Creative Ink
A full-service marketing firm run by Stephens students.
Creative Ink, an integrated marketing communications firm, provides students with hands-on opportunities to work with real clients in the Columbia community as well as departments and organizations at Stephens College.
The most creative and dedicated Stephens students are selected to join the firm. “Inkers,” as team members are called, strategically apply their expertise as creative directors, account executives and firm director. They partner with clients to provide a wide array of professionally designed pro-bono marketing communication services. The end result? Crucial experience for post-graduate success.
Real Experience, Real Resume Builder
Hear It From Past Inkers
Sara Barnett ’15, interactive art director at Paradowski Creative in St. Louis, Missouri
“My time in Creative Ink was not only my personal favorite experience I had at Stephens, it was also the reason why I felt so prepared for working in the industry. I was able to work with real clients against real business challenges, budgets and timelines in a collaborative environment. I’m beyond thankful for these experiences as it helped me stand out among a sea of other equally talented and strategic designers.”
Lindsey Iverson ’12, graphics manager at the Hoffman Estates Park District in Illinois
“After having secured my first job post college, I was told by my new boss how impressed she was with my portfolio and experience, and that I was a better candidate than most designers who had been in the field for at least four to five years already. I credit that entirely to Stephens, specifically my work with Creative Ink and my classes. I walked away and into the real world, applying for jobs, overqualified compared to most my age and prepared for my career.”
Rikki Takeyama ’09 B.S., ’10 M.S.L., vice president of strategic engagement for the St. Louis Regional Health Commission
“We are taught that we are strong Stephens women and that we can do anything. For me, my experience with Creative Ink proved just that. It proved, at the time, that I was capable of putting my knowledge, experience and skills to work in the real world. I felt much more prepared as I graduated Stephens College with four semesters of Creative Ink under my belt.”
Charell Strong ’12, account executive (Ad Ops) at Horizon Media
Before landing her current position, Charell Strong ’12 founded the digital lifestyle platform StrongandElite.com, while working in the N.Y.C. fashion industry. She said: “Creative Ink showed me how vast the career field can be in marketing and media. It showed me how agencies work and gave me experience that directly reflected the industry, in addition to an amazing portfolio for my job search.”
Natalie Stezovsky ’11, vice president at Influence & Co. in Denver, Colorado,
credits being in Creative Ink 100% to her landing her first job. She said: “It’s real world experience and you can’t beat that. Creative Ink was one of the cornerstone activities of my college career — I always think that I wouldn’t be where I am today without that experience. It helped push me to grow in areas of leadership, client relationships, management and creative abilities.”
Michelle Niewald ’14, lead, digital strategy and content planning at Spire, an energy company based in St. Louis, Missouri
“Stephens College completely prepared me for life after school — from Creative Ink and beyond, I had the professional skills and confidence needed to thrive after college. More importantly, Stephens helped me develop the most critical skills of all — how to be curious and keep learning, and to have the courage to define my own journey.”
Jennifer Anderson ’08 B.S., ’09 M.B.A., director of marketing at American Prairie Reserve, a nonprofit organization in Montana
“As a founding member of Creative Ink, I was able to put into action the strategic marketing principles I was learning in class, and that cemented those foundations in reality rather than theory. As Creative Ink’s first firm director, I also developed a strong business acumen, and have carried that learning with me throughout my career. Creative Ink gave me the real-world marketing experience that employers were looking for in their applicants, and it set me apart from other recent graduates.”
Aubrey Bryzeal McMurtry ’11, Senior UI/UX Design Lead, Integrity
“My time at Creative Ink allowed me to grow beyond the classroom and work directly in my field of interest. I was able to work with real-world clients on projects that reached beyond Stephens’ campus. It taught me how to work with a team, not just on projects by myself. Creative Ink taught me how to communicate properly with clients and how to lead in a design role.”