WASHINGTON – (December 6, 2018), Howard University has been selected to attend the Adobe Worldwide Sales Conference this December in Las Vegas. Howard will be the only historically Black college or university at the conference, joining the University of California, Berkeley and University of North Carolina. Representing Howard will be award-winning photojournalist and digital design adjunct professor, Cheriss May, along with two students – senior Sydne Barard and sophomore Kiara Hardy. The conference will include leaders in industries of photography, video production, documentary filmmaking and storytelling. 

“This conference is an opportunity for me to really push my skills in a fast pace environment. I am truly excited and grateful to be able to take part,” says Sydne Barard, a senior studying information systems.

As part of the conference’s visual communications team, they will create inspiring graphics, produce video and photography storytelling, interview attendees, and develop content for Adobe’s Facebook group. 

May, who has taught digital design in the Cathy Hughes School of Communications for 14 years, will also learn from this experience, stating, “We are not only supervising the students, but also creating content as well.”

“I look forward to working with our students, Sydne and Kiara, and with Adobe and representing Howard University well this month,” says May. “This is an awesome opportunity!”

Howard University’s presence at this event is also a move toward improving diversity in visual communications, an industry with a lack of African American and minorities in the C-Suite level. Barard notes that diversity in visual communications it is important and should be broadcasted more. She plans on developing a career in the industry.

“During the conference, I hope to obtain a true design experience that will leave me with a better understanding of myself as a designer, and where I may fit into the corporate design world.”

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(Pictured from left to right: Cheriss May, Sydne Barard and Kiara Hardy - courtesy of Cheriss May)

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States.  For more information on Howard University visit www.howard.edu

Media Contact: Imani Pope-Johns, Imani.popejohns@howard.edu