Organizational Chart & Descriptions

MA in Design Graduate Advisor

The Graduate Advisor for the MA in Design program is Byron Wilson (byron.wilson@utexas.edu).

The Graduate Advisor is a faculty member appointed to the Design Graduate Studies Committee (Design GSC) who maintains records and represents the Graduate School in matters pertaining to graduate work for the Department of Design. The Graduate Advisor and Graduate Program Coordinator are your administrative liaisons to the Graduate School.

Responsibilities include:

• Advise graduate students in all matters regarding their academic progress through the program.

• Bring student questions and concerns to the attention of the Design GSC.

• Oversee graduate admissions, including application review and interview procedures.

• Oversee graduate assessment, including writing assessment plans and reports.

• Review and revise annually all Department of Design graduate program documents, including the graduate handbook, graduate prospectus, and graduate website copy.

• Develop strategies for publicizing the graduate program and recruiting applicants (as budget allows).

MA in Design Faculty Director

The MA in Design Faculty Director is Tamie Glass (tglass@utexas.edu).

The Faculty Director is the “Front Door” for all parties engaging with the M.A. in Design Program, including students, faculty, administration, and off-campus connections such as industry partners, advisors, and donors. This individual engages with leadership in CoFA and the School of Design and Creative Technologies and leadership in the Design Institute and the Dell Medical School. This position works in concert with the Chair of the Department of Design, the Program Manager, and a designated liaison from the Design Institute for Health. Overall, the Faculty Director provides leadership for the M.A. in Design Program while teaching and conducting service within the Department of Design.

Responsibilities include:

• Intellectual leadership and vision for the M.A. in Design Program
• Graduate student advising, specifically in the M.A. in Design Program
• Curricular supervision
• Industry guidance
• Representation of the Program on and off-campus
• Attendance at key events
• Active contribution to student recruitment plans and outreach
• Informing prospective students
• Cultivating external partnerships, including business development and donor relations
• Strategic and curricular alignment for partnerships, including the collaboration between the Department of Design and the Design Institute and potential industry partners.

Graduate Design Program Manager

The Graduate Design Program Manager is Scott Lauger (scott.lauger@austin.utexas.edu).

The Program Manager works in close collaboration with the Faculty Director and the Chair of the Department of Design to manage the M.A. in Design Program. The manager oversees Department of Design graduate degree programs and respective staff. This position works to create systems, offer expert policy and procedural advice, and ensure Design graduate degree programs are positioned strategically for success in their fields

Responsibilities include:

• Program budgets

• Admissions infrastructure and operations

• Graduate staff team

• Strategic partners and offerings

• Systems and protocols

• Scheduling

• Faculty appointments

• Branding and marketing

• Events and student experience

Graduate Coordinator for Design

The Graduate Coordinator for the Design Department is Kalyn Henderson (kalyn.henderson@austin.utexas.edu).

The Graduate Coordinator is hired by the Chair of the Department of Design and serves as the administrator and coordinator of the graduate programs in the Design Department. The Graduate Coordinator should be Design graduate students’ first point of contact for “how” and “when” questions related to the program, including questions about admissions, visas, finances, and graduation procedures (e.g., “When will my out-of-state tuition waiver show up on my bill?” “How much do I owe for next semester, and when do I need to pay it?” “How do I register for a class in another department?” “When do I apply to graduate, and how?”).

Responsibilities include:

• Assist the Graduate Advisors in all aspects of running graduate programs.

• Handle routine correspondence with applicants and current students.

• Administer the admissions process.

• Advise students and the Graduate Advisor on University policy and curricular requirements.

• File petitions on behalf of students and the Graduate Advisor.

• Gather and distribute information pertinent to graduate students.

• Maintain graduate student records, including Programs of Work and graduation applications.

• Direct students to University resources.

Design Graduate Studies Committee

The Design Graduate Studies Committee (Design GSC) is composed of tenured, tenure-track, and non- tenure track members of the Department of Design graduate faculty.

Members of the Design GSC are:

• Katherine Canales
• Kate Catterall
• Gray Garmon
• Tamie Glass (GSC Chair)
• Carma Gorman
• Sam Lavigne
• Jiwon Park
• Monica Penick
• James Walker
• Scott Witthoft

Responsibilities include:

• Makes recommendations concerning graduate curricula, which the Graduate Studies Committee chair submits to the Graduate School for approval.
  

• Sets general requirements for the graduate programs in the department.

• Is responsible for certifying and recommending students for admission to candidacy for all graduate degrees in its academic area.

• Provides a description of requirements and procedures needed to achieve a degree.

Career Services Office

The M.A. in Design Program, Career Services office, offers career coaching, workshop sessions, seminars, and other events and programs to help students develop their professional skills, including resume writing and business correspondence, interviewing, offer evaluation, amongst others. Career Services Departments within The University of Texas do not provide placement services, but rather career development assistance, extending the nature and range of careers available to students by providing instruction that integrates theory with practical application. The pursuit of a degree does not guarantee or imply employment, employment in a particular position, employment in a particular firm or company, advancement, or a specific salary.