Former SCAD Professor Makes his Mark on IC

By PAIGE OUDEKERK ‘22, October 18, 2021

Professor Addona joined the IMC team in fall 2020 and has since made a lasting impact.

Professor Mark Addona is one of the most recent hires at Ithaca College’s Roy H. Park School of Communications all the way from the Savannah College of Art and Design. He serves as an assistant professor in Department of Strategic Communication.

In fall 2020, the Roy H. Park School of Communications welcomed Professor Mark Addona all the way from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia, to the Integrated Marketing Communications program in the Department of Strategic Communication.

Despite the changes invoked by COVID-19, Professor Addona has gained the attention of many on Ithaca College’s campus. Professor Addona serves as an assistant professor for Strategic Communication with specialties in advertising, art direction and emerging technology.

Prior to joining Ithaca College, Professor Addona taught a plethora of classes ranging from production and branding to typography and web design at the Savannah College of Art and Design for five years. During his time at SCAD, he had the opportunity to collaborate with both the industry and students, which he plans on continuing at Ithaca College

Professor Addona received his B.F.A. in graphic design from Syracuse University and later pursued his M.F.A. in graphic design at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Being a graduate of SCAD himself, Professor Addona said goodbye to the south when he joined IC in August 2020.

Mark Addona, assistant professor at the Roy H. Park School, said:“My transition into Park was fairly smooth actually. The classes I taught previously at SCAD gave me a good base to create my classes here at IC. It took some time over last summer to work through the syllabus and create plans for the semester, and I’ll continuously adjust my courses based on feedback. The hardest part of the transition was really COVID-19, not being able to be in Park during fall 2020 and starting someplace new. Everyone has been great and very helpful with any questions I’ve had along the way. This semester has been better getting to meet everyone in person and being back in the classroom.”

Professor Addona’s impact is quite evident as he’s worked his way through his first semester at IC. Being one of the only recent hires in the Roy H. Park School of Communications, Professor Addona is responsible for teaching classes in Advertising Copywriting and Art Direction, Presentation & Graphic Design and Brand Design and Communication Lab. As someone who has worked in the industry prior to joining academia, Professor Addona’s love for the subject has persuaded many to feel the same.

“I took Ad Copywriting and Art Direction and Brand Design and Communication Lab with him as a professor in fall 2020. Before taking those classes, my graphic design skills were very limited, and I wasn’t too confident with using Adobe. Since then, my thoughts toward design took a complete 180-degree turn, and I’m constantly using Adobe for school, my internship and even just for my own personal use. I’m also more motivated to try out new tools and features that will improve my design skills.”

Elizabeth Johnston, IMC major

When asked what his secret was, Mark Addona, assistant professor at the Roy H. Park School, said: “I just try to see how students learn and adjust how I present the content accordingly. The teachers I always learned the best from worked to make the content interesting. I try and do that and relate what we are covering back to real-world experiences. Advertising and design can be hard to learn, especially when you throw in learning programs at the same time. I’m always happy to schedule meetings outside of class.”

Just like every student he has taught, Professor Addona had to start somewhere. Prior to starting his teaching career at SCAD, Addona was an art director/ operations manager with both Electric Lemonade, a digital marketing agency and TYTAN Advertising for 13 years in Savannah, Georgia. In doing so, Professor Addona himself accumulated 40 ADDY awards throughout his career. He even has had the opportunity to work with such national brands as Red Bull and Nike.

Combining both his love for graphic design and passion to teach, Professor Mark Addona has reassured many that contrary to popular belief, it is okay not to know and that we are all capable of something great.