May 13

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: 
Emma Frazier
Public + Media Relations Manager
531-MCC-2726, office
  OMAHA, Neb. (May 13, 2024) – The Metropolitan Community College Foundation is pleased to announce Demetria Geralds as the recipient of the MCC 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award. The annual recognition is given to a graduate whose achievement, service and commitment to MCC and the community is exemplary. 

Geralds is a multidisciplinary artist with experience in fashion, costume design and community cultivation. In 2018, Geralds became the first graduate of the College’s accredited Fashion Design program. She said a fond memory from her time in the Fashion program was traveling to the Garment District in New York to research and visit manufacturers that could help her scale her designs.

During her time at MCC, Geralds, a 20-year military veteran, worked in the Veterans Services Office, where she helped fellow veterans navigate post-military education.  She also was a dedicated and active member of the MCC Student Veteran’s Association. As veteran and MCC alum, Geralds continues to field questions about educational benefits and entitlements. She encourages her fellow vets to take classes — credit and noncredit — that are beyond their preferred programming to help them have a smoother transition to civilian careers. 

After graduating, Geralds quickly delved into the creative demands of fashion and costume design, setting high goals for herself and her craft. In 2023, she was credited as lead costume designer for an Emmy-winning in the Short Form Content documentary category. She also worked behind the scenes in the wardrobe department for the Tony-winning Broadway show, “Hamilton.”

Geralds remains involved in the MCC community, lending her expertise as a judge, guest panelist and mentor to support the MCC-sponsored Student Night at Omaha Fashion Week (OFW). Geralds said she is most proud of creating a scholarship from her 2017 OFW prize winnings (OFW), which provided art supplies to eligible MCC Fashion Design students. Additionally, Geralds is a regular guest speaker for the Principles of Fashion class, where she shares her insights on fashion, marketing and merchandising with MCC students. 

Geralds’ most recent ventures find her in the driver’s seat of her mobile art unit, known as the SowMobile. The SowMobile host workshops that make art, fashion and textiles accessible for all.   About Metropolitan Community College
Metropolitan Community College, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, is a comprehensive, public community college that offers affordable, quality education to all residents of Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington counties. Founded in 1974, MCC has the largest enrollment out of six community colleges in Nebraska and is the second largest postsecondary institution in the state. MCC serves more than 40,000 unique credit and noncredit students.