MyLinh (Millie) Mac, a 2016 Valparaiso University alumna, is reflecting on her career a decade after earning her Bachelor of Arts in art. Mac attributes her foundational experiences at Valpo to shaping her diverse path, which now includes an Emmy award and international recognition in art and design.
While a student, Mac's initial design work included a Halloween poster created in Microsoft Paint to promote a free food event for the Valparaiso International Student Association (VISA). She was actively involved with the VISA executive board and secured her first marketing and graphic design role with the Office of International Programs (OIP). This position was specifically created for her by former Director and Professor Moninder "Holly" Singh. Mac notes that this early professional experience expanded her understanding of various cultures, which continues to influence her work today.
Her education at Valparaiso University included foundational classes that provided technical skills, but Mac emphasizes the impact of faculty wisdom. She cites Professors Robert "Bob" Sirko, Sarah Jantzi, and Aimee Tomasek as key influences. Professor Sirko taught her that a creative professional does not need to be confined to a single discipline, encouraging her to explore painting, design, and other areas. Professor Jantzi, through her collection of everyday props, imparted the ability to find beauty in humble settings while teaching oil painting. Professor Tomasek offered a significant mindset shift, guiding Mac to leverage negative criticism and embrace her unique qualities, which Mac later realized made her work distinctive in a competitive field.
Following her graduation from Valpo, Mac continued her education, earning a master's degree in art education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) in 2019, followed by a master's degree in entrepreneurship from Columbia College Chicago (CCC) in 2021. Her post-Valpo career has spanned fine art, design, education, and creative leadership roles.
Two years after leaving Valparaiso, Mac launched Ranbu, an 80-piece abstract painting series created without brushes. The success of this series led to her Constellation series and propelled her work beyond traditional galleries. Her art has been displayed in diverse venues, including art hotels, the Carrousel du Louvre, a Guinness Record exhibition, and a billboard in Times Square. Since 2020, she has also been invited to judge international design awards for AIVA and the Farmani Group for over seven years.
By 2022, Mac began working at Colorado State University as a graphic designer for the marketing and brand management team. In this role, she integrates her skills as an artist, designer, and educator. Her team received an Emmy for Best Children’s Program for WizKid at CSU SPUR in July. Additionally, Mac has served as a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant panelist and advocates for artists through the UNESCO-partnered IAA-USA. She notes that her habit of community involvement, developed during her time on the VISA executive board, has continued in these new capacities.
Mac reflects that her achievements are a direct result of a community that believed in her during her time at Valpo. She suggests that the university's art program, despite its smaller size compared to other departments, cultivates "creative powerhouses." She advises current Valpo students to embrace gradual progress, prioritize building strong relationships, and lean into their technical foundations. She also cherishes the long-standing connections with friends and the support from the alumni network, stating that Valpo provided her the confidence to "design my dream path."
In related anecdotes, Mac recalls the "Eight-Minute Myth" where Google Maps estimates for campus walks were often extended to 1.5 hours due to frequent social interactions. She also spent extensive time in the Christopher Center Library, more than in her residence hall or art studio. She speculates that activities involving her friends might have contributed to the library's closing time changing from 2 a.m. to midnight in 2017. Furthermore, in 2014, Mac painted a mural on the Harre Union Ballroom stage as a farewell gift for Holly Singh's last Annual World Banquet, a work that became an unexpected tradition for subsequent VISA crews.
