Fifty-five students in the West Virginia University College of Creative Arts made up the inaugural cohort for the college’s Creative Consultants program.

The program matches outstanding creative arts students with extraordinary professionals in the fields of art and design, music, theatre, dance, and arts education, administration and industry. Consultants are alumni and friends of the college.

“We’ve heard from both students and Consultants that the mentorship relationships were often some of the brightest moments in this difficult year,” said Mikylah Myers, assistant dean of student artistic achievement. “Students were inspired and motivated by their Consultants, and we heard from our Consultants how good it felt to give back to WVU in such a tangible and often moving way.”

Sarah Stacy, a senior acting major, was paired with consultant Matt Webster, a writer, actor and producer based in New York City. Stacy and Webster met every other week over Zoom and emailed often. 

The pair worked on Stacy’s senior showcase project and Webster helped perfect Stacy’s website and resume.

“Matt has shown me how to market myself,” Stacy said. “He’s showing me how he navigates the professional world, which is so nice. I don’t have anyone in my family that took an artistic track so it’s nice to be able to able to talk to someone who is in the field.” 

Overall, Stacy said the Creative Consultants program is exactly what she needed during her senior year.

“I wanted to talk to people in the world and the industry,” Stacy said. “It’s so nice and comforting to have alumni who have gone through the same program. He has a great perspective working as a professional.”

Applications for next year’s Creative Consultants program will open in August. According to Myers, the college hopes to provide even more opportunity within the program.

“The number one thing we heard from both students and consultants was the desire to be able to meet in person,” Myers said. “We really hope we can make that happen this next year. We are also looking forward to expanding the program to include more consultants and students, and to offer group workshop opportunities for students with several consultants on specific topics related to professional success in the arts.”

For more information on Creative Consultants, visit: https://ccarts.wvu.edu/students/creative-consultant-program