Sam Hayes-Hicks

Digital communication professor

Education

M.F.A., Applied Crafts and Design, Willamette University
B.S., Art: Graphic Design, Portland State University

Credentials

Professor of digital communication, 2025–present, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA

Assistant professor for emerging media and design, 2021–present, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR

Graduate teaching assistant, 2020, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, OR

Graduate teaching assistant, 2020, Portland State University, Portland, OR

Package and apparel designer, 2020, Premier, Portland, OR

Studio designer, 2018–20, Cambia Health Solutions, Portland, OR

Projection mapping and animation workshop instructor, 2019, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, OR

Program graphic designer and audio visual tech, 2018–19, Oregon College of Art & Craft, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, OR

Freelance designer, 2018–19, Slab Town, Portland, OR

Studio Designer, 2018, WebMD, Portland, OR

Web designer and project manager, 2013–19, Coast Real Estate Services, Portland, OR

Awards, recognitions, and honors

Peak Advisor of the year, "For service as a Peak Advisor," 2025
President's Award, "Service Excellence," 2024
College of the Arts Service award, 2023
Key to the city, "Community Inclusion & Service," 2023

Organizations

SOU Faculty Senate Member & Secretary, 2022–present
Advisory Council, 2024–present
SOU SMART Committee, 2022–present
SOU By-Laws Committee, 2022–23
Graduate Diversity & Inclusion Officer, 2019–20

Publications and presentations

Exhibitions

Solo Show – Coded Joy, Fringe Festival, 2024
Solo Show & Talk – Intelligent Life (AI Lecture & Artist Talk), 2023
Agenda PDX – Solo Show – Portals, 2021
Punchline – Online Group Exhibition, 2019
Digitized Perspectives – Group Exhibition Glass Bison – Group Exhibition Portland Winter Lights Festival No Budget Too Small – Internationally Curated Group Exhibition

Publications and lectures

Published Author "Creativity & Conflict" Taylor & Francis Group, 2025
Creativity Conference: Ai discussion, Ai in Design & Design education, Creativity Conference speaker and panel member, 2024
Meta product testing for latest AI interface in VR Products, 2024
Developing AI tutor labs for design students, 2024