Inspiring Graduate: Bex Cermin, M.F.A. Design

Inspiring Graduate: Bex Cermin (’26)

• Hometown: St. Croix Falls
• Degree: M.F.A. Design

Bex Cermin has been interested in fashion design for as long as she can remember. “I still have sketches I drew when I was six. My love for fashion design is at the core of who I am,” she said.

This passion led Cermin to earn her B.S in apparel, merchandising and design at Iowa State University, where she specialized in creative design, particularly digital print development and collection conceptualization.

After receiving her undergraduate degree, Cermin was interested in continuing her academic journey. Several friends and family members of hers have thrived at UW-Stout, which led her to explore its cross-disciplinary M.F.A. in design. 

“For four years, I have mastered a range of creative disciplines and have become an expert in specialized areas of design problem-solving and leadership,” she said. “During my time as a student, I had a wonderful opportunity to teach for the undergraduate fashion design and development program at UW-Stout.”

Cermin earned her M.F.A. in design from UW-Stout on May 16, among more than 1,000 of her peers. She plans to continue with academic teaching and leadership.

“I feel that the MFA in design program has prepared me as an artist and designer to be an entrepreneur, which will be an exciting next step,” she said. “This experience has been about more than earning a degree — it has been about growth, both personally and creatively. I’m leaving with a clearer understanding of my voice as a designer and a stronger sense of purpose in the work I want to pursue. I’m grateful for the support I’ve received along the way and excited to continue building work that is intentional, meaningful and rooted in real human experience.”

Of this year’s graduates, 77.4% were hired prior to graduation, while 99% of recent graduates were employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation.

How do you hope to make an impact in your field?

I want to contribute to a more thoughtful, human-centered approach to design — one that values experience, curiosity and emotional connection as much as visual outcome. I hope to expand how we define meaningful design by creating work that goes beyond aesthetics and engages people on a deeper emotional and sensory level.

How has UW-Stout prepared you to work in your field?

UW-Stout gave me the space to truly explore — something often limited in industry settings, where timelines and outcomes are more rigid. Graduate school allowed me to ask deeper questions, experiment with materials and processes, and follow ideas further than I would have otherwise.

What stands out about your UW-Stout experience?

The School of Art and Design fosters an environment that is both supportive and challenging in the best way. Faculty are approachable, invested, and genuinely care about student growth — not just academically, but as designers and individuals. They create a space where ideas can be pushed, refined and taken seriously. That level of mentorship and encouragement had a lasting impact on my experience and the work I produced.

How did your involvement impact your experience? 

I was honored to receive the Graduate Researcher in Design award in 2025, which was a meaningful milestone in my academic career. The work recognized was rooted in emotional and tactile research, which I translated into a seven-piece apparel collection.

I was also among the 36 featured designers at the 2024 Omaha Fashion Week. It’s the fourth-largest fashion week in the U.S. I featured my nature-inspired collection to more than 10,000 people.

What challenges did you face in earning your degree, and how did you overcome them?

During my four years in school, I had two children back-to-back while also teaching full-time and building a home with my family. While that sounds like a list of challenges, I don’t necessarily view it that way. Those experiences shaped me into a more focused, disciplined and motivated student. Becoming a mother, in particular, changed how I approached time and priorities. I learned how to be intentional with every hour. Many days started at 4 or 4:30 in the morning, so I could dedicate time to my school before the day began. I would teach, attend classes, care for my family and return to my schoolwork late at night. 

It was demanding, but it was also deeply meaningful. I loved the process of learning and creating, and I stayed committed because I believed it would lead to something worthwhile — not just for me, but for my family as well.

What are you most proud of as you finish your degree?

While I’ve gained a great deal of knowledge and skill throughout this program, what I’m most proud of is the resilience I’ve built along the way. This experience showed me how far I can push myself, how to stay committed through uncertainty and how to continue moving forward even when things feel overwhelming. That ability to persevere is something I’ll carry with me far beyond this degree.