Amanda J. Earnest-Reitmann, M.F.A.
Amanda J. Earnest-Reitmann is a Web Developer/Designer for the Office of Marketing at Wright State University, a public research university in Dayton, Ohio, named after the Wright brothers.
Amanda joined Wright State University in 2015. Prior to Wright State, Amanda worked for the University of Cincinnati Foundation from 2013 to 2015, and Auburn University College of Education from 2006 to 2012. She’s been in the field of higher education marketing and branding, specifically print and web design, for 15+ years.
Amanda received her bachelor’s degree in art (graphic design) with a music minor from Morehead State University in 2005. In 2014, she received her Master of Fine Arts degree in graphic design from Savannah College of Art and Design. Her thesis was based on medical sharps waste and explores how a cross-collaboration effort would reduce the impact of improper disposal.
While a student at Morehead State, Amanda had the opportunity to work as a student graphic designer for the Office of Communications and Marketing. She caught the higher education marketing and branding “bug”, and has worked in that field ever since. Amanda has received publication awards from CASE V, the Public Relations Council of Alabama, and the Southern Public Relations Federation among internal staff awards.
Amanda’s other professional interests and talents include user experience (UX), mobile, and email design; environmental design (displays, banners, wayfinding, and interactive design); and videography such as text animation and titles. Amanda plans to eventually teach as adjunct faculty in a graphic design program.
Amanda is quite involved with UCDA, the University and College Designers Association, and is currently on the Board of Directors and the Foundation Board of Directors. She has served as a conference volunteer for many years, was co-chair and then chair for the UCDA Design Summit in 2015 and 2016, and was co-chair and chair for the UCDA Design Competition in 2018 and 2019. She also currently serves as an advisory board member for Mini University - Wright State University Child Development Center. In addition, Amanda has been a volunteer for the Humane Society of Greater Dayton, a director for the handbell choirs at Union Christian Church (Alabama), and a counselor for Kentucky Girls State hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary. She is a lifetime member of Girl Scouts of the USA and Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity.
Amanda is married to Jonathan Reitmann, who is a software engineer for Tyler Technologies, a national software company. Amanda and Jonathan first met as acquaintances at Morehead State University in 2003 (through mutual friends), but reconnected in 2013 when Amanda moved to Ohio. In November 2020, they welcomed their son, Carter.
Experience
2015 - current: Web Developer/Designer @ Wright State University Office of Marketing
2013 - 2015: Assistant Director/Graphic Designer, Creative Services @ The University of Cincinnati Foundation
2006 - 2012: Specialist, Art Design @ Auburn University College of Education
2005: Staff Assistant (Graphic Designer)/Graduate Assistant @ Morehead State University
Education History
Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Graphic Design, 2014
Savannah College of Art and Design
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Art (Graphic Design) + Music Minor, 2005
Morehead State University
Teaching
Co-guest lecturer
lighting design class (one session)
web design principles and creation
January 2016
Wright State University
Guest panelist
discussion included brainstorming recruitment t-shirt ideas, messaging on shirts, and keeping materials legal and in-brand
January 2015
Marketing Our Brand: Phi Sigma Pi Roundtable
Graduate Teaching Assistant
graphic design intro course (Vector and Raster Graphics)
Spring Quarter 2014
Savannah College of Art and Design
Guest critiquer
Motion media design and information graphics classes (four sessions)
Spring 2014
University of Cincinnati | College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning
also observed teaching techniques
Student Employee Supervisor
Supervised and mentored student employees in graphic design student position
Auburn University College of Education
2006 - 2012
Research Statement
Master of Fine Art (Graphic Design) Thesis:
Medical Sharps Waste: A Cross-Collaboration Effort to Reduce the Impact of Improper Disposal
May 2014
ABSTRACT: 7.5 billion needles and syringes are used outside the healthcare system annually in households by individuals with allergies, migraines, diabetes, infertility, arthritis, IV, hepatitis, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, psoriasis, and other ailments. As there is limited regulation of home-generated medical waste in the United States, patients may be disposing their used sharps improperly, creating risk for those who are subsequently exposed. A social, environmental, and economic solution is necessary, which could be achieved through collaboration and the combination of problem-solving methods in the field of graphic design, and the involvement of the medical, pharmaceutical, and waste industries. With a unified response from the medical and waste management industries and graphic design, the current issue of home medical waste disposal can be addressed using a sustainable solution.
Professional Affiliations/Memberships
University and College Designers Association (UCDA)
- Board Member (Director), Board of Directors (2020-2024)
- Board Member (Director), Foundation Board of Directors (2023-2025)
- Chair, UCDA Design Competition (2019)
- Co-Chair, UCDA Design Competition (2018)
- Chair, UCDA Design Summit (2016)
- Co-chair, UCDA Design Summit (2015)
- Conference volunteer, 2008-2015
- co-hosted "The Team Workshop" with Clemson University and Georgia Tech, 2012, Atlanta, Georgia (regional)
Lifetime Member
Girl Scouts of the USA
Lifetime Member
Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity
Service
Mini University—Wright State University Child Development Center
Advisory Board Member
2022–current
Volunteer
Humane Society of Greater Dayton
2017
Handbell Director
Union Christian Church
2009 – 2012
Counselor
Kentucky Girls State
2001–2003, 2005–2009
Awards/Recognition
Award of Excellence - Other Photography (Raider Athletic History)
UCDA Design Awards
August 2023
joint award with Office of Marketing Photography Team (photo produced for Spring 2023 Wright State Magazine Cover)
Honorable Mention - Best Redesign (Admit Kit)
UCDA Design Awards
August 2023
Gold Award - Booklets, Larger than 6x9 (Senior Inquiry Booklet)
Graphic Media Alliance (Print Excellence Awards)
March 2023
joint award with Think Patented (printer)
Gold Award - Brochures/Catalog Sheets, Single Sheet (Raider Up! Hands Brochure)
Graphic Media Alliance (Print Excellence Awards)
March 2023
joint award with Think Patented (printer)
Gold Award - Direct Mail (Traditions Mailing)
Graphic Media Alliance (Print Excellence Awards)
March 2023
joint award with Think Patented (printer)
Gold Award - Direct Mail (Transfer Student Engagement & Support Mailer)
Graphic Media Alliance (Print Excellence Awards)
March 2023
joint award with Think Patented (printer)
Gold Award - Brochures, Multi-Page (2021 Inquiry Book)
Graphic Media Alliance (Print Excellence Awards)
March 2022
joint award with Think Patented (printer)
Gold Award - Brochures/Catalog Sheets, Single Sheet (Raider Up! Hands Brochure)
Graphic Media Alliance (Print Excellence Awards)
March 2022
joint award with Think Patented (printer)
Bronze Award - Best Annual Report - Transcend
Pride of CASE V Awards
November 2015
Medallion Awards - Award of Excellence - Keystone Magazine
Public Relations Council of Alabama
2013
Award of Excellence - Keystone Magazine
Southern Public Relations Federation
2009
Certificate of Merit - Keystone Magazine
Public Relations Council of Alabama
2009
Medallion Awards - Award of Excellence - Keystone Magazine
Public Relations Council of Alabama
2007
Award of Excellence - Keystone Magazine
Southern Public Relations Federation
2007
