Arts at Michigan
Staff Directory
- Deb Mexicotte
- Joe Levickas
- Raul Jiminez
- Melanie Kruvelis
- Justin Meyer
- Charlie Dill
- Molly Lester
- Colleen Dennison
- Callie Stewart
- Cadice Yono
- Vinayak Thapliyal
Deb Mexicotte
Assistant Director/ Office of New Student Programs
Program Coordinator/ Arts at Michigan
Working at Arts at Michigan has brought together two of my great loves - working with students and the arts! Getting students connected to the arts either as audience members, art-makers, or leaders in the arts is a great job, and collaborating with the dedicated (and really fun!) staff that makes up our Arts at Michigan family is the icing on the cake! So, now a little bit more about me.
I have coordinated the Arts at Michigan program since 2007 and have spent nearly 20 years working with students and student organizations at the University of Michigan. I began at the University as the Facilities Coordinator at the Student Theatre Arts Complex, and have also worked as the Director of Michigan Union Arts and Programs, the Program Coordinator for the 2001 Dance for Mother Earth-Ann Arbor Pow Wow, and the Office and Program Manager for the Office of Student Activities and Leadership.
I got my B.F.A. in Theatre at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and my M.A. in Scene and Costume Design at the University of Michigan. I worked as a professional Scenic Artist at regional and college theatres for several years before taking her first position with U of M and settling in Ann Arbor. I have been married for 30 great years to her husband Brian, and has three children - Olivia, Fletcher and Elinor. Away from the University, I have worked in public education advocacy, and am currently the President of the Ann Arbor Board of Education - where I have been a member for the last 9 years. I also enjoy gardening, reading, yoga, and, of course, attending music and theatre performances and visiting art museums!
Joe Levickas
Program Specialist
I earned my BFA from University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, and my MFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, both in Painting. I helped coordinate programs and exhibitions at Pratt Institute and The Cooper Union in New York, and at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild in Pittsburgh. As an artist and an administrator, the arts have been a driving force in my career, and I’m really excited to be working in a position that gives me new opportunities each day to share that passion. I’m a museum lover and have been known to travel hours on a bus just to visit one I’ve never seen. I love going to cultural events and seeing offbeat film and theatre productions. I have a peculiar passion for music from 1994, a not–so–peculiar passion for French food and all types of cheese. And I’m a serious New York Yankees fan.
I’m a recent graduate from the LS&A with a major in history. The best part of history is the funny hats people used to wear; although, I would count typography and book-binding as greater interests of mine (with some origami on the side). I love working on the Web site for the Arts at Michigan to create an engaging experience that makes the arts an important part of campus life.
I am a proud alumni of the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance with a major in Theatre Design & Production! Most of my free time I enjoy things such as adventures, DVDs of the West Wing, teaching, classic/silent films, music, stand-up comedy, To Write Love On Her Arms, high-fives, high-tops and Wizard Rock. I’m also working on getting my MA in Arts Administration from Eastern Michigan University. For four years, I had a ton of contact with the arts here at Michigan, and I’m constantly amazed at the quality of work this university not only produces, but brings to campus for students to enjoy. Too many students don’t realize this until it is too late, and so being able to bring more students to the arts is a great experience and a lot of fun for me.
I am a current student at the School of Art and Design concentrating
in Industrial Design. When I am not in the studio I participate and spectate in music, sports, film and the environment. During my time at Arts and Michigan I hope to expose more students to their creative capabilities.
I am a junior in the School of Art & Design and am also working towards a minor for Program in the Environment. I love creating art that involves people and nature, and enjoy a wide range of mediums such as graphic design, drawing, painting, and mixed media. Outside the art world I love spending time with friends, being outdoors, listening to music, and chanting “Go Blue!”
I am a senior at the School of Arts and design and I was born and raised in Hong Kong. I am very interested in the arts and I hope to work in the field after I graduate. I love life and bleed Maize and Blue!
Originally from New Jersey, I relocated down to Nashville, TN for my baccalaureate degree at Vanderbilt University. Last summer I spent the summer in New Orleans and discovered my passion for the city, and educational administration, which brought me up here to Ann Arbor! I am currently a first-year in the master's program for Higher Education in the School of Education. I like to think I've taken the best artistic bits of my three previous "homes" with me (Country music, brass bands, and... techno). Artistic expression (especially through music) has always been a large part of my life which is why I'm particularly excited to be sharing that passion with the University of Michigan community through Arts at Michigan. Outside of traveling, higher education, and the arts, I'm a huge fan of college football/basketball, reading, collecting movies, and knitting. And hats, but particularly knitting hats.
I am an Asian Studies/Japanese major in the School of LSA. I became interested in Graphic Design when I started messing around with Photoshop and I attempted to create an event flier for an organization that shall remain nameless. It was the worst thing ever created on a computer, just a complete mishmash of butchered images pasted together with those random/weird symbols from the Matrix movie floating around in the background and a bluish overlay (the nameless organization that shall remain nameless was neither amused nor pleased). But everyone has to start somewhere and with time comes experience, so I continued to polish my skills while also gaining more interest in Adobe Creative Suite and graphic design. Random tidbits about myself, I enjoy breakdancing to old school funk music, I love collecting innovative technological gadgets that serve no functional purpose than to make me look more tech savvy, and when I was little I chuckled when I found out Santa was not real, but shed many tears when I discovered that Michael Jackson did not really invent the Moonwalk and was not really walking on air(<--definitely debatable).
I earned my BFA in Studio Art with concentrations in graphic design and sculpture, and my MA in Student Affairs Administration, both from Michigan State University. Although it’s taken some time for my eyes to adjust to all of this maize and blue, I love working with students at Michigan. In my spare time I can usually be found knitting, crafting, running, or reading. I’m also a shopaholic and I absolutely could not live in this world without tea or kitties!Charlie Dill
Program & Student Development Assistant
I am currently pursuing my master's degree in higher education administration from CSHPE at the School of Education. I earned my bachelor's degree from Albion College in May 2011 with a double major in Business and Psychology. During undergrad, I worked as a First Year Experience Mentor and an Admissions Tour Guide, where I developed a strong interest in program development and working with students. I spent my junior year in the United Kingdom studying abroad at the London School of Economics and Political Science. I have been playing the piano since the age of 5, and the arts have always been a huge part of my life. I am thrilled to carry on that passion working for Arts at Michigan. Outside of school, I enjoy music (of all sorts), traveling, and kayaking on the Huron River.
Molly Lester
Graphic Designer
I am a junior in the school of Art and Design focusing on graphic design. I transfered to Michigan in my sophomore from Michigan State to pursue art. I am a huge proponent in the Living Arts Community, being both a peer mentor and the market director. I find art's relation to technology fascinating, specifically how technology's growth is leading to new ways to create art. I love reading (manga and novels), 3D modeling, and watching Will Ferrell movies.
Colleen Dennison
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
In the spring I will finish my BFA in the school of Art and Design, with a focus in graphic design. For my senior thesis I am writing and illustrating a children's book. In addition to working at Arts at Michigan, I also work as a freelance designer, illustrator, and photographer. I am interest in illustration, creative writing, 19th century literature, and tea. I hope one day to own a grey cat, travel to Scotland, and live by the sea.
Callie Stewart
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
I am an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan, participating in a dual degree program which allows me to work toward both a BA in the School of Art & Design, as well as a BA in Cultural Anthropology, and minor in Creative Writing. This was perfect for me because I would much rather do everything I love than only pick one! In Art & Design, I am concentrating on building a portfolio in graphic design and photography. I hope the cultural knowledge I gain through my Anthropology degree will help enhance and push my artwork. Along with culture, art and writing, my other great love is travel. I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to live and travel abroad and this has had a great impact on my life. Like most undergrads, my future after school is hardly clear, but I am excited for whatever adventure comes my way!
Candice Yono
PROGRAM & STUDENT DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT
After living in France for about eight months, enjoying fabulous cheeses and delicious wines, I returned home to begin grad school. Currently, I am pursuing a Master in Higher Education Administration, and a Master of Science in Information. I earned a B.A. in History and French, with a minor in English, from Oakland University. As an undergraduate, I worked closely supervising a few student organizations, programming, and networking with faculty and staff. From my experiences, I became interested in working with student development. I am also interested in international education and study abroad programs. Outside of school, I absolutely love cooking and baking. I write a food blog (boushala.wordpress.com) to document my culinary adventures! I also love reading, traveling, writing, chocolate, cheese, Lord of the Rings, and spending time with family and friends!
Right now, I'm a student at the School of Art and Design class of 2010 focusing in Graphic Design. I like reading, traveling, cooking, baking, book arts, graphic arts, printmaking and painting. In the future, I hope to be a graphic designer at a marketing or advertising firm and potentially open my own design firm someday. I believe the arts are a successful vehicle of expression which can be applied to any field. I think it is important to have a balance of art and creativity with logic and structure in life. Art can be both.Raul Jiminez
Program Assistant
Right now, I'm a student at the School of Art and Design class of 2010 focusing in Graphic Design. I like reading, traveling, cooking, baking, book arts, graphic arts, printmaking and painting. In the future, I hope to be a graphic designer at a marketing or advertising firm and potentially open my own design firm someday. I believe the arts are a successful vehicle of expression which can be applied to any field. I think it is important to have a balance of art and creativity with logic and structure in life. Art can be both.
I am pursuing my masters degree in Higher Education Administration (CSHPE) at the University of Michigan and expect to graduate in December of 2011. I received my bachelors degree in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 2007. I worked for various public relation and event planning companies before entering graduate school. I have been working with Arts at Michigan since September of 2010 as the Education Specialist, and love every minute of it. I consider myself to be very lucky to be able to combine my love for art and higher education through this position. I also love smelly cheese, wine, warm socks and the sun. :)
Melanie Kruvelis
Program Assistant
I am a freshman in the International Studies program, planning on transferring to the School of Public Policy my junior year. When I'm not in the Arts office, I occupy most of my time writing for the Michigan Daily, working as an Arts Ambassador, and seeing concerts around campus. I love kayaking, big cities, and Tina Fey. I also have a frighteningly large knowledge of all things 90s. It's a bit of a problem.
I am a junior in the College of Engineering. Ever sicne I was young, I had an interest in technology and even taught myself HTML and webdesign so becoming a webmaster for Arts at Michigan is a literally a dream come true for me. Outside of technology, I'm interested in culture, music, travelling, and just learning new things in general. Besides Arts at michigan, I am also actively involved in multiple student organizations on campus.Justin Meyer
Marketing Assistant
Normally a citizen of much warmer/milder climates, I am about to start a long academic journey (aka a PhD) in urban planning at Taubman College here at Michigan. Previous to my time in Ann Arbor, I lived in California and then England, earning a BS in product design engineering and a MPhil in environmental design in architecture. In addition to my love for cities and architecture, I have a considerable passion for classical music, cultivated during a stint as a freelance professional singer, as well as an ongoing interest in basketball.
In fulfilling my passion for the graphic arts, I live to impact the world visually with my unique perspective and style. As a graphic artist, my aesthetic is defined by my great attention to detail and elaborate vector designs. I am currently close to earning a BFA from the School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan. With my family and I being from Mexico City, and my first language being spanish, my culture has contributed to my dedication and conceptual creative process. Coffee, music, going out with friends, and just relaxing are some of the things I enjoy. 
I had the incredible luck of discovering the opportunity to turn what began as a childhood obsession with drawing and painting, into a dedicated practice of illustration and graphic design.
As I complete my undergraduate education at the School of Art and Design, I've put my creative enthusiasm to good use exploring the intricate world of typography, creating gig posters for local musicians and going on adventures to sketch things I've never seen before. My affinity for jazz music, bizarre dreams and antique trinkets has a tangible presence in my work.
Vinayak Thapliyal
Webmaster
I am a freshman in the College of Engineering at Michigan. I've been interested in Design for a while now and particularly like Website Design. I began to learn basic HTML when I was 13 and over the years have had experience with a variety of programming languages. Currently, I'm also the Website Chair for the Blueprint Literary Magazine. Coming from India, I play a lot of Cricket and Soccer. I'm also a big Ramones fan and play the guitar. Other than that, I like video games, comic books and all kinds of food!
When I was about eleven or twelve I was introduced to the internet, and over the last eight or so years I've taught myself HTML and how to build web sites. Now I'm a third year (senior) LSA student studying English with hopes of pursuing a career in the field of visual communications. I like reading, photography, riding leisurely on my bicycle, tea, and playing Boggle. In eighth grade I was voted "Most Likely to Be a Future Computer Genius."