Rate My Professor Megan Cary

Megan Cary serves as Chair of the Department of Visual Arts and Associate Professor of Graphic Arts at the University of Mobile, where she has been a faculty member since 2013. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the University of South Alabama in 2009, graduating summa cum laude with concentrations in graphic design and painting, along with journalism coursework. In 2013, she received a Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design, completing thesis work on interactive design that examined how internet culture influences cognitive shifts in interaction and learning, proposing methods to boost museum engagement through interactive exhibits. At the University of Mobile, initially appointed as Assistant Professor of Graphic Arts, she advanced to Associate Professor in 2018. As Program Coordinator for Graphic Design, she transformed the program from a minor to a full Bachelor of Fine Arts degree implemented in 2018, co-founded the BFA in Studio Art program, and oversaw exponential enrollment growth with the first graduates in 2016. She teaches a broad curriculum including print design, user experience, web design, and senior portfolio courses, incorporating hands-on projects like paper prototyping and custom packaging to prepare students for professional careers.

Prior to her primary academic role, Cary held senior creative positions at Crown Products from 2009 to 2013, managing catalog design, e-commerce websites, product photography, and marketing collateral while supervising designers. From 2007 to 2018, she was Associate Publisher and Creative Director at Negative Capability Press, designing and typesetting over 40 books and curating content for their annual journal. Since 2007, she has operated her own Megan Cary Design & Consulting, providing branding, illustration, web design, and publication services to clients including EBSCO Industries subsidiaries. Her professional achievements include two American Graphic Design Awards in 2018 for a sponsorship brochure and book design, Gold and Silver PPAI Awards, multiple Addy Awards, and a Gold PPAI Technology Award. Cary contributes to academic service as Vice President of the Faculty Council, President and founding member of AIGA Mobile, and leader of the AIGA EMERGE 2.0 design team. She has also taught as adjunct faculty at the University of Florida, University of Maryland University College, Southern New Hampshire University, and University of South Alabama, and curated exhibitions such as “Other Worldly” at the University of Mobile.