Stephany Silva Fajardo has been named the summer 2024 commencement student marshal for Penn State's College of Arts and Architecture.
Silva Fajardo is graduating with a Bachelor of Design in Digital Multimedia Design. Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Silva Fajardo is a Penn State World Campus adult learner who lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with her husband and two daughters.
She was a member of the Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honors Society and a recipient of the Fischer Family Academic Scholarship.
“I feel deeply honored and immensely grateful to be named as student marshal,” Silva Fajardo said. “It signifies not just the culmination of my academic efforts but also the resilience and determination it took to balance my roles as a student and a mother.”
During her time at Penn State, her research focused on artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool for designers. Under the guidance of assistant teaching professor Benjamin Andrew, she created a brand identity catalog incorporating AI elements into both the final visual compositions and the early conceptual development stages.
“This project significantly expanded my knowledge as a designer in the emerging field of AI, equipping me with innovative techniques and a forward-thinking approach,” Silva Fajardo said.
In January 2024, she was an invited student panelist at the Digitally Engaged Learning Conference, where she discussed her work on the AI branding project. This opportunity, Silva Fajardo said, allowed her to connect with peers from the University of the Arts in London, the University of Texas, and the New School, as well as industry leaders from Penn State and other institutions.
“These experiences have profoundly impacted my personal and professional growth, reinforcing my passion for design and my commitment to leveraging technology in innovative ways,” Silva Fajardo said. “Being a Penn State alumna is a title I will wear proudly, and it will help me connect with other individuals who are equally committed to excellence, quality, and success.”
The summer 2024 commencement ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, August 10, at 10:30 a.m. at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Learn more about the Bachelor of Design in Digital Multimedia Design offered online through Penn State World Campus.