Artist gets into her dream school after studying at HFC
HFC provided the tools and experiences for alumna Olivia Draus (rhymes with “house”) to attend the College for Creative Studies, her dream school.
“I couldn’t afford CCS out of high school,” said Draus, of Detroit. “I’m a first-generation college student who has to pay for her education. I went to HFC in the hopes of transferring to CCS. So things are going according to plan!”
Draus realized HFC was a good choice and allowed for a smooth transition to CCS.
“HFC did an excellent job preparing me for CCS, even though HFC is not a private school. It provided excellent academic and networking opportunities. I found myself flourishing at HFC and I miss it, to be honest,” she explained.
Draus advised students – whether they’re coming directly from high school or returning to academics at a more mature age – to enroll at HFC.
“Even if you think you’re ready for a 4-year college or university, I recommend HFC in terms of cost, flexibility, and learning to grow at a steady pace. HFC is an excellent option,” said Draus. “I really liked how small and intimate the campus is. It was very easy to get to know people. The smaller campus allowed me to see all four corners of it. Everyone carried themselves with respect and humility. Everyone comes from very different, very diverse backgrounds, so there’s a lot less pressure to be a certain way, and everybody’s cool with that.”
Seeing the world from an artistic POV
Born in Dearborn, Draus is an alumna of Edsel Ford High School. She earned her associate degree in graphic design and her Michigan Transfer Agreement from HFC.
Draus is attending CCS on a partial scholarship. She is majoring in interdisciplinary art with a specialization in painting and advertising. She recently added a K-12 teaching certification to her course of study. She plans to complete her bachelor’s degree in 2027. She is also the lead singer in the local emo rock band called Hey Grace! Their first EP, “The Vitruvian Converse,” is available on Spotify and Apple Music.
“I’ve always loved the arts. It’s the only thing that’s really caught my attention for a very long time,” said Draus. “I don’t view the world with a STEM brain. I enjoy science from an artistic standpoint. I’ve always thought very creatively. I also like making things with my hands.”
Her career goal is to become an advertising designer.
“I want to reconfigure what advertising means from the inside, and use it to promote things that I believe in,” she said. “Advertising is an art form.”
Faculty influence was life-changing
One of Draus’ most influential teachers at the College was HFC graphic design instructor Vicki Shepherd.
“She’s one of the kindest and most flexible teachers I’ve ever had,” said Draus. “She was always accommodating and kept me motivated. If I needed an extension, she’d work with me, so I wouldn’t be discouraged and would complete the assignment. She was the one who told me about HFC’s transfer agreement with CCS and helped me organize my classes so I could finish on time and get to CCS on time.”
Shepherd enjoyed having Draus in her class.
“Working with Olivia was interesting, as her unique point of view was evident from day one. In last year’s Honors Day event, she said I encouraged her to think outside of the box,” said Shepherd. “I’d like to think that this was in response to Olivia's process of arriving at solutions when faced with design challenges. That curiosity, confidence, and determination are traits that will take her far in the creative fields. It's good to have students who pause for the expected.”
Showcasing originality and flair, and earning awards
During her time at HFC, Draus was a staff writer for The Mirror News – HFC’s student-run newspaper – and was a member of the Henry Ford II Honors Program. Her artistry was on display for the Student Showcase and the Graduating Student Showcase in the Sisson Art Gallery.
While at The Mirror News, Draus became layout editor and won four awards from the Michigan Community College Press Association (MCCPA).
“These are the first awards I’ve won for my art in college!” she said. “It was very rewarding. I was proud of myself and my peers because I couldn’t do the work I did without the other members of the newspaper staff. We worked as a team and worked hard. They made my life easier. I was proud to earn these awards, but even prouder to have them as a reflection of our staff. I had a lot of fun at The Mirror News. When articles I wrote were published, getting to see the fruits of that made me more motivated to do well.”
HFC English instructor and The Mirror News faculty advisor Dr. Peter Kim is proud of his former student.
“Olivia’s artistic talents were immediately apparent when I first met her, and she quickly rose to become the layout editor for The Mirror News,” said Kim. “She elevated the quality of the paper, helping achieve numerous design awards. Her work has originality and flair, and I admire her independence and drive. Whatever she sets her mind to will be amazing.”