Winston-Salem State University: An innovator in digital creativity and education
- Gustavo Yamasaki
- Aug 26
- 3 min read
Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) in North Carolina has long been a standard of excellence in education, regularly named as one of the top historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) in the United States. WSSU became the first HBCU to become an Adobe Creative Campus, an achievement that recognized the university’s commitment to helping students reach their full potential.
Since becoming an Adobe Creative Campus, WSSU has consistently promoted digital literacy by encouraging faculty development, innovative teaching practices, and sound research to drive higher student engagement.
Adobe recently recognized these efforts by naming WSSU as an Adobe Creative Campus Innovator, an exclusive designation that celebrates organizations that go above and beyond to empower students in a digital-first world.
“There’s power in partnership,” Kevan Turman, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement, said. “We’re proud to have a partner in Adobe who is just as committed to student success as WSSU.”
Using data to study the impact of digital initiatives
Dr. Wanda White-Walker, director for the Center for Innovative and Transformative Instruction (CITI), is one of the voices leading the Creative Campus movement at WSSU. Today, WSSU’s initiatives serve as an inspiration replicated by institutions across the country.
The Digital Rams Across Campus (DRAC) initiative engaged 30 faculty members and more than 1,600 students—approximately one-third of the student body—by challenging students to complete assignments using tools like Adobe Express, InDesign, Audition, and Premiere Pro.
Students embraced creative storytelling and digital expression, with 82% of the students who participated concluding that the digital tools encouraged greater class engagement and heightened interest in assignments. Faculty agreed that the initiative was a success, rating the experience as 4.83 out of 5.
Not only do these metrics provide CITI with measurable insights into the impact of digital learning, but they demonstrate WSSU’s exceptional effort to study the impact of its initiatives.
Opening the doors to creativity for everyone
White-Walker describes the Media Production Lab, a cutting-edge facility featuring podcasting rooms, video production spaces, and workstations equipped with Adobe software, as “the hottest spot on campus,” used by students, faculty, staff, community, and alums alike.
The lab’s success has exceeded expectations, with usage rates tripling initial projections. A large majority of students (81%) said that working at the lab encouraged them to attend class and use creative apps in other classes. Faculty were equally impressed, with 69% saying that it resulted in more student engagement.
“The Media Production Lab is not just a space for technology, but it’s a creative community,” White-Walker said. “When people meet here, something magical always happens.”
Driving student success
The most important thing for WSSU is the impact that being an Adobe Creative Campus has on students. Martasia Thompson, a 2021 graduate of WSSU, became the school’s first Adobe Student Ambassador, learning how to use programs such as Lightroom, Illustrator, and InDesign to visually communicate complex finance and business information. These skills helped set her apart in the job market, leading to a competitive job offer from Reynolds America.
Alumnae Natasha McNeill and Kayla Walker founded their media production company, Horama Productions, during their undergraduate years, honing their skills using free Adobe Creative Cloud licenses. By the time the two graduated in 2025, they each had a degree, professional connections, and a growing media business.
“Adobe gave us the platform to bring our ideas to life,” McNeill said. “It helped me explore media and pinpoint where my creativity fits in the industry. That clarity has been huge for me post-graduation.”
The future of digital creativity at WSSU
As an Adobe Creative Campus Innovator, WSSU is poised to continue its journey of innovation and impact. The next big focus is providing students with AI knowledge that they need to become experts in next-generation technologies.
“The more you get involved with Adobe Creative Cloud, the more you start to realize that the potential is endless,” Turman explained. “There’s so much more that we can do with Adobe, and we’re excited about what we can give our students in the future.”
Interested in integrating Adobe tools on your campus? See the full list of Adobe Creative Campus Innovators and find out more about becoming an Adobe Creative Campus.
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