BRF’s Digital Media Institute (DMI) and Northwestern State University of Louisiana
(NSU) are proud to announce a groundbreaking academic partnership that bridges the gap between two-
year technical education and four-year fine arts degrees. Beginning in Fall 2025, students will have the
opportunity to pursue an innovative educational pathway that blends DMI’s industry-driven Advertising &
Design Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program with NSU’s established Bachelor of Arts and
Bachelor of Fine Arts programs.
This new partnership offers students at NSU the option to focus their Fine Arts studies through DMI’s
intensive, hands-on design curriculum. At the same time, students who begin their education at DMI will
now be able to complete their general education coursework through NSU and have a clear, seamless
path to transfer into NSU’s four-year degree programs.
“This collaboration is about creating more access and more opportunity for students in the visual arts and
creative technology fields,” said Greg Nelson, Academic Director at DMI. “By combining our
strengths—DMI’s technical specialization and NSU’s academic diversity—we’re preparing students not
just for graduation, but for real careers in design, media and advertising.”
Students will benefit from dual advising, coordinated academic calendars, and access to the full range of
student services at both institutions. The partnership also includes a joint marketing initiative under the
theme “Start Strong, Finish Fine,” highlighting fine arts and the creative and academic synergy between
the two schools.
“This is a forward-thinking model for education,” said Dr. Leslie Gruesbeck, department chair and
associate professor of art at NSU. “It reflects how we should be preparing students in an evolving creative
economy—flexibly, collaboratively and with a focus on real-world outcomes.”
The partnership also enhances workforce readiness by allowing students to enter the job market after two
years with a competitive portfolio and industry credentials from DMI, while also supporting those who
want to continue their education by pursuing advanced studies at NSU.