Digital Media Innovation Alumni Careers

DMI 10 Logo

By: Cindy Royal
October 2026

The Digital Media Innovation program is celebrating its 10th Anniversary during Fall 2026! It’s hard to believe that what was once just a promising idea for a new program focusing on emerging concepts and skills now has more than 700 alumni to its name. We caught up with a few graduates of the DMI program to see how their degree has influenced their careers. What we found was a broad range of exciting career directions, from web development to social media to information management and content creation across tech companies, media organizations, digital agencies, sports teams, large-scale companies and entrepreneurial endeavors. In many cases, the roles and organizations in which these alumni work didn't previously exist for mass communication graduates, and we are so proud to see DMI grads thriving in these emerging positions. Take a look at just a sample of DMI alumni and what they had to say about how their degree influenced their careers.

 

Bridging Communication, Technology and User Experience Design at Microsoft

Danielle Molinar at Microsoft

Danielle Molinar (DMI ’18) is a user experience developer architect at Microsoft, where she connects customer needs with technology through product and experience design, including AI-enabled solutions. Danielle began her career as an application development analyst at Accenture before joining Microsoft in 2021. Her work reflects the value of combining technical expertise, communication and user-centered design.

“The DMI major truly immerses students in the digital world, giving them versatility and a wide range of skills to prepare for new and emerging roles in this field,” Danielle said. “Students with this degree demonstrate a hybrid of strong communication skills and advanced technology savvy, and I can vouch for that statement because I apply these skills daily in my current role at Microsoft.”

Danielle’s career demonstrates how DMI graduates can bridge communication, technology and user experience within a rapidly evolving digital industry.

Soaring with Effective Digital Experiences at Southwest Airlines

Jacklyn Mann (DMI ’18) is a senior email digital developer at Southwest Airlines, because even transportation companies need people with strong digital skills. She began her career in marketing automation with Motiv and BigCommerce before joining Southwest in 2023. In her current role, Jacklyn combines coding and technical execution with strategic thinking to develop marketing communications and customer-focused digital experiences.

“The DMI program gave me the practical understanding of how digital experiences come together, and that’s carried directly into my career,” Jacklyn said. 

The program also provided her with the insight to remain adaptable to vast industry changes. “It has helped me stay flexible as the digital landscape and the tools I use in my work continue to evolve,” she added.

Jacklyn has also supported DMI students by sharing career advice and insights about working in a constantly changing digital industry. Her career demonstrates how technical expertise, strategic communication and adaptability contribute to effective digital experiences in any industry.

Jacklyn Mann of Southwest Airlines

Creative Digital Storytelling at Cosmos Labs

Lauryn Briggs creates social media content at Cosmos Labs.

Lauryn Briggs (DMI ’22) is the social media manager for The Cosmos Labs, a female-owned personal care company producing skincare, body care and hair care products.

Lauryn manages social media content that combines product information with creative, behind-the-scenes workplace storytelling. Before joining The Cosmos Labs, she worked as a digital marketing intern at Circuit of the Americas, the motorsports and entertainment complex in Austin. 

The breadth of Lauryn’s skill set allows her to execute a range of responsibilities for the company.

“The DMI program influenced my career by building my foundation in design, strategy and user experience, while also strengthening my ability to translate ideas into impactful outcomes,” Lauryn said. “DMI shaped how I approach digital storytelling, and the skills I gained allow me to contribute across departments with a strong understanding of brand, product management and digital strategy.”

Lauryn’s career demonstrates how DMI graduates can apply creative, strategic and user-centered communication skills across social media, branding and product marketing.

Driving Accessible Employee Experiences at General Motors

Giselle German (DMI ’22) is an information technology systems engineer at General Motors, working across IT communications, AI deployment and enablement. Her role focuses on translating complex technology rollouts into effective and accessible employee experiences.

“DMI taught me that technological change and advancement are fundamentally about people and change management, not just tools. That foundation shaped my entire career at GM,” Giselle said. “What started as focused IT communication roles evolved into owning end-to-end enterprise deployments across training, governance and program management for more than 100,000 employees.”

Giselle’s work demonstrates the importance of combining technical knowledge with clear, audience-centered communication.

“The program’s greatest gift was teaching me how to translate complex technical work into communications that actually resonate with end users,” she said. “That skill has become everything in my career.”

Giselle’s career reflects how DMI graduates can support large-scale technology adoption through communication, change management and user-focused strategy.

Giselle German at General Motors

Developing Effective Online Reservation Services for Clients at Checkfront

Eddie Johansen at Checkfront

Eddie Johansen (DMI ’25) is a web developer at Checkfront, a cloud-based booking and reservation management platform serving tour, activity, rental and accommodation businesses.

Eddie works with clients and internal teams to integrate Checkfront’s booking products. His role requires problem-solving, customer service and experience desogm with content management systems that include WordPress and Drupal.

“My DMI degree helped me build the technical and problem-solving skills I use every day, whether that’s creating tools, supporting software launches or booking integrations,” Eddie said. “It also pushed me to think more creatively and collaborate across teams, like Sales and Onboarding, to make processes smoother and more efficient.”

Eddie’s work demonstrates how DMI graduates combine technical expertise, communication and collaboration to support clients and improve digital systems.

Social Media and More at Rackspace Technology

Meagan Fretz (DMI ’21) is the global social media manager at Rackspace Technology, a San Antonio-based provider of enterprise AI infrastructure and technology solutions. She has advanced through several social media roles at the company, beginning as an intern before becoming a specialist, strategist and manager.

Meagan develops and curates content campaigns that communicate brand messaging across social media platforms. She collaborates with teams throughout the organization and analyzes performance metrics to strengthen social media strategy. She also contributes to community engagement and support initiatives.

“I use the skills I gained in the DMI program every day at Rackspace Technology, including social media management, media writing, graphic design, video editing and web development,” Meagan said. “That hands-on experience made a real difference in how quickly I could contribute.”

Meagan’s career growth demonstrates how DMI graduates can combine creative, technical and analytical skills to lead digital communication within the technology industry.

Meagan Fretz of Rackspace

Connecting Digital Media and Automotive Culture for Leif Johnson Ford

Brian Garcia Tirado of Leif Johnson Ford

Brian Garcia Tirado (DMI ’21) is the social media manager for Leif Johnson Ford, where he combines digital storytelling with his passion for automotive culture and professional racing.

Brian recently invited students from Jon Zmikly’s DMI Capstone course to the Mustang Cup at Circuit of the Americas. During the visit, students observed race-day media production, including multimedia capture, interviews, photography and social media content creation.

Brian discovered the connection between digital media and automotive culture early in his academic journey when a friend told him about the DMI program.

“It was a degree path that perfectly aligned with the motorsports and media work I was already passionate about outside of school," Brian said. "I switched from computer science immediately, and DMI has allowed me to combine my love for automotive culture and storytelling into meaningful work.”

Brian also applies his DMI skills through his personal platform, Tirado Racing.

“Beyond my career, the skills I learned have helped me document life through YouTube, create memories for my son and support friends and family through media,” he added.

Brian’s career path illustrates how DMI graduates can combine technical skills, storytelling and personal interests to build meaningful careers in specialized industries.

Becoming a Social Media Champion in the NFL

Kate Connors (DMI ’21) is the social media programming manager for the Denver Broncos. Her career in sports media began at Texas State University, where she worked as a photographer for student media and interned with Texas State Football.

After graduation, Kate worked full time with Texas State Athletics before holding social media and marketing positions with the Houston Texans and the NCAA. She joined the Denver Broncos in 2025, contributing to the organization’s digital and social media programming during a 14–3 season that advanced to the AFC Championship Game.

Kate credits the Digital Media Innovation program’s combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience with preparing her for a career in sports.

“The DMI program helped lay the foundation for so many aspects of my career today. I was able to build my ‘toolbox’ of skills from social media to analytics to forming relationships,” Kate said. “I got hands-on experience and learned from professors who inspired me to keep improving my work.”

“I felt confident when graduating that I could join the sports industry and keep building on what I learned,” she added.

Kate’s career shows how digital strategy, analytics, relationship-building and practical experience can help place graduates in industries in which they are passionate.

Kate Connosrs of Denver Bronocs

Playing with Data at 2K Games

Jonathan Cambell of 2K Games

Jonathan Campbell (DMI ’20) is a data analyst at 2K Games, a global video game publisher creating experiences across PC, console and mobile platforms. He began his career in software engineering at Dell Technologies before transitioning into data analytics.

In his current role, Jonathan builds data pipelines and analyzes datasets to improve internal workflows across the company’s video game titles. His career demonstrates how technical knowledge, analytical thinking and problem-solving skills can support a range of roles within the technology industry.

“The Digital Media Innovation program gave me a unique combination of technical, creative and strong analytical skills that has been invaluable throughout my career,” Jonathan said. “I leverage the interdisciplinary mindset developed in DMI to solve complex problems at the intersection of technology, data and user experience.”

Jonathan has also supported DMI students by speaking with classes and hosting student visits. His career reflects the diverse professional opportunities available to DMI graduates.

Envisioning Personalized, Audience-Centered Content for VSP Vision Care

Emily Ferris (DMI ’18) is a content and social media specialist at VSP Vision Care, a vision health and eyewear company. She develops internal and external communication strategies for projects and products serving the company’s audiences, partners and stakeholders.

Before joining VSP Vision Care in August 2024, Emily worked in content and event roles at GoDaddy and Marchon Eyewear. Her career combines digital storytelling, social media, audience engagement and event-based communication.

Emily credits the Digital Media Innovation program’s emphasis on both technology and creativity with shaping how she develops personalized, audience-centered content.

“Looking back, my time in the DMI program was really where everything clicked for me,” Emily said. “It completely shaped how I look at the digital world, giving me the perfect mix of technical skills and creative freedom to figure out how to tell stories that actually mean something to people.”

“It’s what allows me to skip the rigid, corporate-sounding pitches and focus on what really matters: building genuine, human connections and sharing everyday stories that feel like a warm, helpful tip from a friend,” she added.

Emily’s role also includes event activations and outreach activities that connect VSP Vision Care with consumers and professional partners. Her work demonstrates how DMI graduates combine digital strategy, creativity and human-centered communication across platforms and public-facing experiences.

Emily Ferris of VSP Vision Care

Full Scale Technology Support in the Healthcare Industry

Sam Chutter of La Frontera Arizona

Samuel (Sam) Chutter (DMI ’25) is a full-stack web developer at La Frontera Arizona, a nonprofit behavioral health organization providing mental health, substance-use and psychiatric rehabilitation services.

After moving to Tucson, Arizona, Sam took responsibility for technology systems supporting the organization’s marketing communication, registration, data management, Facebook advertising and Eventbrite ticketing. He also manages 22 WordPress websites, including their design, theme customization, content and search engine optimization.

His role demonstrates the broad range of technical and communication skills often required in nonprofit and community-focused organizations.

“Being in the computer science and web development field, marketing and especially writing skills aren’t something we often think of needing,” Sam said. “In my experience, those things have actually been the most important skills I use on a day-to-day basis.”

Sam credits the Digital Media Innovation program with preparing him to manage responsibilities across web development, user-experience design, marketing and communication.

“I think the DMI degree program is one of the most relevant degrees you can earn today because it covers web development, user-experience design, marketing, communication and much more,” he said.

Sam’s work shows how DMI graduates can combine technical expertise, writing and audience-focused communication to support organizations with important community missions.

Coding and Crafting with Michaels Stores

Bridget Barth (DMI ’22) is a front-end developer at Michaels Stores, where she works with the eCommerce Technology Team in Dallas. She joined the crafting and retail company after graduating from Texas State University in 2022.

In her role, Bridget uses many of the skills she developed through the Digital Media Innovation program, including HTML and CSS coding, responsive web design and user-experience design. She contributes to category landing pages, departmental website sections and digital advertising across the Michaels e-commerce platform.

Bridget also collaborates with graphic designers and technology professionals, demonstrating how strong communication skills complement technical expertise in web development. Her work shows the importance of creating visually engaging and user-friendly online retail experiences.

“The DMI program couldn’t have done a better job preparing me for a career in web development,” Bridget said.

Bridget’s career reflects how DMI graduates combine coding, design, communication and user-centered thinking across retail and e-commerce industries.

Bridget Barth of Michaels Stores

Practicing Digital Skills Across Journalism, Academia and Agency

Felicia Quichocho of LIMB Co.

Felicia Quichocho (DMI ’21) is a web developer at LIMB Co., a Houston-based brand, design and digital agency with more than 40 years of experience.

While studying at Texas State University, Felicia was selected as The Texas Tribune’s first Engineering Fellow. After graduating, she worked as a web developer at the University of Houston before joining LIMB Co. in 2023. Her career path demonstrates a full realm of industries that rely on web developers to help tell their stories: journalism, academia and agency.

In 2026, Felicia was developer on the team that won the American Advertising Awards Best in Show – Interactive Award for the LIMB company website! She feels the DMI degree gives her a unique advantage and well-rounded approach in the workforce.

“The Digital Media Innovation program gave me the perfect foundation for my career, equipping me with both the technical web development skills and the communication abilities that set me apart in the developer world,” Felicia said. “It prepared me not just to write code, but emphasized the importance of giving a user the most valuable information with the best experience.”

Felicia’s career reflects the DMI program’s unique combination of technical knowledge, communication skills and user-centered thinking.

A DMI Team at SXSW

We love when an organization employs multiple of our grads, and we equally love the collaborations we have had with South By Southwest over the years. So this group represents double happiness! Anne Cox (DMI ‘20) is Lifecycle and Marketing Operations Manager, Nina Gloria (DMI ‘22) is Sales Enablement Specialist and Julia Pinto (DMI ‘17) is Copywriter, Performance Content for SXSW. Anne and Nina both worked for Austin Woman magazine before joining SXSW, and Anne and Julia both participated on the SXSW Content Team (organized by TXST professor Dale Blasingame) while they were students. 

Anne appreciates the forward-facing flexibility of the DMI degree in her career. “Although technology continues to change, the foundations I learned in my DMI degree have stayed with me in every role I’ve taken on post-grad,” she said. “I feel confident jumping into any media based project - whether it’s code, design or data-oriented - and I mainly credit that to all of the projects I completed during my time in SJMC. Go Bobcats!” 

In a recent guest speaker session, Nina described the pride she feels in being part of the DMI community. “It happens a lot that I will run into colleagues in Austin who are also DMI grads, and that is just this bond and connection that we have,” said Nina. “We all just glow about how great the DMI program is and how it really did set us up for success with all the skills and concepts we learned.”

“Looking at LinkedIn, I see that everyone is spread out and doing such amazing things, and it is just cool to see how everyone is using the knowledge that we have learned in action,” Nina added. 

Note: Anne Cox has moved on to the Sock Club as marketing operations manager in July 2026.

DMI grads at SXSW

DMI Grads Comprise the Web Team for Blackhawk Digital Marketing

DMI grads at Blackhawk Digital Marketing

Breanna (Bren) McMurray (DMI ‘19), Juan Garcia Jiménez (DMI ‘20) and Wren Valles (DMI ‘21) all work on the web team at Blackhawk, the Austin-based digital marketing agency.

Juan, who is Web Services Manager,, said that networking that started in college opened his eyes to career paths he didn’t know existed. He met Sean Smith at a Mass Comm Week event, and after graduation that connection led to a job at Gannett. Four years later, he reached out to Bren McMurray, who sat next to him in an Advanced Coding class, and now they are on the same team at Blackhawk! As different as all those paths were, Juan believes it all comes down to the value of the communication skills he gained as a DMI major.

“Being able to explain technical ideas to non-technical people is a critical skill in a field that’s always evolving, where clearly identifying problems and keeping everyone aligned is what gets you to solutions faster,” Juan continued. 

Juan identifies some of the skills beyond tech expertise that have had an impact on his career. “The DMI program taught me how to communicate complicated problems clearly, and it helped me build connections that led to really cool job opportunities,” Juan said.

Bren, who is Senior Web Specialist at Blackhawk, explains how broad digital experience contributes to more effective teams. “One of the biggest impacts the DMI program had on me was exposing me to the wide range of disciplines that fall under digital marketing,” Bren said. 

“While all three of us ultimately ended up working in web, having that broader understanding has helped us collaborate more effectively with the rest of our team and contribute to projects that aren’t always directly web-related.”

Bren also emphasizes the critical-thinking skills the DMI program helped her develop. “In web support, a large part of my day is spent troubleshooting unique website issues for clients or solving unexpected challenges that come up during development,” Bren added. 

Having multiple graduates employed at the same company reflects on the value employers assign to DMI graduates.

 

Positioned to Tell Their University's Story at TXST

Many DMI grads are employed full-time by Texas State, working as program coordinators, multimedia producers, digital marketers, social media managers, design professionals and more.

Giselle Kowalski (DMI '21) is Podcast Producer for the Division of Marketing & Communications, where she worked previously as Digital Marketing Strategist and Digital Content Producer. 

"My time at TXST’s DMI program showed me the range of job opportunities and creative endeavors that were possible for me after college, and I luckily found my place at TXST," Giselle said. "As the Podcast Producer for the Division of Marketing and Communications at Texas State, I can honestly say that my journalistic classes, writing courses, and overall interactions with my professors in the college were a key factor in my success and my excitement to continue learning, even in my career."

Tate Fissel (DMI '23) is Graphic Artist for Translational Health Research Center, but finds himself performing a range of digital skills.

"The DMI program really prepared me for all the things a professional job would throw at me," Tate said. "I’ve helped maintain a Squarepace website we host. Before we had our dedicated web person I would help with GATO organizing and troubleshooting. 

“I would also go to events we host and take photos for usage in our own collateral," he continued. ”I’ve also done some light video editing for IG Reels that we share. These are skills that I definitely wouldn’t have had without DMI.”

Kendall Perkinson (DMI '25) is the Program Coordinator for Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Kendall started as Website Designer/Developer for the CIE while still in school.

“The DMI program gave me the confidence, foundation and tools to build something real and meaningful," Kendall said. "From designing and launching a university website to stepping into my current full-time role, every skill I use daily traces back to what I learned in my DMI classes." 

"I am so grateful for this program and the professors who saw potential in me," she added. 

Tyson Taylor (DMI '25) is currently Communications Assistant for Texas State Athletics while he works on an MBA in the McCoy College. He previously worked on Digital Content for Division of Marketing & Communications.

"I’m incredibly grateful for my time in Texas State’s Digital Media Innovation program because it gave me the skills and confidence to pursue my career goals," Tyson said. "The program equipped me with a diverse blend of creative, technical and analytical skills that I use every day in collegiate athletics.” 

 

Giselle Kowalski of TXST
Kendall Perkinson of TXST
Tate Fissel of TXST
Tyson Taylor of TXST

Solving Problems Through Personal Experience and Digital Savvy

Kelly Engram of Prairie Fire Hair Collection

Kelly Engram completed her DMI degree in 2020. She joined our grad program and received the MA in 2023 and started teaching on our faculty. In her own words, Kelly emphasizes the skills and confidence she gained in the DMI program that helped her launch Prairie Fire Hair Collection, a very personal and inspiring endeavor. 

——————
I’ve been an entrepreneur for more than 30 years, first as an automotive media consultant, so innovation and problem-solving have always been part of who I am. DMI gave me the technical skills, confidence and framework to take that to another level.

Perhaps the greatest gift DMI gave me was independence. It gave me the confidence and technical foundation to take an idea and build it myself. Whether that’s designing a website, creating a brand, developing a marketing strategy or solving a business problem, I know how to figure it out. That ability has shaped every chapter of my career and ultimately made Prairie Fire Hair possible. 

More importantly, it gave me the ability to solve problems, both professionally and personally. Throughout my career, I’ve created opportunities rather than waiting for them. When I began my own journey with hair loss, those same skills made it possible to build Prairie Fire Hair from the ground up. I wasn’t just creating a business; I was solving a problem I had personally experienced. 

DMI gave me the technical skills and confidence to build complete digital experiences. I designed and developed the website, built the e-commerce platform, created the brand identity, produced all of the photography and video content, managed SEO and email marketing, analyzed customer behavior and used data to continually improve the customer experience.

Those skills have allowed Prairie Fire Hair to grow far beyond what I imagined. In a highly competitive industry where new brands emerge constantly, we’ve built a reputation on quality, education and customer experience. I honestly don’t think I would have discovered the passion that now fuels every facet of my life without the foundation DMI gave me.
—Kelly Engram
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Storytelling and Startups

Blake Kotrla (DMI ‘17) is the Chief Technology Officer for Hill Country Studios, the group developing a 75-acre, state-of-the-art production hub in San Marcos.

After working on video broadcasts for churches in the Houston area, Blake and some friends came up with the idea for the project during the pandemic, when industry disruption led to new technologies to support virtual production. As the idea began to take shape, Blake drew on skills and experiences from the DMI program to help turn the concept into a viable venture. “The lean canvas and the pitch presentations we worked through in the DMI Capstone helped me format our original idea into something we could use to find funding,” Blake said.

Beyond the practical tools for developing and pitching the project, Blake also credits the program’s focus on storytelling with helping the studio stand out. “I also think the emphasis on storytelling throughout the program helped set our project apart from others,” he continued. “The pitch deck that secured our first round of VC funding focused on telling a compelling story, and that value of story is at the heart of all of my projects.”

That emphasis on storytelling remains especially relevant as the studio progresses in an environment increasingly influenced by AI-developed content. For Blake, the growing volume of AI-generated and algorithmic content only makes compelling storytelling more valuable.

“With the abundance of AI slop and algorithmic content filling people’s feeds, I really think story becomes more and more important,” he added. “If you can use story in content, in branding, in presentation, in how you communicate your ideas, I think those effective storytellers will be the big winners of the next generation of business and culture.”

Blake's work with Hill Country Studios extends beyond developing the production hub itself. The Hill Country Studios team was also involved in the passage of SB22, which earmarked $1.5B over the next 10 years for entertainment and film production incentives in the state of Texas.

Blake Kotrla of Hill Country Studios

Building Websites People Love to Use

Cecily Warford Steel Advertising

Cecily Warford (DMI ’22) works in web development for Steele Advertising, the award-winning, Austin-based interactive agency. She started there as an intern in 2023 and quickly moved into a full-time role, where she focuses on website design and testing, as well as content creation.

Her DMI coursework provided a strong foundation for the work she does supporting multiple industry clients. “The DMI degree helped me learn the basics of information architecture, UX and most importantly WordPress!” Cecily said. “I make enterprise-level WordPress installations for higher education, government and healthcare.”

Just as importantly, she said, the program gave her the confidence to keep expanding her skills and approach projects thoughtfully.

“My degree helped me foster and develop my curiosity to learn a wide variety of web development skills,” she continued. “It helped me ask the right questions to develop the websites people love to use.”

Cecily is now helping extend that DMI connection at Steele. This summer, she hired DMI student Harley Dominguez as an intern. 

Making Digital Connections at Alkami

Hunter Tigert (DMI ’18) is a Senior Web Developer at Alkami Technology, the digital sales and service platform provider for financial institutions. Hunter began gaining professional experience while still a student, working as webmaster for the Texas State Bookstore. After graduating, he continued to build his web-development expertise at TXCAPstudio, a web development agency where he created WordPress solutions for clients in a range of industries.

In 2021, Hunter joined Alkami, where he was recently promoted to Senior Web Developer. His work sits at the intersection of web development and marketing: managing websites, connecting lead-capture systems to customer relationship management platforms and helping marketing teams execute campaigns and initiatives online.

“Studying DMI at Texas State was foundational for my career,” Hunter said. “It gave me hands-on experience across disciplines within the tech and communications industries, from design and media production to web development, which is exactly the range I draw on now as a Senior Web Developer.”

Hunter’s career reflects the broad foundation of the DMI program and the way graduates continue to bring technical and creative skills together in their work. 

Hunter Tigert - Alkami Technology

Paid Media: Where Data Meets Design

Elizabeth Perryman Giant Noise

Elizabeth Perryman (DMI ‘19) has built a career at the intersection of media strategy, digital marketing and user experience. Now a Paid Media Manager at integrated marketing agency Giant Noise in Austin, she brings a broad view of how audiences encounter brands to turn attention into action.

That perspective was sharpened during her time as Senior Media Manager at Crispin. Earlier roles in marketing, consulting and UX design gave her a practical foundation. At ProjectManager.com, she worked on paid search, testing, landing-page optimization, ad copy and YouTube creative projects. Across those roles, her work has consistently combined analytical rigor with an understanding of design, messaging and audience behavior.

“My Digital Media Innovation degree from Texas State gave me a strong foundation for my career in paid media and advertising,” Elizabeth said. “Through courses like web design and analytics, I learned how to think about both the creative and technical sides of digital marketing.” 

That early exposure to both design and analytics prepared her to use data not simply as a measure of performance, but as a tool for strategic decision-making.

“The program also strengthened my problem-solving skills and taught me how to take a deep dive into data to uncover insights and make informed decisions,” she continued. “Those skills have been incredibly valuable in my career, helping me optimize campaigns, analyze performance and develop strategies that drive results for clients.”

Engineering Solutions at MXToolBox

Theresa Ponder (DMI ‘17) has held several technical positions since graduating, including a range of support and solution engineering roles.

She currently works for MxToolBox, where she has advanced from DMARC engineer and email-security intelligence specialist to senior customer solutions engineer and technical architect, most recently adding post-sales engineering and accounts-receivable responsibilities. Previously, as an implementation engineer and technical architect at encryption firm Virtru, she guided customers through deployments, coordinated project delivery, documented processes and helped refine implementation practices for new products.

Theresa’s earlier roles at Environmental Systems Corporation, Indeed and while still in school with TXST built experience in systems, data analysis, customer support and web applications. Alongside her corporate work, she held several leadership roles with Born Global Community, including chief of staff and director of implementation.

Throughout her career, Theresa has focused on making sophisticated systems usable, reliable and valuable for customers.

“Texas State’s DMI program provided me with technical readiness from hands-on projects and allowed me to be competitive as a new grad in the job market,” Theresa said. “I am on a great trajectory because of this program.”

Since graduating, Theresa has continued her education with programs in Full Stack Web Development and User Experience Design, demonstrating the value of lifelong learning. 

Theresa Ponder of MXToolBox

Growth and Flexibility Supporting the Pet Industry

Claire Hansen of Petco

Claire Hansen (DMI ‘18) is Senior Web Content Developer at Petco, the pet health and wellness company. Claire moved to San Diego after graduation and started working at Petco in 2020. She recently moved back to Austin, but continues working remotely in her role. She specializes in bridging the gap between technical precision and visual impact to deliver polished, effective web solutions. Prior to Petco, she worked for digital signage company Rise Vision as a web designer, and she was active in student media at KTSW and the SXSW content project when she was in school.

Being an early entrant in the DMI program, Claire recognizes the ground-breaking nature of the degree focused on growth and flexibility. 

“When I joined the Digital Media Innovation program, it felt like I was taking a chance on something that didn’t have a traditional blueprint yet,” Claire said. “Looking back, that was exactly what made it so valuable. It taught me to be adaptable, curious and willing to build new paths in an industry that is constantly changing.”

Claire’s career profile further extends our focus on the role of DMI skills across industries. We are proud of her achievements and look forward to hearing of her continued success.

Matching Skills with Personal Interests

Christopher Harris (DMI ‘18) works for Door Dash as Growth Marketing Manager. But his career since graduating has included marketing strategy positions with financial services company Bread Financial, AI-native media agency Brainlabs, the specialized marketing company Automotive Advertising Agency and nonprofit The United Way of Comal County. He started out working with local coffee shops and restaurants, filming their content and doing local marketing.

Christopher’s career path has allowed him to assemble his vast range of interests into professional success. 

“As someone with too many hobbies and interests, I was at an intersection of marketing, advertising, being individually creative and not knowing where I wanted to be career-wise in the future,” Christopher said. “The skillset I learned from the amazing professors in this program fueled what I can only describe as an adventure beyond what I could have ever expected.”

“Every single skill I learned in DMI has been used in my last 8 years of growth,” he continued. “I am forever grateful that I made the program switch to DMI and would highly recommend it to anyone at all interested in journalism, marketing, advertising, content creation or just how to become a better citizen of the world!”

We are so proud to hear of Christopher’s accomplishments and how the DMI degree has contributed to a very versatile and satisfying career!

Christopher Harris headshot

New Grads Secure Employment with the NBA and their Alma Mater

Kaison Ward of the San Antonio Spurs
Erin Everette headshot
Kolby Mitchell headshot

Several recent graduates have just begun their careers. Only last spring, they were in classes with us. Now, they are already applying their DMI skills in professional roles.

Kaison Ward (DMI ’26) has joined the San Antonio Spurs as Digital Content Assistant, where he is putting DMI’s unique blend of creative and analytical skills to work supporting the local NBA team.

“A lot of what I learned through DMI shows up in the work I’m doing with the Spurs,” Kaison said. “From creating content and understanding different audiences to using analytics to better understand how our content is performing, I’m constantly applying skills I developed through the program.”

“Working as part of a creative content strategy team has also given me the opportunity to continue growing in ways the DMI program prepared me,” he continued. “DMI gave me a great foundation to step into the media world professionally.”

Erin Everette (DMI ’26) has joined the growing list of DMI grads working for Texas State. As Digital Media Assistant for University Libraries, she creates content for websites and social media, practicing graphic design and photography in the process. 

“The DMI program transformed my approach to storytelling while equipping me with the practical skillset needed to succeed as a digital marketer,” Erin said. “Thanks to the real-world skills and portfolio I built during my courses, I felt fully prepared to step confidently into the workforce.”

Kolby Mitchell (DMI ’26) has also joined the ranks of TXST employees, serving as an Admissions Counselor. In addition to recruiting and counseling prospective students, he works on email campaigns and social media content.

“The DMI program was incredibly beneficial for me, especially in my current role,” Kolby said. “I learned how to code, communicate and capture authentic media.”

We know that there are many other recent grads who have already found gainful employment and others who will soon find that perfect role.