSN, and ELMSN students who graduated from Brenau’s Mary Inez Grindle School of Nursing! We’re incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication, and we can’t wait to see the practicing nursing professionals they become!
#nursinggrad #nursingschool #classof2026
We asked our recent grads to offer some advice to high school seniors for National College Decision Day! Here’s what they had to say!
#collegedecisionday #brenauuniversity
