Meet the 2026 Homecoming student shirt designer: senior Isabella Martinez

This school year, NDSU has taken a big step onto the national stage with the Bison Football team’s move to the Football Bowl Subdivision — college sports’ biggest stage. Homecoming 2026 celebrates that jump into the FBS’ Mountain West Conference with the theme “Plains to Peak: Climb as One.”

For School of Design, Architecture and Art student Isabella Martinez, the theme conjured up iconic North Dakota imagery for her design that was selected for this year’s Homecoming t-shirt that will be sold by the NDSU Student Government.

“When I heard ‘Plains to Peak,’ I instantly thought of things like the Lewis & Clark Trail and the Badlands,” said Martinez, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in graphic design and printmaking. “I go to Medora a lot, too; I think Medora and bison are a big part of North Dakota.”

With these ideas in mind, the senior from Bismarck set to work on her submission during the spring 2026 semester, which was selected out of four finalists. When Student Government executive commissioner for public relations Tyler Halstenson delivered the news that her design would be on this year’s shirts, it took Martinez by surprise.

“It was kind of surreal,” she said. “I had submitted a design last year, which didn't get picked, so it’s fun to know it will be my design this year. It will be pretty interesting to see a bunch of people wearing something that I made.”

Martinez is also grateful to be able to gain meaningful, hands-on experience in her field while still at NDSU.

“It’s really exciting to have your work out there in the world,” said Martinez. “It’s refreshing to have this experience; students everywhere don’t get to have this kind of opportunity. It’s great to have these kinds of options and privileges here.”

The shirts will be available for purchase inside the Memorial Union starting Monday, Sept. 28. Shirts are $5 and will be for sale while supplies last.