Rate My Professor Mary Ward

Mary Ward is an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design in the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education at Montana State University-Northern, contributing to the Arts and Culture faculty through her expertise in visual communication and digital media. She earned her BFA in Graphic Design from Montana State University in Bozeman and her MFA in Digital Media from the University of Montana. Prior to joining academia, Ward spent 11 years working professionally in the graphic design industry, gaining extensive practical experience that informs her teaching and mentorship of students in real-world applications of design principles.

In her role, Mary Ward supports the Graphic Design program, which provides a Bachelor of Arts degree and a minor emphasizing the integration of art and technology for communicating ideas via print and digital formats, including logos, websites, advertisements, and packaging. The curriculum covers foundational skills in drawing, painting, visual composition, typography, photography, web design, motion graphics, and proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, fostering critical thinking and visual problem-solving through project-based learning. Students develop professional portfolios, participate in annual art shows, and pursue internships with local partners such as the Havre Daily News, Havre Chamber of Commerce, and United Way of Hill County. Ward presented at the university's Brown Bag Lecture Series, discussing her transition from industry to education, and has been involved in academic senate subcommittees as co-chair as well as curriculum proposals for courses like GDSN 231 Graphic Design Application and digital image manipulation. Her office is in Pershing Hall 105.