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December 18, 2025
By Mike Winder
Work images courtesy of Josephine Zazueta

Artcenter’s Student Leadership Award Winner Goes To Josephine Zazueta, A Fine Art Student Who Made Sure “Everyone Felt Seen”

To help fulfill its vision of educating artists and designers who are leaders both within their professional fields and in their communities, at each graduation ceremony ArtCenter College of Design presents a Student Leadership Award to a graduating student.

Described by her peers as “hardworking, passionate and kind-hearted,” Fine Art student and Fall 2025 Student Leadership Award winner Josephine Zazueta managed the Herculean task of balancing a busy academic schedule with the duties of being a single parent.

On top of all that, she still found time to welcome new students as an Orientation Leader and to advocate for her peers as Fine Art’s student government representative.

“What surprised me most was the fulfillment I got from helping others,” said Zazueta, in a personal statement for the award.

Based on recommendations from faculty, staff and students, the Student Leadership Award recognizes a student who has provided leadership through participation in ArtCenter’s campus life, community outreach, student organizations and department initiatives.  

For the Spring 2025 term, Zazueta organized Introductions, an exhibition for lower term Fine Art students to present their work to the larger community. At this event where “everyone felt seen,” Zazueta said seeing the obvious pride on the faces of the students’ families made the event take on a much larger meaning.

“Community requires you to show up for others,” said Zazueta. “And, as I’ve found, when you do, it shows up for you.”