Kennedy Logan is “flexing” her creative muscle at Central Piedmont.

The Belmont, N.C., native always had a passion for art, but wasn’t quite sure how to make it into a career. She knew she wanted to attend college close to home; so, she and her high school advisor talked about her options and what art programs were offered by local colleges in the area. The more they talked about Central Piedmont’s graphic arts and imaging technology program – specifically its flexography concentration – the more she knew it was the right fit for her.

“I wanted a career in the arts that would allow me to both be creative and earn a living,” says Kennedy. “When I researched graphic arts as a profession, I realized it would allow me to accomplish both of these goals. I was immediately sold on the idea as a career path, and pursuing that path at Central Piedmont.”

Kennedy’s days at Central Piedmont are spent learning all there is to know about flexography, which is a form of printing that uses a flexible relief plate to print on almost any type of material, ranging from film and cellophane to paper. In fact, the technique can most commonly be seen on food packaging, which means consumers see its impact every day.

When she’s not in the classroom or lab, the first generation college student can be found participating in the college’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter, attending National Technical Honor Society meetings, or interning for the Financial Service Innovation Coalition (FSIC). She encourages her peers to get involved and put themselves out there, too.

“Central Piedmont has provided me with opportunity after opportunity,” says Kennedy. “Since becoming a student I’ve worked with an entrepreneurial hub as an operations manager, interned for an amazing screen-printing company, and served as a pre-press technician for a flexographic company. My Central Piedmont education has given me the confidence to excel in all of these roles and I’m forever grateful for the experiences the college has extended to me.”

Kennedy plans to graduate from Central Piedmont in May 2022 and build her own screen-printing business after graduation that specifically targets small business owners. “There are many impressive small businesses in the area that are in need of marketing help,” she concludes. “I want to raise awareness of their product for the world to see; I want to be the one to help.”