UCDA : connecting, inspiring, and supporting a creative community in education
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2021 UCDA Board Candidates

The following candidates are running for the UCDA Board of Directors for a four-year term, starting January 1, 2022:

Elissa Chudzicki
Katharine McCann
Vanessa French Harris
Alex Parsons
Sean Payne

Members may vote for UP TO TWO of the candidates. Voting open through November 15.

Voting may be done using the online ballot.

 
Elissa Chudzicki

Senior Graphic Designer
Marketing Communications
University of Notre Dame

Years as a UCDA member: 9

UCDA experience:

  • Volunteer Coordinator and Co-Coordinator helping grow the program—2016-present
  • UCDA Workshop Committee—2019-present
  • Workshops, webinars and list serve

Describe Briefly Why You Would Like to Serve on the UCDA Board of Directors
This has been something on my heart for years, but I have waited as my three daughters got older and we made it past what we all refer to as the survival stage. The timing had to be right so I could truly give energy to such an organization. Some would say I was waiting till I was 40 because that seemed like an appropriate time to look at making life changes and setting new goals. At 40, it is important for me to be part of change, good change, lasting change. What excites me about this opportunity is that I can help shape and mold the future of UCDA. I want UCDA to continue in a path of design thinking in education and providing opportunities for others to grow not only in design, but in relationships. It is amazing to be part of a group that has a common thread and that brings us all together. Who wouldn’t want to be part of that sense of community? Running for the board is a chance to take the torch and be part of lasting change, to give back to an organization and people who have welcomed me and have provided lasting memories and friends. Being a designer in higher ed is largely about being a part of something bigger than yourself. UCDA is like that as well. I want to help craft an experience that people will come back for.

What Skills or Personal Qualities Will You Bring to This Role?
I have always wanted to be a voice at the table, a part of the discussion, and ultimately help to come up with solutions. There is so much gratification that comes from growth and transformation. I always come to the table with ideas and help think through the topic at hand. I have a sense of optimism and positivity that is part of the my makeup and believe that is important to have at the table. You can count on me to be consistent and a “what you see is what you get” kind of woman. I am driven—when you have something you are passionate about it is worth working hard for.

How Can UCDA Enhance the Professional Lives of its Members or Their Institutions?
Always be steps ahead. Be reactive to their members. Stay exciting. Try new things or be willing to take risks. Create an experience so fun that people come back for more. Continue to build an online presence through workshops, webinars, and online conversations. Be a part of meaningful discussions. Be thoughtful. Provide rich content.


Katharine McCann

Art Director
University Communications and Marketing
University of Lynchburg

Years as a UCDA member: 20

UCDA experience:

  • UCDA Design Conference Attendee, 2011-2013, 2015-2016, 2019-2021
  • UCDA Design/Creative Summit Attendee, 2001-2006, 2008, 2021
  • UCDA Design Conference volunteer, 2012-2013, 2015-2016, 2019-2021 (speaker introductions, comment card collections, publications swap setup)
  • Creative Conversations panel member, 2020
  • Webinars/Workshops committee member, 2015-2021
  • Mentorship program (mentor), 2021

Describe Briefly Why You Would Like to Serve on the UCDA Board of Directors
UCDA has given me so much inspiration as both a designer and a leader. I’ve seen some truly amazing and inspiring work from within our organization. I’ve met people who’ve helped me realize that leadership comes in many different forms, and who’ve given me the confidence to stretch myself and my career goals. I believe so much in UCDA’s mission of educating, inspiring, and giving designers in higher ed a voice. UCDA helps us all go beyond making things look pretty; it gives us more tools for our toolbox when it comes to communicating effectively with our audiences.

What Skills or Personal Qualities Will You Bring to This Role?
I think one of the greatest skills I bring to anything I do is being a good listener and a thoughtful person. Like all introverts, I like to observe and listen before I make a judgement or decision, and I try to weigh my words carefully. I like to be helpful to others and supportive. Most of all, I’m passionate about helping UCDA thrive. My UCDA membership is one of the longest adult relationships I’ve had. (Did I mention I’ve got a great sense of humor?)

How Can UCDA Enhance the Professional Lives of its Members or Their Institutions?
I think UCDA has done a great job with the Creative Conversations series. It’s a very affordable way to engage members who otherwise can’t afford the conference or the creative summit. Meeting people where they are is so important. And I know I’ve taken a lot away from those conversations. Maybe encouraging more local or regional meetups would be good, too. We’ve got a lot of colleges and universities in Virginia, and there are some talented designers that I’m not sure know about UCDA or maybe just don’t participate for one reason or another. It would be great to bring us together, and hopefully increase membership and participation.

 

Vanessa French Harris

Director of Visual Communications
Marketing
Meredith College

Years as a UCDA member: 16

UCDA experience:

  • Attended at least two in-person conferences and one virtual
  • Recently participated in the Finding Your Artistic Voice Book club

Describe Briefly Why You Would Like to Serve on the UCDA Board of Directors
Through my job at Meredith College I have been a member of UCDA beginning in 2006. After attending the virtual UCDA conference in 2020 I realized that I wanted to become more involved in the mission of the organization especially as UCDA embarked on making the organization more diverse and open to programming that celebrated all types of designers. I wasn’t quite sure how I wanted to become involved but after the conference signed up for the book club which allowed me to meet more members. When Christine Prado reached out to me to see if I was interested in applying for a board set it seemed like the time was right for me to put into practice my desire to become more involved.

What Skills or Personal Qualities Will You Bring to This Role?
My top strengths are intellection, empathy, adaptability, achiever, and responsibility. I believe that my strengths will allow me to work with and help the UCDA board achieve its goals for the organization. In my current position as Director of Visual Communications I know that being empathetic and a good listener are skills that are valued. In addition being able to not only think through issues and contribute in team settings I also believe that my high level of responsibility are an asset in a team setting.

How Can UCDA Enhance the Professional Lives of its Members or Their Institutions?
Just like me there are probably a lot of members who want to get involved but need someone from the organization to reach out directly. Has UCDA ever thought about local or college chapters similar to the AIGA model? Yes, we need to enhance the professional lives of members and I think the book club was a great start. It was apparent that we all enjoyed the chance to see and talk to other designers who do what we do on a regular basis. I am always struck when we get together how many of us feel so alone in our frustrations and challenges but the reality is that there is always someone feeling the same way. Maybe the list serve can be used as a basis for topic areas where we could meet virtually to discuss those topics. I would love to see UCDA use its member base to start programming specifically for Historically Black Colleges and Universities throughout the country.

 

Alex Parsons

Communications Coordinator
University Advancement
Michigan State University

Years as a UCDA member: 13

UCDA experience:

  • Attended and volunteered at UCDA Design Conferences (2002, 2005, 2009, 2018, 2019)
  • Competition Chair (2009, Seattle)
  • Attended UCDA Design Workshops (Printmaking 2004; Photography 2017)
  • Attended Creative Summits (Santa Fe 2016; Online, 2021)
  • Attended several webinars and workshops, including the inaugural online book club

Describe why you would like to serve on the UCDA Board of Directors
Through my membership, conference attendance and planning, and volunteering, I have come to feel like the UCDA organization and its members are a part of my family and a large part of my life's story. I’ve spent a majority of my career in higher education, and hope to continue to grow my career and skills through involvement in wonderful organizations like UCDA, and giving back to a community I have so much love and admiration for would mean the world to me.

What skills or personal qualities will you bring to this role?

I have worked on in-house teams within higher education for 12+ years, focusing on print and brand design. In addition to working several years at three different advertising agencies, working full- and part-time freelance, I’ve also worked as the sole creative on the team as well as in a leadership role as part of a robust, talented, and experienced team within two very different structured departments. With those varied experiences, not only can I connect and relate to many different members on a personal and professional level and help younger designers grow within their careers, but provide motivation, production, and levity to a sometimes tense and stressful environment.

How can UCDA enhance the professional lives of its members or their institutions?
UCDA has always been a go-to source for all things higher ed design. Continuing to provide more resources and education surrounding current trends in design, web, accessibility, and equity and access is key to create thoughtful and caring designers we all should aspire to be. Not only would these topics develop our members to become better communicators, but also provide them with the knowledge to become subject matter experts within their departments and institutions.

The benefits of community are great, and strengthening those relationships that we may form and rekindle once a year at the conference may not be enough to sustain our members. Adding more opportunities to be able to connect UCDA members with each other, as a group or individually, potentially through a mentorship program could be very beneficial. These sorts of mentorships may also take identity into effect, especially for marginalized communities within UCDA. Giving equal opportunities to those who might not always get them strengthens our community as a whole.

 

Sean Payne

Executive Director for Public Relations and Marketing
College of Advancement
Ogeechee Technical College

Years as a UCDA member: 10

UCDA experience:

  • UCDA Design Conference Attendee (and occasional volunteer)—2013-2020
  • Elevating Black Design Voices panel participant
  • Participant in the UCDA Mentorship Pilot Program

Describe Briefly Why You Would Like to Serve on the UCDA Board of Directors
Having been a part of this organization for nearly a decade I can truly say that it has had more influence on my design than anywhere else, has afforded me the opportunity to grow as a designer and marketer, and allowed me to meet and build meaningful connections with others like me. I want to be able to give that gift to others. Additionally, now that I am working with a technical college it has opened up entirely new experiences and perspectives in design and marketing that I think could be valuable to the organization.

What Skills or Personal Qualities Will You Bring to This Role?
Inclusion: I have an uncanny knack for noticing and identifying people or groups of people who are not being included in the conversation. I believe that growing up in areas where I’ve always been the minority has heightened my ability to recognize those who aren’t being given a voice. Jack of all Trades: “... is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” I would love to say I’m the world’s greatest graphic artist or videographer, but that’s just never been me. I’ve had the fortunate opportunity of doing design in a small town that had few specialists - and so I often found myself having to dabble in a lot of different areas to make projects come together. This has led me to often playing the part of “glue” on a team because I’m able to fill in the gaps wherever necessary to keep the project together.

How Can UCDA Enhance the Professional Lives of its Members or Their Institutions?
Continuity: UCDA has been truly incredible for my individual professional career - the conferences, webinars, workshops are all amazing and by simply continuing to do what you do, you will continue to change and enhance lives. Diversity & Exposure: It is very easy to get siloed in higher education, so the more opportunity that UCDA can provide people to interact with other people, cultures, and design, the better. Exposure and conversation make us ALL better at what we do.