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Get a head start on your college journey with our term starting on May 23rd! Set your intention this summer with the help of Siba's nurturing classrooms, 9-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio, and career-focused studies. Siba is where the art of business meets the business of art. Our programs include Business Administration, Graphic Design, Interior Design, and Fashion Development & Merchandising.

We're enrolling now for day and evening classes for our Bachelor's and Associate of Applied Science degrees. Contact a member of our Admissions team to get started or book your visit online. We can't wait to meet you!

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Standing out and evolution are two mainstays of the fashion industry. Both seem to come naturally to Siba alumna, AK Brown. The 2014 graduate of Siba’s Retail Management/Fashion Merchandising program (now called Fashion Development & Merchandising) has built a business on how to develop, transform, and thrive in the fashion world. Now, she’s using her expertise to create a platform for black fashion professionals to collaborate and grow through Black in St. Louis Fashion.

As founder and President of Black in St. Louis Fashion, AK aims to bring much-needed visibility to members of the black fashion community, as well as provide a place where members can network. The group’s social media  features profiles of movers and shakers in the fashion community, and the group hosts periodic social events. This year, they’re focused on expanding their grant program and they are working toward launching a fully-developed business accelerator within the next 1-2 years.  

To commemorate their work, Black in St. Louis Fashion, now in its second year, commissioned a new editorial inspired by last year’s success, “I started the original editorial [in 2021] because there was and still is a lack of visibility for Black fashion creatives and professionals in St. Louis, and I'm a big proponent of ‘If you're going to complain about something, be in a position to change it.’ So I did.”

That initiative is a common thread in everything AK does – including building her business. Creating an enterprise out of her unique blend of interests and expertise, AK helps individuals in the fashion industry flourish as “The Fashion Connector.” “The goal with my platform is to share my knowledge on a variety of topics including blogging/influencing, product development, fashion public relations, branding, and styling, while also giving space to other creatives who have authority in our industry as well. I have my own stylist & fashion academy where I teach students how to start a successful styling career from start to finish, and the basics of product development.”

Since entering into the workforce – as a business owner and an employee, AK has arrived at what she considers a perfect balance in her professional life. “You don't have to solely work for yourself to have your own business. Even as an entrepreneur, I am still working on myself as a professional and making the transition into tech, so I can have a steady and comfortable income while investing that money into my business.”

For Siba students looking to work for themselves - whether it be fashion promotion, fashion marketing, visual merchandising, or designing, AK suggests getting a solid understanding of some business practices as well. “For those who want to become a fashion entrepreneur, a solid business foundation is just as important as creativity. A lot of [designers] may feel like their designs are so good, that they're going to become instant sensations overnight, and that's rarely (if ever) the case. I recommend taking some basic business courses or to invest in a business mentor to build an enterprise that will survive.”

For this woman of many talents, there’s always a project on the horizon. In addition to her work as The Fashion Connector, AK has a quarterly magazine set to launch in the Spring of 2022. This year she also wants to continue expanding her brand and booking speaking engagements. Always with an eye on what’s next, the future looks bright for AK. Her commitment to the fashion industry and her hometown of St. Louis is something to appreciate and emulate. “I plan to really get back out there and promote all the things I love in fashion - great personal style, community, fashion connections, and promoting St. Louis in the process.” We are extremely proud of AK and applaud all of her endeavors!

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The New Year is about new starts and fresh outlooks.  Join us for the term beginning January 3rd and beyond.

Our nurturing classrooms, engaged instructors, and hands-on experiences will help define your path to a career you love. Contact one of our Admissions Representatives today, set up your tour, or give us a call to get started. We can’t wait to meet you!!!

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When opportunity knocks, Amani Miller answers! During her very first year as a Siba interior design student, Miller has embraced multiple opportunities to expand her knowledge and contacts in the St. Louis regional design community: 1) she participated in an internship at KDR Designer Showrooms where she mastered the management of their extensive textiles library; and 2) she stepped up to assume the role of President of Siba’s American Society of Interior Designer (ASID) student organization.

Most recently, Miller has added the title of Student Representative for ASID Missouri East to her list of achievements - representing the student component of the organization for the entire region. The new role earned her the invitation to travel to Washington, DC, to attend ASID’s annual student summit known as SCALE. Miller was thrilled to meet other interior design students from across the country and share information about their different classes, projects and goals.

“It was good to see what other students from all over the nation were doing – see what they were learning, as well as what kind of challenges they were facing. I gained friendships, professional contacts, and grew my base of experience.”

In addition to getting to know her peers, Miller networked with interior design professionals already in the field and made connections with designers in cities across the U.S. She hopes to renew and further these relationships when she and her Siba classmates next visit Chicago for NeoCon, the annual tradeshow for Interior Designers.

The D.C. summit also featured influential speakers that broadened Miller’s perspective on the role of design to improve and enhance the sense of community. She was particularly impressed by a presentation from Kia Weatherspoon, President of DC-based Determined by Design.

“Kia’s company advocates for equity in access to design. Their mission states that architects and designers can create with empathy and develop thoughtful concepts to unite communities. Their efforts to eliminate the labels of “affordable,” “high-end,” “black,” and “white” and level the playing field really resonated with me.”

In addition to making influential contacts in her the interior design field, Miller also received valuable feedback on how to build an outstanding portfolio and practical advice on how to achieve a healthy work/school/life balance. (Miller is a mother and wife, too!).

“My favorite part of the trip were the memories I created with other members of the committee. I developed diverse friendships and mentorships that I will cherish. The walks, scooter rides, and Ubers we shared while talking about how we chose interior design as a career are times I won’t forget.”

Miller’s role as student rep for ASID Missouri East isn’t all travel, though! Her responsibilities back home include serving as a mentor to other aspiring interior designers, networking with established professionals, and achieving growth within the ASID community. She looks forward to getting to know other students in the region, and collaborating on ideas on how to make the field of interior design work in both traditional and new career pathways.

You can connect with Amani Miller on her social media via LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.

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Jack Petee arrived at Siba ready to soak up all the college had to offer. When he graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration last year, he left a lasting impression on his fellow students as well as faculty and staff. Jack’s leadership, desire to be involved, and unwavering positive attitude (more than evident in his responses below) are attributes that made him a standout on campus. Add to the list that Jack graduated at the top of his class in the midst of a global pandemic, and it’s no surprise we want to see what he’s accomplished in the short time since entering the professional world! We recently caught up with the alum to reflect on his experiences as a Siba student and to see what he’s been up to since graduation.

How did you initially find Siba? What appealed to you about the school?

When I was looking at colleges and programs, I knew that the traditional four-year university wasn’t the best option for my style of learning. I wanted something more intimate, personal, and preferably accelerated. I toured some community colleges before eventually heading to the internet to find local programs. Siba popped up and I liked the website enough that I decided to tour. Within one minute of walking in the lobby and feeling the “vibe,” I knew I wanted to attend.

What were some of your favorite classes or projects at Siba?

My favorite classes at Siba were the ones that directly related to real-life activities. I thoroughly enjoyed the classes like Business Communications and Professional Protocol where the main intention is teaching you to be a strong presence in the workplace in terms of how you speak, both in-person and email, and how to behave in certain situations. 

Any fond memories you’d like to share?

My favorite memories of attending Siba are the interactions that I had in the Commons. Being a smaller school, you’ll quickly recognize everyone’s faces and learn their names. I loved being Student Government President and getting the opportunity to plan events and fundraisers that helped facilitate the warm environment of the school.

You’re working at TD Ameritrade now. How did you find your job? What was the interview and onboarding process like?

I was actively hunting for any jobs that looked interesting to me on both Indeed and LinkedIn. Eventually, I found the TD Ameritrade job on Indeed and promptly applied. There was an initial phone screening in which I was asked to talk through my resume, and then explained the core duties of the job. After being deemed a good candidate I was then invited to do a video interview. I was very grateful that I had the interview prep class at Siba online as it made me a lot more confident in the digital aspect of interviewing.

Do you feel your degree at Siba helped you prepare you for your position?

Yes. The beauty of the Business Administration degree is that you get a base level understanding of a wide variety of industries. When attending Siba, I was almost certain I would work in Project Management or Real Estate, but I’ve now ended up in Finance and I’m loving it. Having the intro to each industry was beneficial as I had an idea what the job would involve while interviewing with different companies.

Any tips for other Siba Business students looking to work for a company like this?

At some point you will be asked to list five strengths of yours. Knowing your strengths not only gives them an idea of who you are, but also gives you confidence going into interviews. A helpful hint I learned is that your strengths don’t have to be measurable skills. My top two are Relatedness and Enthusiasm which are attractive qualities for any people-related-role.

You recently graduated. What advice would you give to students just starting in the program?

I coined the phrase “passing is a team sport” while in classes as I truly believe it’s the best mindset. Everyone in the building wants you to succeed, so if you’re ever struggling, reach out to your teachers and classmates. No one wants you to fail.

What makes you proud?

There is a photograph of me sprawled out on the floor outside of the computer lab stressing about finals. Looking back, I would say I’m proud that all of the hard work paid off as I am quite pleased with the life I am living and the opportunities I am discovering. That being said, if you ever find yourself on the floor outside the computer lab… take a deep breath, look at that list you made of your strengths/things you like about yourself, remind yourself you’re amazing, and carry on. It’s hard work, but it’s worth it!

Great advice from a student who’s been there! While Jack would love to one day get involved in politics or higher education, for the moment he’s motivated to prove himself in his new position at TD Ameritrade. Always happy to connect with new and former students, Jack can be reached on LinkedIn or on his Instagram @thejackryan01.

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It's not too late to get started on your educational journey in 2021. Learn about Siba's nurturing classrooms, commitment to hands-on education, and accelerated degree options by reaching out to our Admissions team today. Classes start on October 11th for the Fall 2 term. We can't wait to hear from you!

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With so many paths to choose from after graduation, we love seeing how graduates leverage their Fashion Development & Merchandising degrees when seeking their first “real job.” For alumna Danielle Calcara, her path led to a global fashion design and manufacturing company headquartered right here in St. Louis, Stars Design Group.

Stars partners with Siba to empower students with hands-on internships and other opportunities to explore the fashion industry. An internship is exactly what helped Calcara get her foot in the door: “I reached out to my awesome mentor and fashion department head, Lynne Wasson, and told her that I would love the opportunity to work at Stars. She reached out to Stars and shared my resume. I went through two interviews and started as an intern before being offered a permanent position as merchandiser.”

In her role as fashion merchandiser, Calcara acts as a liaison between product development, the art department, the factory, and her clients. “I love that I get to work with a vast array of textiles and the newest fabric developments on the market. And the amount of industry experience among my bosses and coworkers is amazing; I feel very blessed to work at a company with so much talent, intelligence, and experience in the industry.”

Although she continues to learn something new every day at Stars, Calcara also credits her time at Siba for helping to prepare her for the position. One area of study that turned out to be surprisingly instructive was learning all of the terminology used in the fashion industry. “It seems like something so small, but it really is its own language which anyone working in the industry should know how to speak fluently.”

Calcara’s path to a dream career was not a straight one. After spending 10 years working in a different field, she took a leap of faith when she enrolled in Siba’s fashion program. “Going back to college at the age of 27, then becoming employed at Stars Design Group—these are achievements that I am very proud of and prove that no matter how old you are, if you have passion and dedication, anything is possible!”

Other accomplishments that Calcara is proud of: graduating with a 4.0 GPA while becoming a first-time mom to her daughter. We at Siba know that list of accomplishments is likely to grow as Calcara continues to make her mark on the fashion industry here in St. Louis or perhaps…New York? “Maybe one day—I never say never!”

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By 2020 graduate, Kirsi Cushing

What was I doing? Was this an actual possibility, or a spur of the moment decision brought on by my frustration? Honestly, it was probably a little bit of both, but something felt right about it all, like this is where I needed to go, this was what I needed to do to find out once and for all, what I was meant to do with this creativity running through me.

When I stepped inside Stevens Institute for the first time, I felt a sense of belonging flood over me. It felt like a place that wanted it’s students not only to work hard and learn material, but thrive as they refined their skills. I felt all the more inspired as the tour continued on, and by its end, there was something deep down within me that knew, this was where I needed to be.

The rest is history. The next three years proved to be some of the most challenging, and yet most incredibly purposeful years of my life. I was brought to my breaking point, faced difficulties and curveballs I was not anticipating, but with each one, I became stronger and more certain that I was no longer an artist without a niche, but a designer with the goal of creating livable artwork through the medium of interior spaces.

I would not trade my experience at Stevens Institute for anything, because it gave me a sturdy foundation, reinforced by the challenges I faced along the way, and now, it is more than ready to be built upon as I journey into the mysterious post-grad years before me. It took a wrong turn, a leap of faith, and a 3 year journey at a college that allowed me to thrive and grow, but now I know, without a doubt in my mind, I am meant to be in this field, I am an Interior Designer.

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With five start dates in 2021, you can pick the best time to get started with a degree program you're passionate about. See when our terms begin and schedule your tour today.

Spring 1 | January 4, 2021
Spring 2 | March 15, 2021
Summer | May 24, 2021
Fall 1 | August 2, 2021
Fall 2 | October 11, 2021

Ready to set up your in-person or vitural tour? Or do you have questions about what Siba has to offer? Contact us today to learn more. We're excited to meet you!

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We're enrolling now for our Fall 1 term! Join us August 3rd and take advantage of Siba's hands-on programs and nuturing educational envrionrment. The deadline to apply is July 23rd.
Contact an admissions representative to learn more, or submit an application on our website to get started!

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Being stuck at home doesn’t mean you have to be stuck in a rut. If you’ve been thinking about pursuing one of Siba’s hands-on programs, but haven’t had a chance to check out our campus, there’s never been a better time to reach out. Schedule a virtual tour to meet with an admissions representaive one-on-one, and explore the campus floor-by-floor. See how students utilize our labs and classrooms, learn how you can benefit from our programs, and find out how to get your application submitted. All you need is your computer or smart phone. We’re enrolling now for our Summer and Fall terms. We’d love to meet you! Click here to contact an admissions representive.

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We're enrolling now for our term starting on May 26th. Learn more by contacting us today!

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