Mercyhurst student designs new logo for MCRC

Mercyhurst University Graphic Design major Jessica Clark has designed a new logo for the Multicultural Community Resource Center (MCRC) that will be unveiled as part of the center’s rebranding campaign on Monday, July 11, at its headquarters, 554 E. 10th St. 

The 11 a.m. event will reveal Clark’s logo, commissioned as part of a contest in Art Department Chair Jodi Staniunas Hopper’s Typographic Foundations course last spring. It was chosen from among 20 entries.

“I am particularly proud of these design students,” Hopper said. “There were many viable options for MCRC. Jessica’s offered the flexibility that MCRC could capitalize on. I can’t say enough great things about this partnership and what we have been able to accomplish together.”

MCRC provides a variety of educational and employment programs to the immigrant and refugee populations in Erie. Clark’s design highlights the global nature of MCRC’s clientele and speaks to humanity’s connectedness. From a practical standpoint, it also allows MCRC to color code each of its many programs for ease of recognition and association with the center. 

MCRC Executive Director Katie Kretz said, “Supporting the Latino, Refugee, Immigration and New American communities is what we do best here at MCRC. We are committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive wrap-around services to these populations. Since our original name change from the Hispanic/American Council to Multicultural Community Resource Center back in 2009, the community has referred to us as ‘MCRC.’ So, our leadership team felt that it was time to brand ourselves as such and do so with an image that best represents us and our core values to the community. Along with the rebranding to MCRC, we also wanted our new image to be vibrant and welcoming.” 

Kretz noted that Clark’s imagery, titled “The World in Our Hands,” caught the attention of the MCRC Leadership Team and Board of Directors because it “best represented what the organization does—it represents all people having the ability to create opportunity for their future and others.” 

Clark, a Buffalo native, carries a dual major in Interior Architecture and Graphic Design.

Hopper’s students also rebranded Community Resources for Independence (CRI) during the pandemic and is currently working with another area organization on a branding project, an educational and enrichment experience that pays dividends for both students and nonprofits serving the regional community.