SCAD Students Shine as 2025 Gucci Changemakers

Three emerging talents earn prestigious scholarships, reinforcing SCAD’s status as a creative powerhouse.

In the rarefied air where creativity, craftsmanship, and cultural vision meet, three Savannah College of Art and Design students have caught the discerning eye of one of the world’s most iconic fashion houses.

This July, Gucci named jewelry designer Court Walters (B.F.A., jewelry, 2025), fashion designer Sydnie Hicks (B.F.A., fashion, 2026), and filmmaker-performer Jeremiah Elias (B.F.A., film and television, 2026) among its 2025 Gucci Changemakers North America scholarship recipients. The honor comes with a combined prize of $60,000 and positions the trio among a select group chosen from thousands of applicants across the continent.

For SCAD, it’s a point of pride: the university received more Gucci Changemaker scholarships this year than any other institution, underscoring its role as an incubator for the next generation of cultural leaders.

Established in 2019, the Gucci Changemakers program is more than a scholarship—it’s a statement. Backed by a $5 million Impact Fund for nonprofits and $1.5 million in scholarships, the initiative aims to expand diversity and inclusion in fashion and the arts.

“Being noticed by such a pristine house is surreal,” Walters shared. The Detroit native, now the first SCAD jewelry major to earn the title, is known for architectural pieces that merge structure and self-expression. From a bronze ‘C’ heel inspired by Chicago and Detroit’s skylines to sterling silver eyewear featured in Vogue, Walters’ portfolio reads like a love letter to identity, collaboration, and form.

For Hicks, a rising senior from Lithonia, Georgia, the honor is fuel for her mission to bring fantasy into the everyday. “I design to make fashion more magical, more chaotic (in a good way),” she said. Her portfolio spans space-age silhouettes, daring denim, and bold, theatrical shapes—each piece a rallying cry for self-expression without compromise.

“Hicks’s work is sharp, intentional, and rooted in impact,” said SCAD fashion professor Andrew Fionda. “She’s poised to drive real change in this industry.”

Elias, from Riverdale, Georgia, is the first SCAD School of Film and Acting student to earn the Changemaker distinction. A director, producer, actor, and performance artist, Elias’ work blends poetic intimacy with bold visual statements. His portfolio, he explains, “reflects my growth as a storyteller, where fashion, film, and movement intersect.”

Professor Nabila Lester describes Elias as “a ball of compassion, joy, and authenticity” whose visual style is both emotionally rich and arrestingly bold.

From jewelry studios and fashion ateliers to fully equipped film soundstages, SCAD’s top-ranked programs have built a reputation for producing industry-ready talent. The Gucci recognition is only the latest in a series of wins, with past SCAD Changemakers including Mariana Robledo, Nathan Batra, and D’on Lauren Edwards.

These scholarships don’t just reward artistic excellence—they signal to the global creative community that the next wave of tastemakers is being shaped in SCAD’s classrooms, workshops, and studios.

Later this year, Walters, Hicks, and Elias will be honored at a private Gucci ceremony, joining a select group of Changemaker alumni whose work continues to challenge norms and inspire audiences worldwide.

As SCAD President Paula Wallace often says, “Our students don’t wait for the future—they create it.”

And with Gucci’s endorsement, these three artists are stepping into that future with both style and substance.

For more on SCAD’s School of Fashion and School of Film and Acting, visit scad.edu.