Campus Feature
Rice Award Winner Erin Zerbe Mixes Style with Substance
On campus , she is simply known as “ Z .”
And that is just fine with Siena Heights University Assistant Professor of Art Erin Zerbe .
“ It ’ s one of those nicknames that evolved organically and became what it is ,” she said . “ It ’ s kind of built a little bit of a persona around it . I like that . It ’ s fun . It allows me to come in and get right into work mode . When I am at work , I am ‘ Z .’”
She may show up to class in a superhero costume to co-teach an animation and creative writing course on comic books . Or she may use a wild array of hair color and fashion to make a statement . However , despite establishing her unique persona , her efforts in the classroom are what endeared her to her students as the recipient of the 2016 Eileen Rice Award for Outstanding Teaching .
“ For me , winning the award was this culmination of a lifetime of work ,” said Zerbe , who came to Siena Heights in 2012 , her first full-time faculty position . “ I dedicated myself not only to being an artist , but to being an educator .”
Zerbe tried the artist path early in her career . After finishing her undergraduate degree at Virginia Commonwealth University , she took a job in the corporate world creating digital online content for the web and social media .
“ I was miserable ,” she said of the experience . “ I just couldn ’ t figure out why . I was doing something creative , and I enjoyed creating it , but I was exhausted and frustrated all the time .”
She quit her job and returned to graduate school . After receiving her Master of Fine Arts degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2011 , Zerbe took an adjunct teaching position at VCU . However , it was only temporary , and when she saw a full-time opening at Siena Heights , she applied .
8 | Reflections Fall ’ 16