Innovator

Leader

Researcher

Designer

Innovation is the lifeblood of human endeavor.

Leadership

With well over a decade of leadership experience, I have consistently guided teams to successful project completions, finding my greatest professional fulfillment in nurturing their growth and celebrating shared victories, regardless of project scale.

During my tenure as the Academic Program Director at Columbia Southern University for a decade, I spearheaded organizational and academic initiatives. Initially overseeing a modest English department of nine professors, I facilitated its evolution into a thriving College of the Arts and Sciences. Under my stewardship, the department expanded to encompass three academic program directors, six lead faculty, and a faculty body of over 70, catering to a diverse student population of 30,000 students worldwide.

At Caterpillar, as the Training Services Strategy Consultant, I led a dynamic cross-functional team spanning four global time zones, comprising three training strategy consultants, a project manager, and an IT consultant. Collaborating with subject matter experts (SMEs) in mining construction services, instructional designers, marketing, and other stakeholders, I orchestrated the launch of a groundbreaking global program. This experience honed my ability to navigate complex logistical challenges inherent in large-scale initiatives.

Transitioning to Deluxe Corp as a consultant, I capitalized on my proficiency in digital learning to craft a bespoke training program for the company’s transition to SAP S/HANA and Ariba systems. Guiding a cross-functional remote team, I tailored a comprehensive program to cater to the needs of thousands of employees during the transition phase.

As an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Public and Applied Humanities at the University of Arizona, I led the development of a pioneering online BA program in Applied Humanities. This program, offered by the globally recognized PAH department, underscores the interdisciplinary application of humanities methodologies to address diverse challenges in fields such as education, business, healthcare, technology, policy-making, and social justice. My expertise in business humanities integrates humanities research and analytical methodologies to foster innovation and bolster organizational efficacy.

My Mission and Vision

At the heart of my work as a Senior UX Architect lies a commitment to crafting digital experiences that seamlessly blend functionality with creativity. My vision is to empower users through intuitive and engaging designs that enhance their interactions with technology. By merging user-centered methodologies with cutting-edge innovation, I strive to bridge the gap between user needs and business objectives, ultimately delivering solutions that exceed expectations and drive meaningful impact. With every project, I aim to inspire positive change and foster lasting connections between users and the products they love.

Approach and Methodology

My approach to UX architecture is rooted in a thorough understanding of user behavior, industry best practices, and emerging trends. I begin by conducting comprehensive research to gain insights into user needs, pain points, and motivations. This includes user interviews, surveys, competitor analysis, and heuristic evaluations.

Once I have a deep understanding of the target audience, I leverage this knowledge to develop user personas and journey maps that guide the design process. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, including designers, developers, and stakeholders, I prioritize user-centric solutions that align with business goals.

Throughout the iterative design process, I employ a combination of wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing to refine concepts and gather feedback. This agile approach allows for quick iterations and ensures that the final product meets both user expectations and business requirements.

Additionally, I am a strong advocate for accessibility and inclusive design practices, ensuring that digital experiences are usable by all individuals, regardless of their abilities or limitations.

By following this holistic approach and methodology, I am able to deliver UX architectures that not only meet user needs but also drive measurable results for my clients.

Socrates

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old but on building the new.”

My Education

Holding a PhD in rhetoric, a field that explores the art of effective communication and persuasion, I bring a wealth of imaginative and strategic acumen to the realms of digital learning and curriculum development. Currently advancing my skills with an MBA, I am also pursuing a graduate certificate in computational social science, specializing in AI, HCI, and UX.

Preceding these endeavors, I attained an MA in English, with a specialization in creative writing and a minor in rhetoric. Augmenting my proficiencies, I hold a certification in full-stack web development (MERN stack). This multifaceted amalgamation of qualifications enables me to seamlessly blend creativity and technology, crafting innovative solutions that are tailored to the problem at hand.

My doctoral research revolved around the analysis of fan cultures, particularly those catering to enthusiasts in the realm of nerd culture, with a specific focus on the video game and comic book industries. Through extensive study of these communities, I gleaned invaluable insights that underpin my methodology in crafting compelling and user-centric experiences. By comprehending the intrinsic motivations driving individuals’ engagement within these consumptive cultures, I am able to translate these insights into effective strategies.

Steven Jeffes

“Innovation is the unrelenting drive to break the status quo and develop anew where few have dared to go.”

How I Work and Think

My Top 5 CliftonStrengths: Futuristic, Strategic, Ideation, Achiever, and Analytical

In understanding my CliftonStrengths, I've discovered a distinctive blend of forward-thinking vision and analytical ability that defines my approach. Futuristic is my primary strength, guiding me to anticipate future trends and possibilities, enabling me to proactively prepare for what lies ahead. Strategic thinking comes naturally to me, empowering me to devise effective plans and make well-informed decisions. Ideation fuels my creativity, inspiring innovative solutions, and fresh perspectives in every situation. My Achiever strength compels me to set ambitious goals and persistently pursue them, ensuring continuous progress and success. Additionally, my Analytical strength allows me to dissect complex problems, gather pertinent data, and derive valuable insights, enhancing my ability to make informed and calculated choices. Together, these strengths equip me with the vision, strategy, creativity, drive, and analytical acumen essential for navigating both the present challenges and the future landscape with confidence and clarity.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: Logician (INTP)

As an INTP, I bring a unique set of strengths to leadership and business effectiveness. My analytical mind allows me to approach problems with logic and rationality, ensuring that decisions are well-founded and based on thorough analysis. I have a strong intuitive sense that enables me to see the big picture and anticipate future trends, providing valuable insights for strategic planning and direction setting. My creativity and curiosity drive me to explore innovative solutions and challenge the status quo, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and adaptation. I am flexible and open to new ideas and perspectives, which facilitates effective collaboration and problem-solving within teams. Overall, my INTP personality equips me to lead with intellect, vision, and innovation.

What Drives Me


I am fascinated by the future, inspired by the potential and possibilities of what it might be. In many ways, I am a dreamer with visions of innovations that improve people’s lives by tackling new and conventional challenges. I embrace the complexity of the dynamic situations and systems that arises from a connected and technological thriving world.

Theodore Levitt

“Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things.”

When I’m Not at Work

Although I have lived in southern Arizona for a decade, I am still taken back by its relentless beauty. Whenever I can, you will find me out for a drive with my partner, cruising the off-the-beaten path highways of the Sonoran Desert in one of our classic Mercedes Benz. I am an avid movie goer, and I make it a point to go once a week to see the premiere of new movies. I also go to karaoke every week, even though I can’t carry a tune! My favorite thing to do is travel with my beloved partner of 24 years along with our little traveling companions Izzy and Zowie, our miniature red shih tzu sisters.