Cassandra Karyshyn

I always knew I wanted a career where I could express myself through creativity. In high school, I started my own sneaker-customizing business, Cassy Kustoms, and throughout community college, I continued to successfully run and grow my business. As I developed as an artist, my career path and education evolved with me, and graphic design became my focus.

I knew graphic design was the right major for me, but I wasn’t sure which school was the right fit. I first learned about the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) through my program advisor at Montgomery College, who recommended the B.F.A. in Art, Graphic Design Track offered by Salisbury University at USG. After attending an open house and connecting with my future professors, I knew USG would be my home for the next two years. The location, learning environment, smaller class sizes, and quality of education made the decision easy. Ultimately, USG allowed me to pursue my professional goals alongside my educational goals.

Once I started at USG, I quickly discovered how many opportunities and resources the campus offers. Career Services at the Macklin Center has been a huge help in developing my resume, portfolio and professional writing skills. I’ve also benefited from the counseling program, mentorship opportunities, and student engagement fairs. There is always someone on campus willing to help you grow.

The creative space our program provides is truly one of the best. Our studio has everything we need to succeed: iMacs, iPads, printers, cutting machines, cameras, rolls of backdrop paper, and plenty of space to spread out, experiment, and create. Building Four has seen many early mornings and late nights as I worked to perfect my projects. Doing what I love has also helped me form meaningful connections. I’ve built lifelong friendships with classmates who share my passion for design, photography, and content creation, and we’ve grown together through collaboration and shared creative experiences. Community is incredibly valuable in creative careers, and I’ve found that here at USG.

Outside the classroom, I’ve had opportunities to travel to Salisbury University’s main campus to create content for their social media, connect with alumni, and hear from guest speakers. Even though my classes are not located on the main campus, I still feel connected through technology, events, and the relationships I’ve built. My experience at USG has taught me not only strong design skills, but also how to start and manage my own personal design agency and work with clients. Presenting case studies to my peers and guest speakers, both in person and online, has strengthened my communication and collaboration skills.

Currently, I’m preparing for my senior show exhibition, where I’ll showcase the projects and skills I’ve developed over the past two years with the support of professors who truly care about my growth. I plan to complete my bachelor’s degree in Spring 2026, and I feel more prepared than ever for what comes next. After graduation, I plan to continue growing my design agency and enter the workforce doing what I love as a confident business owner with strong professional connections.

In the future, I hope to return to USG as an alum and give back to the creative community that helped shape me, whether through mentoring students or speaking in the very classrooms that once inspired me. I’m passionate about helping others see that a career in art is possible and that pursuing what you love is always worth it. 

I strongly encourage anyone considering a creative career to explore the Graphic Design program at USG. Students gain hands-on experience in areas like illustration, UX design, animation, and typography — all within a supportive, convenient community that helps you discover what your creative career can become.