Our Team

Akshatha loves using her graphic design skills to promote her alma mater because it gives her the creative joy of being a starving artist, minus the starving. When she isn’t stuck sitting in Austin-to-San Marcos traffic, Akshatha enjoys travel, reading, photography, family time, and teaching taekwondo.

Capabilities

• branding
• typography
• ceramics & sculpture
• empathy
• asking questions
• making puns

Interests

• getting lost in a story
• discovering new music
• trying/doing something new
• martial arts
• photography
• anything chocolate

When Blain was just 18 months old, his dad showed him how to draw a smiley face, and he's been drawing ever since. He honed his unique art style during his 13 years as a newspaper designer and illustrator.

Capabilities

• graphic design
• typography
• art direction
• illustration
• sculpture

Interests

• movies
• art
• pop culture
• toys
• vinyl
• dogs

Callie, a Texas State alum, wanted to serve her alma mater and work in an environment that pushes her to reach higher. When she’s not working, Callie likes to play with her pets, go to Texas country concerts, and spend time with family.

Capabilities

• timeline management
• multitasking
• event/project planning
• written communication
• delegating
• chaos coordination

Interests

• reading
• performing arts
• handlettering
• volunteering
• the beach
• Dallas Cowboys

Cesar played professional soccer in Mexico, and semi-pro in the U.S., before deciding to pursue his artistic dreams in the study of graphic design. In his downtime, he gets his hands dirty working on pottery and refinishing furniture.

Capabilities

• layout design
• branding
• color correction
• pre-press
• logo design
• illustration

Interests

• ceramics
• classic cars / hot rods
• soccer
• antiques
• art
• pets / dogs

Chandler was born under the big skies of West Texas but learned his trade at an art academy in snowy Michigan. These days he's a proud Bobcat grad who enjoys the simple life in Austin with his family.

Capabilities

• visual storytelling
• digital photography
• non-traditional photography
• image editing
• general MacGyvering

Interests

• music
• food
• family
• cool bodies of water
• furniture building
• home improvement

Eddie's love of hip-hop ignited his passion for writing, and he's transformed that into a career in copy writing. You can find Eddie jammin' out, reading, writing, playing sports, and getting into adventures during his free time.

Capabilities

• copy writing
• content strategy
• research
• branding
• bilingual

Interests

• hip-hop
• the supernatural
• philosophy
• the arts
• sports
• history

A native of New Mexico, Elias has nearly two decades of experience in advertising, marketing, and brand building. He’s ecstatic to be a part of the Texas State community and to work at a Hispanic-Serving Institution that welcomes first-generation college students like him. When he isn’t busy transforming higher ed marketing, you can find Elias enjoying the simple things in life, like yard work.

Capabilities

• brand strategy
• design thinking
• storytelling
• creative direction
• organizational development
• leadership

Interests

• internet culture
• strength training
• craft cocktails
• road trips
• travel photography
• the Denver Nuggets
• collecting screen prints
• not wearing a tie

A native Texan, Elissa has over a decade of experience in digital marketing. A TXST alum, she's thrilled to once again be a part of the Bobcat community and to lead the digital presence of the university. In her free time, Elissa enjoys reading, attending live music and comedy shows, and getting outdoors with her husky, Nova!

Capabilities

• data analytics
• content marketing strategy
• paid digital strategy
• community management
• client management 
• copy writing

Interests

• reading
• live music
• comedy shows
• trying new restaurants
• hikes
• art projects

TXST grad Giselle Kowalski was born in Texas and raised in the Hill Country, with roots stretching back to Puerto Rico. When she’s not busy expanding the reach of TXST online, she’s probably analyzing the favorites to win the next Formula One race.

Capabilities

• content writing
• digital strategy
• web design
• analytics
• search engine optimization and search engine marketing
• content marketing

Interests

• dancing
• Formula One racing
• surfing
• cooking and baking
• going to Sewell to tan and read under the sun

A love of film and great stories took Joshua from Skipperville, Alabama, to an MFA in film and television from SCAD and more than 12 years of writing screenplays and filmmaking. Hiking, camping, reading, and tracking down obscure movies on VHS fill up his spare time.

Capabilities

• visual storytelling
• video production
• video editing
• photography

Interests

• hiking and camping
• film
• VHS collecting
• retro games
• chess
• seedy dive bars

Born to entrepreneurial parents, Kelly was managing her own sno-cone stand by junior high. She ditched frozen treats for college at Cal State, Long Beach and a career as a graphic designer and creative director.

Capabilities

• brand strategy
• creative direction
• research and analysis
• client management
• team management
• content mapping

Interests

• rock ’n’ roll
• modern art
• road trips
• antiques
• architecture
• DIY projects

A Texas State alum, Lauren takes pride in improving the website user experience for the benefit of the community she loves. When she’s not working, Lauren likes to garden, read, and explore the many beautiful outdoor destinations around San Marcos.

Capabilities:

• production management
• digital strategy
• user research
• user experience
• content management systems
• art direction

Interests:

• vegetable gardening
• reading
• road trips
• nerdfighteria
• video games

Dallas-raised, but an Austinite since 2009, Matt comes to TXST with a background in tech and a focus on video marketing. He's excited to tell the Bobcat stories that matter most, and you can find him enjoying nature or working on his cherished ’93 Nissan 300ZX in his free time — or at least when he isn’t occupied with his two dogs and two cats.

Capabilities

• videography
• listening to other people's stories
• fixing just about anything
• landscaping and gardening
• calm under pressure
• storytelling

Interests

• fishing
• listening to podcasts
• being in nature
• trying new recipes
• classic Nissans
• trivia

With plenty of experience in budget management, student advisement, and administrative support services, Mayra brings expertise to her role as senior administrative assistant. A Houston native, Mayra is happy to be in San Marcos, giving back to TXST and the local community. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, baking, and watching Hallmark Christmas movies.  

Capabilities

• proofreading
• budget management
• multitasking extraordinaire 
• nonstop learner
• team organization 

Interests

• local politics 
• family and friends
• baking
• watching Hallmark Christmas movies

Nicole's work lets her experience the constant evolution of words, style, and the English language. She’s traded the dark world of newspaper copy editing for sunny Texas State. She enjoys writing, soaking up pop culture, and playing with her dogs.

Capabilities

• editing
• writing
• proof reading
• fact checking
• grammar

Interests

• fountain pens
• crochet
• cooking
• writing
• pop culture
• soccer

A journalist turned marketing writer from Mississippi, Rodney spent a decade honing his skills reporting on crime, politics, and the general weirdness that is the state of Florida before coming to Texas.

Capabilities

• copy writing
• editing
• branding
• communications strategy

Interests

• sports
• film
• reading
• history
• wildlife
• arguing

Stephanie has been snapping pictures of her favorite subjects ever since she received her first camera in middle school. When she doesn't have a camera in hand, you can find her playing video games, roller skating around downtown Austin, or exploring the beautiful Hill Country with her pup.

Capabilities

• photography
• Photoshop
• branding
• visual communications
• multitasking
• personal styling

Interests

• dogs
• music
• fiber art
• roller skating
• film photography
• kayaking and hiking

Born and raised in San Marcos, Vickie returns to Texas State after sharpening her skills in project and event management, most recently in the Dallas-area banking scene. Always a Cat at heart, but she never met a puppy she wouldn’t help, especially if it’s a Chihuahua.

Capabilities

• event planning
• proofreading
• organization
• multitasking
• writing processes

Interests

• animal rescue
• antiques
• cooking
• live music
• reading
• the beach

Becky loves being engaged in her community, whether on campus or at hometown school board meetings. A Bobcat for nearly two decades, she gets things done with quiet determination and bribes of Lockhart’s famous barbecue.

Capabilities

• bilingual
• archivist
• team organization
• patience
• project planning

Interests

• golf
• health and fitness
• local politics
• interior design
• party planning