Leslie Shattuck, a senior Digital Culture and Design major at Coastal Carolina University, was voted 2023 DCD Student of the Year by department faculty. Shattuck grew up in a small town in New Hampshire. While she enjoyed being in a smaller community, she says, “it is also what encouraged me to branch out and come to Coastal. I wanted to push myself and see how I would thrive in a large, diverse environment like this.”
Shattuck shared that throughout her time here at Coastal, she was involved in organizations and clubs that catered to her major.
“My freshman year, I was very focused on academics and getting acclimated to college, but in my sophomore year, I was fortunate enough to get involved with the men’s club volleyball team,” said Shattuck. “Since then, I have been a manager for the team, made promotional videos for their social media, and taken photos at practices and tournaments.” Shattuck’s ability to blend her academic program with extracurricular work was a benefit in both realms.
Shattuck attributes much of her success as a DCD student to her professors, specifically Dr. Sarah Laiola and Dr. Anna Mukamal.
“[They] have been very supportive and encouraging to me during my time here. They are phenomenal professors who push me to be the best student and person I can be,” said Shattuck. “I’m very grateful to have known them and learned from both of them.”
Shattuck’s admiration is reciprocated by her professors. Dr. Laiola says Leslie was made for the DCD program and has an “eye for design,” especially when it comes to social media and digital platforms.
Although school became overwhelming at times, Shattuck still pushed to find balance between academics and her personal life. “It’s been challenging, but very beneficial for me,” she said. Shattuck cites her extracurricular pursuits as a way to have fun and stay involved on campus, adding, “I would say that I also know myself very well, and allow myself to take breaks when I need them.”
Being selected for such a major award left Shattuck “very surprised and extremely grateful.” Although graduating college can throw you in many different directions and often leaves you wondering what’s next, Shattuck knows what she wants.
“I plan to go straight into the workforce: production.”
Congratulations, Leslie!
English department interns Jordan Philo and Nyjah Asbury co-authored this story.
