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Two students and a professor from Southern Adventist University’s School of Visual Art and Design (SVAD) were finalists in the rebranding contest launched by Tennessee’s City of Collegedale, which is also home to the university.

Laurissa Mancía, junior graphic design major, won first place and a $2,500 prize on February 17, 2026. Runners up were Joe La Com, MFA, associate professor in SVAD, and Larnell Samuel, senior graphic design major.

Led by Staff Planner Jason Allin, city commissioners and leaders sought a cohesive visual identity that reflected Collegedale’s spirit, history, landmarks, and community values. Contestants were asked to provide a full logo and branding package—designs, mood boards, color palettes, and application mockups—for the competition launched last November and open to all students and residents of the city.

Entries were judged by a panel of city staff, local artists, and community representatives
with an eye toward creativity, originality, relevance to the city’s identity, versatility across print and digital media, and use of color and typography. Mancía’s designs will now be featured across city signage as well as its website, promotional materials, and merchandise.

“It was a difficult choice, but we agreed on one that we felt would best represent our city for years to come,” says Morty Lloyd, mayor of Collegedale. I appreciate the faculty and the caliber of students that Southern produces. Well done!”

When asked about inspiration for her creative process, Mancía said “I probably walked about a marathon across Collegedale trying to get different views of things. I also sat at my table drawing for hours, spending weeks trying to figure out something that wasn’t just traditional [or] expected.”

Mancía learned about the town’s background from Mills McArthur, PhD, a professor in Southern’s History and Political Studies Department who grew up in Collegedale. Her creative process also benefited from a branding class taught by Randy Craven, MFA, adjunct instructor and former dean of SVAD.

Zach Gray, MFA, current dean of SVAD, says his team is “happy to see our students and professors putting their skills to use and getting involved with their local community.”

“We really wanted our new look to be homegrown, and utilizing our local talent made all the difference,” says Tonya Sadler, vice mayor. “The beauty of this logo is that it was born right here in Collegedale. Our local artists have a perspective you just can't outsource. Laurissa brought a level of heart and history to her presentation that resonated with everyone, and that local soul is exactly what makes the final piece so special.”

 

Photos contributed by Laura Mancía

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