Students in Ferris State University’s Graphic Media Management program made a powerful impression at the 2025 HP Dscoop Edge Conference in Long Beach, California. A group of eight students led by professor Amela O’Gorman attended the internationally recognized digital print and technology even, leaving with a deep sense of connection, inspiration, and pride.
“The event exceeded all of my expectations,” O’Gorman said. “If there’s one conference I could attend each year, it would be Dscoop. I immediately felt like I had found my people – individuals who are forward-thinking, passionate about the future of print, and eager to invest in the next generation of leaders.” Dscoop is a collaborative environment of HP industrial print and large format users. Dscoop Edge Conferences since 2005 gather the industry to learn how to optimize operations and find growth opportunities in digital print.
Housed within the College of Business, Ferris State’s Graphic Media Management program blends core business coursework in marketing, management, and information systems with hands-on, industry-focused education in print production, packaging, workflow automation, storefront solutions, and more.
This combination prepares students to lead and innovate in the ever-evolving world of graphic communications and digital print.
Students also toured the International Print Museum in Carson, California, an inspiring kickoff for a group of self-proclaimed “print nerds.” They were joined by Kelly Mallozzi of the organization Girls Who Print.
“It was such a fun and energizing moment for the students to meet someone they admire so much,” O’Gorman said. “Kelly’s presence meant a lot, and I truly value her leadership and the time she made for us.”
The conference featured targeted educational sessions, community-building workshops, and keynote speakers that provided insights into emerging technologies and business strategies shaping the future of the print industry.
“As an educator, it was incredibly affirming to see that our curriculum at Ferris aligns so closely with where the industry is headed,” O’Gorman said.
The Ferris students brought both energy and talent to the conference. Several stood out on the main stage:
- Faith Robinson was featured on the student panel, sharing her perspective “reinventing young talent, recruitment, and retention.”
- Emalyn Nelson contributed to the student video project, a roundtable discussion on educational content at Dscoop.
- Tara Seth and Mackenzie Griffin took the stage in front of thousands of attendees to introduce keynote speaker Daymond John of “Shark Tank” fame.
Seth and Griffin are also entrepreneurs, recently launching their own podcast, “Talk More Print,” where they dive into all things print-related from a younger generation’s perspective. Check them out on LinkedIn or YouTube.
“These students each bring unique strengths – from production planning to print sales – and I have no doubt they’ll lead the next wave of change in this industry,” O’Gorman said.
“Imagine walking into a grocery store with no packaging or labels – print is essential to how we navigate the world. Conferences like Dscoop remind us just how creative, relevant, and critical this industry remains,” O’Gorman said.
With renewed excitement, Ferris State looks forward to bringing an even larger group of students to future Dscoop events – continuing to bridge the gap between education and industry.
Pictured above (from left): Professor O’Gorman, Tanner Perkins, Olivia Thomas, Via Kolekamp, Tara Seth, Maggie Lewis, Faith Robinson, Mackenzie Griffin, and Emalyn Nelson.
