CMU extends commitment to digital literacy with Adobe Digital Lounge

Last fall, Central Michigan University announced a new partnership with Adobe to become an  Adobe Creative Campus. Through the Creative Campus program, Adobe provides all CMU students, faculty and staff with free access to the popular Adobe Creative Cloud software suite including Photoshop, Acrobat, Illustrator and many more.

This fall, to further invest in this program and commitment to digital literacy, the university has created the Adobe Digital Lounge — a state-of-the-art collaboration space in Park Library featuring work areas, help from Adobe suite peer experts and a professional sound recording booth.

The Adobe Digital Lounge opened at the beginning of the fall 2021 semester. CMU Libraries is hosting an open house for the lounge from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27.

CMU Libraries has been a key partner in this program with support through an award from the President's and Provost's Fund for Program Innovation and Excellence. The fund launched in October 2019 to innovate student-focused programs and accelerate strategic transformation.

"In the libraries, we have long focused on information literacy, and it is important that we continue to ramp up digital literacy through capabilities such as these," said Kathy Irwin, dean of University Libraries. "Arming our students, faculty and staff with the Adobe platform allows us to tell stories through innovative, creative forms."

Every current CMU student can access the cloud-based programs, and faculty and staff may request access through the CMU Help Desk. Participants may use the software on up to two devices on and off campus.

To further build literacy in these programs, CMU Libraries is also working to create a network of peer experts throughout the university so colleagues and fellow students may assist one another. Drop-in help with the Adobe platforms is scheduled at posted times Sunday-Friday at the lounge.

"Regardless of your major, subject matter expertise or project at hand, having the ability to communicate your knowledge in an effective and creative way is critical," Irwin said. "We are excited to see how these tools are used around campus to display amazing work."

Adobe partners on this program with select colleges and universities across the country that are committed to teaching digital literacy. In Michigan, CMU is one of only two Adobe Creative Campus institutions.

Learn more about the Adobe Creative Campus program on its website.