We’re excited to introduce the four incredible judges who will be lending their eyes, experience, and creative instincts to this year’s 2025-26 Friesens Cover Contest! Each brings a unique perspective from the worlds of design, education, and visual storytelling, ensuring every cover is evaluated with care.
Say hello to your 2025-25 judging panel!
DR. REEM EL ASALEH
Dr. Reem El Asaleh is an award-winning Professor of Graphic Communications Management at Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) Creative School. With a background spanning computer science and graphic communications, she leads the world’s first Digital Asset Management research lab and teaches across TMU’s graduate programs. Her research focuses on emerging pre-media technologies, digital asset management, colour science, and equity, inclusion, diversity, and accessibility in graphic communications.
RHONDA LEVINS
Rhonda Levins is an award-winning educator and long-time champion of student journalism and the visual arts. Over her three decades in the classroom, her yearbook and journalism programs consistently earned national recognition, including NSPA All-American and CSPA Gold Medalist honours. A Baker University Education Hall of Fame inductee and Tri-County Educator of the Year, Rhonda also brings a strong personal creative background, with her photography and ceramics featured in regional juried exhibitions.
STEPHEN WILLIAMS
A familiar face to many in the yearbook community, Stephen Williams has been designing standout yearbook covers since 2003. As a cover artist, trainer, and keynote speaker, he has inspired countless advisors and students through some of the industry’s largest workshops. Stephen can talk design, typography, and photography for hours…and that passion shines through in every project he touches. We’re thrilled to have Stephen’s seasoned design eye on our panel once again.
DAVID BURNEY
A seasoned graphic designer with over two decades of industry experience, David Burney brings a refined and thoughtful creative sensibility to the judging table. His portfolio spans branding, print, digital, and illustrative work, with a signature style rooted in clarity, craftsmanship, and smart visual communications. We’re delighted to welcome him back as a returning judge…his blend of professional experience and practical design thinking makes him a valuable part of this year’s panel.
With such a diverse and accomplished panel, students and advisors can trust that every cover will be evaluated with insight, fairness, and enthusiasm. We’re honoured to have Dr. El Asaleh, Rhonda, Stephen, and David join us for the 2025-26 Cover Contest, and we can’t wait to celebrate the creativity that schools across Canada and the US will bring to the table this year.
