About the Work

I am a Design Operations Coordinator and UX generalist focused on building the systems, programs, and structures that empower design teams to do their best work. My role centers on creating scalable frameworks that enhance collaboration, learning, and community across design organizations. This includes developing mentorship and onboarding programs, advancing AI and design enablement through education and resources, shaping strategic storytelling that elevates design’s impact, and organizing experiences that bring teams together to connect, create, and grow.

I value working at the intersection of people, process, and practice. It is deeply rewarding to remove friction for designers through better tools, clearer workflows, and stronger community connections, and to see that translate into more confident and creative teams. My work helps design operate more strategically and sustainably. By developing repeatable systems for mentorship, onboarding, and collaboration, I amplify impact at scale so designers can focus on solving customer problems rather than navigating internal barriers. Design Operations is the connective tissue of UX. It transforms design from an individual craft into an organizational capability. My work reinforces that design excellence is not just about pixels or prototypes but about how teams align, learn, and grow together.

How the iSchool Prepared Them

A combination of design fundamentals, systems thinking, and project management has been essential to my work in Design Operations. Courses in user experience design and research helped me understand how to frame problems through the lens of people and context, while classes focused on organizational behavior and communication strengthened my ability to navigate complex team dynamics. Beyond formal education, hands-on experiences such as coordinating cross-functional projects, mentorship programs, and internal initiatives have been invaluable for building empathy, structure, and alignment within design teams. Continuous learning in areas like AI, facilitation, and operational strategy has also played a key role in shaping my ability to scale design impact effectively.

A Memorable iSchool Experience

I started my program in Fall 2021, when most classes were still online and there was no in-person orientation. A group of new students and I decided to create our own experience by organizing a casual meet-up on campus. We spent the day exploring, getting to know one another, and attending the UT Tower lighting. That group of students became some of my closest friends during my time at the iSchool. The experience taught me the importance of taking initiative, building community, and finding connection even in uncertain circumstances. It was also my first reminder that strong communities are not accidental—they are intentionally built through shared experiences, empathy, and inclusion.

Additional Reflections

Coming from an unconventional background, I often felt uncertain about how my experiences would fit into the world of design and technology. Over time, I realized that my path gave me unique strengths: empathy, curiosity, and the ability to connect across disciplines. There is no single “right” route into this field; what matters most is the willingness to keep learning and to translate your experiences into new contexts. It can be easy to feel pressure to have everything figured out right away, but growth often happens in moments of uncertainty, when you take small steps toward something that feels both challenging and meaningful. Trust yourself, stay open to change, and remember that understanding how you work best is just as important as mastering the work itself.

Advice for Current Students