GCU Design Faculty & Staff

Sheila Schumacher, MFA

Chair & Assistant Professor of Design

Designer, Educator, Problem Solver. They go well together.

Design experience includes newspaper and publication design, advertising campaign development, and brand evaluation and identity creation. Educating new designers by creating a curriculum that will get them jobs is a primary focus. Problem-solving and education strengths include organizational development, managing through transition, building organizations and strategic development.

Christopher Murphy, MFA

Assistant Professor of Design

My design experience with a diverse clientele includes creating corporate identity, websites, visual imagery, and magazine design. My strengths lie in visually communicating brand identity and delivering dynamic, integrated and time tested solutions.

I have more than 15 years in advertising, graphic and web design, focusing on brand development. I have designed for such agencies and brands as SELF & GLAMOUR Magazine, Intel, Tiffany & Co., MRM Worldwide, and Center at Cain.

Patrick Gerber, MFA

Assistant Professor of Design

Teaching graphic art skills, while technical, also involves more subjectivity on the part of the teacher. The role of the teacher is to appreciate creativity and analyze the students’ ideas not only from a visual appeal, but also from a user-friendly and a business approach. Learning to accept constructive criticism is vital for students in order to transition into a professional career. I feel strongly that college is the time and the place for a teacher to encourage student creativity as a launching pad for the students’ careers. Additionally, I like to share the students’ work in a classroom setting so all of the students can learn from each other in a positive environment.

Alison King, MA

Assistant Professor of Design

Alison is an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design and Advertising at Grand Canyon University. Previously she was Associate Professor at The Art Institute of Phoenix, where she taught for 18+ years. She is the author of two books on Arizona’s modern architecture including the authorized biography of Ralph Haver AIA the Addy Award-winning 2019 release “Making Architecture: The Work of 180 Degrees Design + Build”.

Jared Trask, MFA

Assistant Professor of Design

Results-driven and innovative graphic design and marketing specialist with over ten years of experience to execute both traditional and digital marketing and design initiatives. Posses the ability to assess business/design needs and goals, formulate strategy, develop branding, identify business objectives and translate into tactical, executable plans and designs.

Sophia Zaft, MBA

Assistant Professor of Design

As a marketing, public relations and digital media veteran, I have had the opportunity to work with a very diverse set of individuals and companies (eco-friendly, entertainment, education, food and beverage, legal, political clients, retail products, multi-unit restaurant, technology, B2B, telecommunication and media).

Paige Lock, BFA

Assistant Professor of Design

Vanessa Jones, MS

Coordinator for the College of Fine Arts & Production

Serving as the primary point of contact for the College working directly for the Dean of the College. Duties include and are not limited to: Financial coordinator, production coordinator, student engagement, master scheduler (for Dean and seventeen faculty/staff and department). Oversee departmental/event/class master calendar and update accordingly. Coordinate college events with event team and schedule student/staff/faculty meetings appropriately.