"Sparking someone’s curiosity excites me.  If I can help people break through the filter and realize they're creative, it could change the world."
 
"(Journalists) analyze the problem, research, and create road maps.  Then, designers use their visual literacy to turn that road map into a product," said Rausch about her world of design and journalism coming together.

Marilyn Rausch, lecturer, took the road less traveled to find her passion.  Her professional career started in business, systems management and sales.  She worked as a Senior Account Executive for Aldus Corporation and Adobe Systems where she focused on consulting with Fortune 500 companies to provide strategic solutions to creative problems.  While working with her clients she realized her true passion was design.

With a life motto of, "Everything happens for a reason; catch the butterflies." it’s no surprise that when Rausch reached an open door to design, she walked through without hesitation.  That door happened to be in the University's School of Fine Arts where she earned her undergrad in design.

Rausch has since worked as Designer for Hallmark Cards, has taught graphic design classes in the  School of Fine Arts and currently works as a freelance consultant focusing on design thinking, innovation and branding.  The J-School couldn't be a better fit for her because she "has this business avenue.  (She) doesn't just want to create and make--she wants to solve problems.  You have to know the problem and understand why it exists before putting pen to paper. It's always based on writing first."