ACU became the first university in Texas to be named an Adobe Creative Campus last spring.

“ACU has been recognized by Adobe as an ‘innovative, forward-thinking institution of higher education incorporating creative problem solving into its curricula and fostering twenty-first-century methods of teaching and learning,’” said Dr. John Weaver, dean of Brown Library.

With gaining this recognition, ACU joins the company of other creative campuses such as Penn State, Boston University and Austin Community College.

The university has worked with Adobe for the past three years to offer students, as well as faculty and staff free access to the creative cloud.

“For the past few years, ACU has been participating in Adobe Creative Campus Collaborations, events that present ideas and best practices in digital literacy and education,” Amos Gutierrez, the on-campus Adobe Ambassador and Learning Technology Specialist, said.

Adobe’s description of the program describes various ways both the school and its students can benefit from this program, such as leadership opportunities, increased educational opportunities and access to Adobe creative programs.

“ACU faculty are nationally recognized as leaders in digital literacy, collaborating and sharing best practices with other universities,” Weaver said.

Gutierrez believes that even though some students are naturally more creative than others, use of Adobe programs allows for a more level playing field that helps and expands everyone’s creativity. He believes that the implementation of creative assignments using Adobe programs gives students opportunities to develop their digital and creative skills.

“Creative assignments continue to place importance on traditional research methods, but allow students to engage in the creative process, which includes learning something new, taking risks and not being afraid of failure.

“It’s okay if a student’s submission lacks in visual appeal. While this might be seen as a failure, it is the beginning stages of fostering creativity within students. Students that continue to engage the creative process will then be able to think more creatively,” Gutierrez said.

Any faculty, staff or students with questions about Adobe Creative Cloud can email adobe@acu.edu, visit the office located in the Innovation Foundry or visit acu.edu/adobe.

The Faculty Fellows participated in a one-day workshop in June directed by the Innovation Foundry and Learning Studio.