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ARDRA VANESSA SPECTOR

WEB OPERATIONS SPECIALIST / GRAPHIC DESIGNER / EDUCATOR
📧 avsspec@gmail.com   🌐 ardravanessa.org

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PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Innovative and versatile digital design professional with extensive experience in web operations, graphic design, higher education, and creative technology instruction. Proven expertise in managing website operations, optimizing digital user experiences, and creating strategic visual communications for academic and corporate environments. Skilled in WordPress administration, ADA compliance, design systems, and cross-functional collaboration. Experienced educator and presenter with a passion for emerging technologies, including AI-driven creative tools, and a strong commitment to inspiring innovation through design and instruction.

 

CORE COMPETENCIES

Web & Design Technologies:
WordPress • Adobe Creative Cloud • HTML/CSS • Microsoft Office • Google Workspace • Wix • Blackboard • SEO • ADA Compliance • Web Analytics

Creative & Professional Skills:
Digital Strategy • Visual Communication • Curriculum Development • Public Speaking • Team Collaboration • Creative Problem Solving • Technical Training • Project Management

 

EDUCATION

Master of Arts in Art and Education
Kean University, Union, NJ | 2005
 

Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ | 2001
 

Associate of Applied Science in Graphic Design
County College of Morris, Randolph, NJ | 1996

 

CERTIFICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

  • 2026 — Presenter, The Intelligent Future: AI Across the Arts & Sciences, Fairleigh Dickinson University
    “Can AI Create Art?”

  • 2026 — Certified in AI Creative Technologies
    ChatGPT • Midjourney • Veo • Stable Diffusion • Claude

  • 2025 — Presenter, Art, Technology, and Activism Now!

  • 2022 — Empathy Training Certification, Fairleigh Dickinson University

  • 2007 — New Jersey Certified Art Teacher

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Fairleigh Dickinson University — Madison, NJ

Web Operations Specialist / Graphic Design Faculty
2019 – Present

  • Manage daily operations, maintenance, and optimization of the FDU WordPress web ecosystem, ensuring performance, accessibility, and content quality.

  • Collaborate with university departments, communications teams, and faculty to strengthen FDU’s digital presence and align web strategy with institutional goals.

  • Provide training and support in WordPress, Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office, SEO, ADA compliance, and analytics tools.

  • Improve online experiences for students, faculty, and staff through strategic content enhancements and technical troubleshooting.

  • Teach undergraduate courses in web design and web development for the Graphic Design Department.

 

Passaic County Community College — Paterson, NJ

Graphic Design Program Coordinator
2014 – 2018

  • Led development of the Graphic Design curriculum, including certificate programs, assessment initiatives, and academic transfer agreements with partner institutions.

  • Coordinated student advisement, internship opportunities, and faculty interviews.

  • Co-chaired the Educational Technology Committee and advised student design organizations.

  • Contributed to increased program enrollment through curriculum innovation and strategic program leadership.

  • Taught courses including Typography, Digital Layout, Advanced Graphic Design, Portfolio Presentation, and Capstone.

 

Berkeley College — Woodland Park & Dover, NJ

Computer Applications Instructor
2014

  • Developed syllabi and delivered instruction in Microsoft Office applications, emphasizing practical workplace skills.

 

DeVry University — North Brunswick & Paramus, NJ

Visiting Professor
2010 – 2016

  • Delivered instruction in graphic design, web development, HTML/CSS, and Adobe Creative Suite.

  • Created curriculum and hands-on learning projects that connected classroom instruction to professional design practice.

  • Guided students in developing technical and conceptual skills for careers in digital design.

 

The Creative Group / Contract Clients

Graphic Designer & Presentation Specialist
2008 – 2014

Designed branded presentations and marketing materials for organizations, including:

  • Prudential

  • NBA

  • Maidenform

  • Tribe Pictures

  • Torre Lazur

  • ICC

Key contributions included:

Animated PowerPoint presentations, Marketing collateral design, Website photography direction, Digital image retouching, Brand-consistent presentation design

 

ADDITIONAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Held faculty and instructor positions at:

  • Chancellor Academy

  • Piscataway Schools Continuing Education

  • County College of Morris

  • Anthem Institute

  • Computer Training Services

  • Middlesex County College

  • Brookdale Community College

  • Kean University

  • Highland Park Academy of Art

Courses taught included:

Graphic Design • Web Design • Animation • Typography • Digital Photography • Jewelry Design • Microsoft Office • Fine Arts

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TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES

Design: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver
Web: WordPress, HTML, CSS, Wix, SEO, ADA Accessibility
Productivity: Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Blackboard
AI Tools: ChatGPT, Midjourney, Veo, Stable Diffusion, Claude

© 2018 Ardra Vanessa Spector

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