Outstanding Graduate, Spring 2023

Taylor Spencer

Taylor Spencer transferred to ASU after completing his associate’s degree at Yakima Valley College for the opportunity to pursue his passion of graphic design and experience something new. Though the weather was certainly different, he fell into a rhythm during this chapter of his life. That confidence led him to the certainty that he was doing exactly what he wanted to do, exactly where he wanted to be. 

“I had this moment one night — nothing astronomical — when I was doing my work and realized there is nothing else I’d rather do for the rest of my life,” Spencer says. “I’ve realized throughout my academics that I have a voice and the ability to spark change and action through a visual lens.”

During his undergraduate studies in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, Spencer was one of seven designers selected to participate in a selective design curriculum called GIT Creative Agency where he developed branding and advertisements for the ASU GIT Emerge exhibit. He was also a student worker at Work+, a program that gives students the opportunity to work with real clients on branding design and website development in order to give students a leg up on the competition after graduation. 

He received the GIT Outstanding Design award twice and also won the Branding Systems and Campaign GIT Industry Award. Spencer attributes his success to Prescott Perez-Fox and Kassidy Beaux, his mentors and assistant professors of graphic design in The Polytechnic School.

“The enthusiasm and industry experience that my professors bring into their courses has been a major inspiration throughout my academics,” Spencer says. “I’ve become a more well-rounded and intentional designer thanks to their guidance and dedication to the program and students like me.”

He plans to move back to the Pacific Northwest after graduation to pursue a career as a graphic designer in a branding agency where he will develop campaigns that connect and bring people together. 

Read about other exceptional graduates of the Fulton Schools’ Spring 2023 class here.

More exceptional graduates from Spring 2023

Benjamin Tan

Benjamin Tan

Outstanding Graduate

Tianna Chemello

Tianna Chemello

Outstanding Graduate

Tallin Speek

Tallinn Speek

Outstanding Graduate

Rahul Kashyap

Rahul Kashyap

Outstanding Graduate

Emmie Benard

Emmie Benard

Outstanding Graduate

Brendan Adair

Brendan Dee Adair

Outstanding Graduate

Parin Trivedi

Parin Haresh Trivedi

Outstanding Graduate

Kolby Feyen

Kolby Feyen

Outstanding Graduate

Imaya De Silva

Imaya De Silva

Impact Award

Aarushi Bharti

Aarushi Bharti

Outstanding Graduate

Taylor Brown

Taylor Brown

Outstanding Graduate

Michelle Houchins

Michelle Houchins

Outstanding Graduate

Cecelia Alcantar

Cecilia Alcantar

Impact Award

Leslie Miller

Leslie Miller

Convocation Speaker, Impact Award

Wyatt Blackson

Wyatt Blackson

Outstanding Graduate

Matthew Cardinale

Matthew Cardinale

Outstanding Graduate

Kealen Heinz

Kealen Heinz

Outstanding Graduate

Ananay Arora

Ananay Arora

Impact Award

Jonathan Ko

Jonathan Ko

Impact Award

Jasmin Falconer

Jasmin Falconer

Impact Award, Outstanding Graduate

Jacob Kopitske

Jacob Kopitske

Outstanding Graduate

Naysan Sahba

Naysan Sahba

Impact Award

Ashwin Chandwani

Ashwin Chandwani

Palais Outstanding Doctoral Student Award

Patrick Wojcik

Outstanding Graduate

Zachary Goode

Zachary Goode

Outstanding Graduate

Jennifer Wong

Jennifer Wong

Impact Award, University Outstanding Graduate

Fantasi Nicole

Fantasi Nicole

PhD Ceremony Speaker

Shaira Alam

Shaira Alam

Outstanding Graduate

Catherine Johnston

Catherine Johnston

Outstanding Graduate

Mitchell Bader

Mitchell Bader

Outstanding Graduate

Jimmie Macabou

Outstanding Graduate

Ashley Tse

Outstanding Graduate