Catherine Kennedy

Catherine graduated in sculpture from MCAD in 2005 and also holds an associate degree from the Center for Artistic and Cultural Studies in her home country of Cote D’Ivoire, West Africa. She received an Artist Initiative in 2007 from the Minnesota State Arts Board and has exhibited locally at The College of St. Catherine and Intermedia Arts. While an MCAD student, Catherine received three merit scholarship awards—financial support that she says was critical to her education and why she wants to now give back to students and the College. She currently works as a program coordinator at a residential group home for people with disabilities.

Bethany Iverson

A 2006 graduate from the College’s BS Visualization program where her focus was on “qualitative methods, ideation and audience analysis,” Bethany is currently associate strategic planner at space 150, a national digital marketing and creative agency. Previously, she was co-founder/owner of Kinetiko Toys, a product design and development group. Bethany also holds an MA degree in rhetoric, scientific and technical communication from the University of Minnesota and will be the Board of Directors first alum representing the MCAD’s BS program. Her husband is a professional break-dancer.

Emily Taylor

Emily received her BFA in 2000 and has worked in a variety of arts, advertising and non-profit organizations where she has developed an expertise in project management, events, and arts administration. Emily has worked for two years as performing arts assistant where she develops, coordinates and manages a scope of events and presentations. She also volunteers with various local arts and community organizations, such as the Soap Factory’s $99 Sale and last February’s Paradigm Shift event. Her interests and passions are “in social forums, art education, community programs and creating new opportunities for patrons to engage in the arts.”

Janet Groenert

A 1979 graduate and fine arts studio major from MCAD, Janet divides her time between her artistic work and her position as science camp coordinator at The Science Museum of Minnesota, where she develops educational programs for young people, blending her passion for creative problem solving with the study of science. Janet is a fiber artist whose work often carries an activist message, such as her clothing made of “Caution!” tape and found construction materials. In 2007, she received an MSAB Artist Initiative grant and has exhibited at Intermedia Arts, Walker Art Center, Soo Visual Arts Center among other venues. Her work has also been included in numerous publication and articles.

Joe Monnens

Graduating in 1994 in graphic design from MCAD, Joe also holds an MFA from CalArts (1996). In addition to having a love of teaching (he was a member of the College’s adjunct faculty following graduate school), Joe describes his creative work as being attune with risk-taking that can lead to big ideas, while approaching design as business, creating unbelievable” form that delivers equity for companies. Joe is senior art director at Colle McVoy has won number awards for his work. Previously, he held design/ art direction positions at Initio Adverting, FAME and Duffy. Joe is married to Sarah Monnens ’94, production manager at Little and Company.