Maria Hostetter‘s long and varied history with Pennsylvania College of Art & Design has taken a new turn. 

She earned a diploma in Communication Art and Graphic Design from the then-Pennsylvania School of Art and Design in 1993, studied Art Education at Millersville University, then returned to PCA&D to earn her BFA in Graphic Design in 2016. Since then, she’s guided students, first as a member of the College’s continuing education programming and then as a member of the Graphic Design faculty. Most recently, she’s served as an Assistant Professor in Graphic Design and Illustration. 

And now, she’s taken a new step: succeeding Pamela Barby as Chair of the Graphic Design Department. 

In that role, Hostetter also brings to bear experience as a designer, creative director, and more, in the graphic design field. 

“I’ve been extremely fortunate to have worked in a variety of different design positions since graduating from PSAD in 1993,” Hostetter says. “I began my design career working for a local serve-ware company where I was given the opportunity to design beautiful metal serving pieces along with the company catalogs, advertisements, and marketing materials. 

“A few years later, I began my management career as the creative director for a national agency overseeing the graphic and web designers and copywriters.”

That experience follows Hostetter as she takes on her new role as Chair. 

“In addition to my position as the Graphic Design Chair, I continue to run my graphic design business,” Hostetter says. “I am also employed as the graphic designer for a national drug and alcohol treatment center, and the social media associate for a national outdoors company.”

Running her own design business, Hostetter says, “has taught me a lot about communication, setting and managing deadlines, and how to work in many different design fields.”

What inspires Hostetter to add teaching to that resume?

The most rewarding aspect of teaching, she says, “is seeing our students succeed as design professionals. I love being able to follow them on social media and professional social media sites. I continue to watch them grow and develop as designers and educators.”

The graphic design field, Hostetter adds, is a dynamic one. “It is constantly changing and evolving, opening up more opportunities to pursue different creative avenues as a graphic designer.”