Recommendations

---

Madlyn Stokely

As Assistant Dean of Students, I worked closely with Li Gardiner for six years in the Division of Student Affairs. I interviewed and hired her  because of her combined experience as a graphic designer and educator, her evident passion for her work, and her willingness to take on multiple roles to contribute to our success.  

As her direct supervisor, I could see how committed she was to help the directors providing student support services—all of whom had different communication needs and served specific student populations they wanted to engage. They came to rely on Li because she enabled them to reach our students more effectively while ensuring that promotion for their events and programs looked professional.

Her strong  design and production skills took our communications to the next level, and her previous experience working with students helped our student outreach succeed. Li also provided editorial oversight of websites. As many offices struggled to update their websites Li initiated refresher courses to retrain directors and their staff in updating their web  pages.

Li was also responsible  for editing and publishing our bi-weekly Hunter Gatherer e-newsletter.  As her responsibilities grew, Li hired a work-study student to help manage the increased workload. This strategy was so successful that she hired and trained several design and editorial assistants every semester  to manage the design, printing, website updates, and editorial  projects.

Li checked in frequently and communicated clearly. She took her responsibilities  seriously and was willing to work long hours to complete essential  projects on deadline. She developed and managed her office's annual budget and assessments and met annual goals on schedule. 

Li worked hard  to solve problems creatively and was always willing to consider a  different approach and take suggestions without taking them personally.

She will be an asset to whomever she works with. I sincerely recommend Li Gardiner for any position that requires creative design and the ability to multi-task. 

Madlyn Stokely

formerly Assistant Dean of Students

Hunter College, CUNY

Abby Torres

I had the pleasure of working with Li Gardiner as my supervisor for eighteen months at Hunter College.

As a design assistant in her office, I was able to see how dedicated she is to her clients. We handled a very large volume of work, designing and printing large-format posters, updating websites, editing copy, building newsletters, and handling commercial printing. Through it all, Li earned our clients' respect because she cared about their success, and her thoughtful suggestions and attention to detail helped them engage students more effectively, while also ensuring that their communications looked professional. In addition, we were able to produce quick turnarounds, keeping the relationships between us and the other departments strong, due to Li's hard work, guidance, and dedication.

Li encouraged me to take my creativity and technical skills to the next level while working on design assignments for internal clients, including creating covers for the Hunter College commencement program. She led by example, and trusted me to field project requests, keep an eye on deadlines, and meet with clients.  I appreciated her enthusiasm and openness when I had ideas or wanted to take more creative liberty. She encouraged me to build my management skills by overseeing three work study students, and I was able to accomplish this with her guidance. This helped increase my confidence in my own work, while also developing my professionalism and office communication skills.

Li also recommended me for a design internship scholarship through Hunter's Office of the Arts and encouraged me to take on freelance projects outside the office, build my portfolio, and look forward to a career in design and communication.

I am happy to recommend Li Gardiner for any creative or educational position as I am confident that she will bring her passion and encouragement to any role she undertakes. 

Sincerely,

Abigail Torres

Senior Instructional Designer 

CUNY Online

 Cristian Gallardo

As Deputy Director of Continuing Education & Special Programs at Hunter College, I am very pleased to be able to offer the following reference.

Ms. Gardiner has worked as an instructor in Continuing Education at Hunter College since Summer 2011. In addition, she has worked as the Continuing Education Coordinator for the Graphic Design Certificate. I’ve very impressed with Ms. Gardiner’s skills as an educator and coordinator.

As an instructor, she was a great asset to our program. Her commitment to her students and creativity in the classroom is super, getting excellent evaluations from her students. As coordinator she did an excellent job in supervising and conducting detailed orientations that supported our existing and new students.

Ms. Gardiner is responsible, has an excellent knowledge of the material she was assigned to teach, and demonstrates interest and professionalism. She works very well with peers and supervisors and is always willing to cooperate. The combination of tenacity, ability, and excellent communications skills found in Ms. Gardiner is truly unique.

Ms. Gardiner was an invaluable resource to me and my department and I believe she would be the same for any organization fortunate enough to hire her.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.*

Sincerely,

Cristian Gallardo

Deputy Director

Continuing Education & Special Programs

Susan de Castro

Li Gardiner worked as an instructor and curriculum developer in the Digital Multimedia Design Program at Touro University from January 2003 to May 2017. As her direct supervisor, I had many opportunities to see her in the classroom and review her work, and have been very impressed with her skills as an educator.

As an instructor, Li was a great asset to our program. She combines ability, industry experience, and excellent communication skills with a deep knowledge of the material she teaches. In the classroom, Li demonstrates both enthusiasm and professionalism. Her commitment to her students brought out their best efforts and as a result she consistently received excellent evaluations. 

As a curriculum developer she did an excellent job of surveying the sequence of courses and evaluating their strengths and weaknesses. She helped us develop course maps and curriculum goals. She revised the course syllabi to streamline the progression of learning outcomes from the basics of visual design to the program goal of a professional student portfolio for all graduates. 

Li works well with both her colleagues and supervisors and is always willing to contribute to the success of the program. She reviewed our curriculum for Middle States, conducting interviews with students, faculty and staff, and contributing a strong report to our review.

I believe that Li Gardiner would be a terrific instructor in any classroom and a valuable resource and colleague in any educational institution.

Sincerely,

Sue de Castro

Program Coordinator, Undergraduate Digital Multimedia Design Program, Touro University

Jesse Epstein

Li Gardiner is one of the most effective and  innovative design instructors I have had the pleasure of working with over my last 35 years in higher education.  

She has an uncanny ability  to reach and teach students from a wide variety of backgrounds and  levels of ability. Using her insights and skills from years of teaching,  she helped develop new courses and guide the evolution of our design  curriculum, always going above and beyond her responsibilities as an  adjunct instructor.  

When I implemented a new Master of Art in Web and  Multimedia Design program, Li was was instrumental in helping shape its  direction and and scope.

Jesse Epstein

Producer/Director, Myah Masie Media

formerly Deputy Chair, Undergraduate Digital   Multimedia Design Program, Touro University

___________

Rebecca Gallagher

Li is a wonderful professor and always brings out the best in her students.

As a creative professional she brings her extensive knowledge of the design industry to her students, giving them all of the tools they need to succeed as design professionals after graduation. She helps them grow their creative problem solving skills, improve their use of software tools and understand how to speak clearly and directly about their own work and the design world overall.

Li would be an asset to any college design department.

Rebecca Gallagher
Director of Production, Funny Garbage
formerly Deputy Chair, Undergraduate Digital Multimedia Design Program

Andy Finnel

I have been a full-time typographer and graphic designer in the advertising industry since 1975, as well as an adjunct graphic design instructor. I worked with Li Gardiner for six years as a fellow instructor in the Digital Multimedia Design program at Touro University. I also worked with her for three years as a fellow adjunct professor in the graphic design certificate at Hunter College Continuing Education Programs. 

Li's extensive background and credentials as an educator, fine artist, and digital artist with hands-on experience in the multifarious graphic arts industries make her uniquely qualified as teacher and mentor for students at the undergraduate and graduate level across all print and Web media. 

Over her years at Touro, Li was an outstanding and versatile instructor, and was instrumental in designing the curriculum for the entire Digital Multimedia Design program, as well as supervising the creation of uniform syllabi for the many courses in the program, and contributing to the success and strengthening of the program. Li taught two to four graphic arts courses every semester, which covered the range of foundation art and design courses as well as courses in all levels of the specific Adobe design applications—Illustrator, lnDesign (QuarkXpress in the early days of the curriculum), and Photoshop—and the portfolio class for graduating seniors. She also supervised and coordinated the faculty reviews of students' portfolio work and resumes.

To say that Li works well with colleagues and supervisors is a gross understatement. She is generous with her time and experience, offering perceptive observations and workable suggestions. As her colleague, I was given many opportunities to discuss the curricula, observe her leadership in the classroom during portfolio reviews, and develop the best individualized approach to ensuring that every one of our students produced a body work that was worthy of their portfolios and our program's highest standards. Many of her students also took my courses, and I was impressed with Li's skills as an educator and her engagement with the students and team teaching. Her commitment to her students brought out their best efforts and a determination to stick with the program over difficult learning curves.  

As a personal example, she spent many hours preparing me for teaching the Business of Graphic Design course, which she created, so that I was able to take over the course. One suggestion that I found invaluable in an advanced print production course was how to explain color separation plates—to draw an analogy between a rubber stamp, which can be used to print one color, and the four-color process printing plates, which can only contain grayscale information but can carry any number of ink colors. After I retired from my full-time graphic arts job, I continued to work on many short- and long-term freelance design projects while teaching. Li has graciously allowed me to consult with her from time to time on both business and graphic design issues. She also recommended me to teach The Business of Graphic Design at Hunter College.  

I believe that Li Gardiner would be a terrific instructor in any classroom, and a valuable colleague on any design team.

Sincerely, 

Andy Finnel

Freelance Web and Print Designer

formerly: Adjunct Professor, Hunter College

Adjunct Professor, Touro University

Graphic Designer, College of Staten Island

Graphic Designer, Type Director, BBDO

Thomas Luehrsen

I worked with Li Gardiner for two years at San Francisco State’s Multimedia Studies Program.

As an instructor, she is well-prepared, articulate about the curriculum, passionate about motivating students, and constructive in her critiques. Her strong design and production skills have provided a springboard for teaching students how to exercise their critical faculties, develop their own ideas, and present their creative work to clients. As a professional, her approach is always guided by offering the best learning experience for the students. I have always been impressed with Li’s sheer excitement when she witnesses genuine progress in a student’s work. She has a knack for eliciting the best possible work from her students. 

As a colleague, Li is very responsible and has always communicated clearly with me. She has a very thorough and well-grounded approach to whatever project she takes on. While designing and co-teaching the Portfolio Development Program, she has been generous with her ideas, and is just as enthusiastic about implementing my own. She has worked hard to creatively solve difficult problems with regard to curriculum development and delivery, and student evaluation. Her skills and extensive experience have been essential to the success of our program. 

I would recommend Li Gardiner for any position or role which requires these skills. 

Thomas Luehrsen

Instructor, Curriculum Developer, San Francisco State University 

Harold Hedelman

Li is an inspiring, hard-working, dedicated  teacher, always willing to go the extra mile for her students. She's  wonderfully creative and a pleasure to work with. Students always gave  her the highest marks, as do I.

Harold Hedelman

formerly Founder, Director of Engagement, Business Climate Leaders, Citizens'​ Climate Lobby

formerly Founder, Director, Center for Electronic Art 

___________

Morgan Kelly

Li is one of the most committed instructors that I have had at the Center for Electronic Art. Her polished experience and shining personality have helped build this school to what it is today. She is not only an inspiration to me but essential to the school environment. I have talked to a number of students who share the same opinion. 

Speaking as a former student counselor, I know that her reputation and influence not only drew certificate students here but also kept them on board during an internal restructuring. She is an outstanding member of the San Francisco art community and an asset that will be difficult to replace.   

Morgan Kelly 

Consultative Sales, Digital Marketing

Director of Sales, Sightly

formerly, Student Counselor, Center for Electronic Art

Lee Marrs

It is with sincere confidence that I recommend Li Gardiner as an accomplished and dedicated instructor. In my role as Animation Chair for the Center for Electronic Art for 3 years, I valued Li as a capable, dependable colleague. Her infectious enthusiasm has infused the learning of countless students — as evidenced in her students’ glowing evaluations, which we routinely examined as respective chairs of our academic programs.

Long before taking on the responsibilities of Print Program Chair, Li’s open-door policy to student concerns enabled her to form a sound basis for her design of that program. Her varied experience in the print media field also gave a practical foundation to the individual courses she created. 

As Dean of Faculty, she initiated CEA’s Faculty Schmoozes, gathering all the school’s instructors, where general concerns and technical expertise could be shared. Since all of CEA’s teachers are freelance, these meetings created valuable links both school-to-instructor and instructor-to-instructor. Her efforts transformed the previous volatility of our instructor pool into a stable group. 

Li also presided over weekly Program Chair meetings where the overall scope of the programs were coordinated to respond to the school’s academic and budgetary parameters. As an active member of CEA’s senior staff, Li spearheaded efforts to formalize school policies.

Her contribution to any learning environment would be enthusiastic, energetic and experienced. 

Lee Marrs

formerly Animation Program Chair, Center for Electronic Art 

Faculty, San Francisco State University 

Faculty, University of California at Berkeley 

Christopher Ambridge

I had the pleasure of working with Li Gardiner for 3 years at the Center for Electronic Art in San Francisco . 

In my tenure as a student, technical intern, and chief contact for the school’s tour operations, Li was an instructor, the Chair of the Print Design Program, a senior staff administrator, and the Dean of Faculty. In these roles she helped formulate school-wide policies consistent with the CEA’s educational, administrative, and outreach goals. On a daily basis she had direct responsibility for developing curriculum, hiring staff, and ensuring the highest standard for the student’s experience. In additions to these roles, as Dean of Faculty, Li also oversaw the functioning of all 5 multimedia programs and their scheduling by coordinating the program chairs and administrative departments.

Li’s performance was consistently exceptional, as she added much value with the level of professionalism, integrity, and productivity she brings to all of the projects and roles she has undertaken. Li is very team-oriented, always willing to support her co-workers and creatively troubleshoot high priority issues. She has an exceptional attention to detail, and always strives for efficiency in managing her workload.

Li has always maintained a very positive outlook and was a key factor in ensuring that the high standards and quality of the CEA’s educational and creative goals were met. As the dot com crash impacted the CEA, her insights and level of professionalism and enthusiasm kept the school on track with its educational and operational missions.

I hope you will consider this account of Li’s performance in your decision to hire her, as she will be a valuable asset to any organization. 

Sincerely, Christopher Ambridge

Freelance Design, San Francisco, CA 

formerly Tour Operations Director, CEA 

Rolf Andersen

I had the distinct pleasure of working with Li Gardiner both as my colleague and my supervisor for the past 2 years at the Center for Electronic Art. Being able to watch Li closely, I know how dedicated she is as an instructor, preparing the students for the transition from the class room to the commercial workplace.

Li has been responsible for developing a strong sense of creativity and professionalism in her students, developing their technical, communication and presentation skills, and focusing student’s attention on building confidence in themselves and their work. Li has been an extraordinarily valuable asset to the Center for Electronic Art from an educational and artistic perspective.

I can without hesitation recommend Li for any creative or educational position in the art and design industry. Her professional attention to detail has created a high standard among the students. Li has earned the respect of her colleagues while instilling a sense of artistic discipline in her students; an essential element for the advancement of their careers.

Rolf

Principal, Rolf Design 

formerly Instructor, Center for Electronic Art