April 14, 2021
Joey Strain
Berks County native Joey Strain is a Communication Design student at Kutztown University, graduating in 2022.
Kutztown University student Joey Strain has lived out his dream of being a children’s book illustrator, and he hasn’t even graduated yet.
While discussing an essay with his freshman-year English Composition professor, Strain shared his goal of illustrating children’s books. As luck would have it, the professor, Dr. Curtis Herr, was looking for an illustrator for a children’s book he was writing at the time. Herr asked for samples of Strain’s illustration work, and now the duo has published The Little Wolf Who Crooned to the Moon.
Joey Strain's magical illustrations gave a layer to my children's book that I never expected. Fantastical and heartwarming, they capture true celebration in explosive colors that highlight the magical and the intimate at the same time. It's no wonder that after one look, my publisher offered him a contract right away.
Dr. Curtis HerrIt’s All About the People
How does a college student achieve such lofty goals? According to Strain, it’s all about the people he’s met along the way. Building relationships has been an important part of his success.
“Professors who have taken the time to meet with me and provide constructive feedback have really been the most important for furthering me along the way. They have taken the time to work with me and be personable,” Strain said.
In addition to building relationships, Strain has found success by living with an open mind and an eye to the future.
“I feel like it’s really important for people to put yourself out there and realize that whatever you’re trying to do can be done,” Strain said. “You can get a head start even before you leave college. Whether it’s with internships or just kind of finding your own way, don’t feel like your career is such a faraway thing. It’s closer to reach than you think.”
Choosing College
For artists, choosing between pursuing a degree or pursuing an art career without a degree can be difficult.
“It was a tough decision, but it really came down to two factors: relationships and depth of knowledge,” Strain said. “Surviving in a world of art is all about building relationships and connections with people. Beyond that, the education has been really important. The knowledge available here is much more worthwhile than what you’re able to just read online. Teaching yourself online just isn’t the same as experiencing an education through a real human being who has done this for years and has really valuable information to share.”
When choosing a college, Strain looked at many schools in both urban and rural environments. Cities can be great places for artists to set up shop, but Strain has found peace in the farmland of Kutztown.
“A city is a really busy, bustling kind of environment, but out here in Kutztown, there’s space to go on your own and think about things and focus on yourself. There’s more time for meditation, remediation in a way,” Strain said.
Kutztown University has really grown me. If I look back at myself before coming here, before freshman year, I was a lot more lost and a lot more unsure of what I wanted to do. But going here, and meeting the people that I’ve met, and experiencing art in this particular place, has furthered me as a human being for sure, but I’ve also homed in on knowing that no matter what, I’m trying to focus on this career in illustration.
Joey StrainIn addition to the setting, Strain was attracted to KU because of the community.
“I’d say ‘down to earth’ is really the key experience I’ve had here. Everybody here is down to earth and friendly. It almost feels like living in a neighborhood in a way, living here. It’s a different feel than the other schools that I went to and it’s just more inviting, more personable.”
You can see more of Strain’s work on his website and Instagram. He also has books and prints available for sale on his Etsy shop.
By Margaret Gehman '22, Web Content Writer
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This 2019 graduate is on her way to a pediatric residency after completing med school.
Meet Kutztown University student Victoria Fischer, studying Cinema, Television and Media Production
Meet Kutztown University student Sylvannah Gulley, a Library Science major.
Meet Kutztown University student Nicholas Coppolino, a Business Administration/Entrepreneurship major.
Student spotlight alert! Meet Eva Labram. She is a Professional Writing major at Kutztown University. Learn more about her education journey here.
Audrey Zimmerman co-owns the oldest children's shoe company in America.
This 2014 graduate is practicing the art of dentistry.
Kutztown alum graduates from prestigious FBI National Academy.
Traveling to the brink of volcanoes.
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Laying the Groundwork for a Better Future
Alumnus strives to empower everyday people to solve their money challenges.
The Blues and Rock Ensemble at Kutztown University will make you get out of your seat and dance - and applaud this award-winning group.
READ FULL STORYAfter graduation, Heather Browne '16 moved back to the Baltimore area, where she is now a first-grade teacher at the Maryland School for the Blind.
READ FULL STORYTwo years after graduating in 2009, Clay created his first fantasy football website. By 2016, ESPN came calling.
READ FULL STORYNessa Cartagena of Bethlehem, Pa., was awarded the 2018 Enlightened Leadership Scholarship to attend KU and majors in finance and personal financial planning.
READ FULL STORYA field hockey player by training, she soon identified the characteristic that would come to define her love for politics: a competitive spirit.
READ FULL STORYPeace Corps volunteer Yorman De La Rosa made it to Morocco by way of Kutztown University, after a semester-long stop in our nation’s capital.
READ FULL STORYMarybeth Kern ’09, M’19, who recently secured a spot as a featured artist in Logic’s music video, is all about collaboration.
READ FULL STORYTekiah Brabham's commitment to urban classrooms leads her to teach in Washington, D.C.
READ FULL STORYKU Celebrates First Graduating Cohort of the Education Doctorate Program.
READ FULL STORYChristina Franko Uliano ’07 used a Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms grant to broaden her curriculum. After spending time abroad in Colombia, Christina joined a Fulbright global education online course to learn the tools for bringing global thinking into the classroom.
READ FULL STORYJacey Tran and Bekah Roux, honors students at KU, became fast friends during the unexpected 2020 quarantine.
READ FULL STORYKutztown University is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its relationship with the Lake Peninsula School District in the state of Alaska.
READ FULL STORYSarah is a junior, majoring in social media theory and strategy, with a double minor in business and communications.
READ FULL STORYKutztown University gave Moe an opportunity that no other school did, to study a prestigious major while playing championship-level basketball.
READ FULL STORYMichael is a sophomore, majoring in secondary education with a concentration in mathematics.
READ FULL STORYIn this Kutztown University Student Spotlight, we highlight Laura Gale. Laura is a senior, pursuing anthropology degree. See why she chose KU!
READ FULL STORYKutztown University alumnus, Collin DiGalbo, signs professional contract to continue football career overseas.
READ FULL STORYRecent graduate Tyler Shull is ready to set out on his journey as a teacher.
READ FULL STORYBriana combined a marketing major with a social media minor to create a path to success in a field she can't wait to join.
READ FULL STORYSavina found the perfect combination at KU, with a double major in chemistry and environmental science.
READ FULL STORYChinonyerem, "Noye" is a senior, majoring in Elementary Education/Pre-K - 4 and Special Education/Visual Impairments.
READ FULL STORYFrankmarlin is a 2020 Kutztown University graduate of the Studio Arts Program. He returned to KU in 2020-21 as an artist in residence.
READ FULL STORYNicholas found a community of ambitious, talented students who challenge him to grow as an artist and aspiring teacher.
READ FULL STORYKU's Upward Bound program helps prepare students in Allentown's William Allen School District for a college education.
READ FULL STORYStudents and faculty conducted an archaeological dig at a prehistoric site on campus.
READ FULL STORYKU alumnus dedicates career to defending "everyday people."
READ FULL STORYKU alumna charts a path to her dream job.
READ FULL STORYKU alumna works to increase the prevalence of multicultural literature in schools.
READ FULL STORYKU alumnus finds entrepreneurial success in an unexpected way.
READ FULL STORYKU alumna find success in show business.
READ FULL STORYThis professional writing graduate is helping to bring PennDOT's message to the people of Pennsylvania.
READ FULL STORYKU professors and internationally renowned musical duo nurture promising students and promote the university’s musical offerings.
READ FULL STORYKutztown University alumnus fights food insecurity with America’s Grow-a-Row
READ FULL STORYPolitical Science alumna pursues career in law.
READ FULL STORYAlumna's experience at KU leads to her dream job in a copper mine.
READ FULL STORYKutztown University alumnus is continuing the legacy of education.
READ FULL STORYMeet Kutztown University student Mallory Schmidt who is studying Special Education/Visually Impaired.
READ FULL STORYMeet Kutztown University Student Rotuk Rahedi studying Sport Management.
READ FULL STORYEnvironmental science student Patrick plans to continue his research in graduate school.
READ FULL STORYMeet Kutztown University student Bianca Rosales studying Art Education.
READ FULL STORYBiology major has soared with research opportunities at KU and beyond.
READ FULL STORYThis 2019 graduate is on her way to a pediatric residency after completing med school.
READ FULL STORYMeet Kutztown University student Victoria Fischer, studying Cinema, Television and Media Production
READ FULL STORYMeet Kutztown University student Sylvannah Gulley, a Library Science major.
READ FULL STORYMeet Kutztown University student Nicholas Coppolino, a Business Administration/Entrepreneurship major.
READ FULL STORYStudent spotlight alert! Meet Eva Labram. She is a Professional Writing major at Kutztown University. Learn more about her education journey here.
READ FULL STORYAudrey Zimmerman co-owns the oldest children's shoe company in America.
READ FULL STORYThis 2014 graduate is practicing the art of dentistry.
READ FULL STORYKutztown alum graduates from prestigious FBI National Academy.
READ FULL STORYTraveling to the brink of volcanoes.
READ FULL STORYEnsuring Safety in Research Environments.
READ FULL STORYLaying the Groundwork for a Better Future
READ FULL STORYAlumnus strives to empower everyday people to solve their money challenges.
READ FULL STORY