Mentoring
Program Development
Advisory
Scaling access to design through mentorship and systems thinking
"A program that develops and supports collaborations between industry partners and institutions of higher education that serve historically excluded populations."
I started mentoring while teaching at RMCAD, working directly with students as they explored design and considered careers in design.
As I continued mentoring through Workday’s program, I started to see a broader pattern. Many aspiring designers were not just lacking guidance. They were missing access to industry expectations, real-world experience, and professional networks.
That realization changed how I approached mentorship.
I moved beyond one-on-one support and focused on shaping how mentorship and industry collaboration could work at scale. This included contributing to programs that connect students, educators, and design professionals.
Today, I continue this work through teaching at San Francisco State and contributing to Diversify by Design, helping expand access to design education and career pathways.
This work has supported over 200 students in partnership with 53 industry mentors.
Expanding access through structured mentorship
Through my work with Diversify by Design, I helped build and refine programs that connect students with industry mentors and real-world learning opportunities.
My role expanded from mentorship into program development, where I collaborated with the team to shape how mentorship is delivered, how industry partners engage, and how students gain exposure to real design work.
This work focused on creating repeatable structures that support both students and mentors, making mentorship more consistent, accessible, and scalable.
Representation in design education
I contributed to the Design Curriculum Kit by sharing my experience and helping shape how design is introduced to students from historically excluded communities.
This work focused on making design more accessible and relevant, ensuring that students see pathways into the field that reflect their own experiences and potential.
"An experiential learning initiative focused on introducing the world of design to historically excluded youth and expanding the impact of D×D’s youth program partners."
Contributing to long-term direction
As a member of the Diversify by Design Advisory Council, I help shape the organization's direction.
This includes supporting the evolution of programs, the development of partnerships with industry and education, and the continued scaling of mentorship to reach more students.
"The passion, dedication, and experience he brings to mentoring the next generation of designers is invaluable to the coalition."
Andréa Pellegrino
Founder