The Class of 2025: Where Design Meets Possibility
A Graduation Story from the Siebel Center for Design
At SCD, graduation isn’t just the end of a chapter—it’s the culmination of bold ideas, meaningful relationships, and transformational learning.
Each year, we say farewell to a remarkable group of student team members who brought their unique perspectives to our human-centered mission. They leave with degrees in everything from engineering and psychology to journalism and fine arts. And they leave SCD having not only grown as professionals—but as people.
This is their story.
Beginnings That Bloomed into Belonging
Many of our 2025 graduates first came to SCD in search of a job. But what they found was much more: a creative community that valued their voice, a workplace that welcomed their full selves, and a launchpad for passions they didn’t know they had.
"I almost rescinded my offer to start work...but joining the team at SCD taught me a new understanding about empathy and inclusion that I didn't realize I needed."
Darina Lubenov, Journalism & Public Relations
“SCD has contributed to my personal and professional growth by giving me the tools to approach solving complex challenges in a human-centered manner.”
—Lucia Moss, Organizational and Community Leadership
Some, like Lucia, became deeply embedded in our research and academic programs. Others, like Keegan Teal, found unexpected creativity through hands-on work in The Shop.
“I started as a sophomore who had never used most of the machines. Now, as a senior, I teach others. SCD helped me grow into who I am.”
— Keegan Teal, Computer Engineering
Designing Across Disciplines
What makes SCD unique is not just what our students do—but how they do it: collaboratively, creatively, and with curiosity. Our 2025 graduates brought diverse academic backgrounds and turned that diversity into a shared strength.
From psychology and advertising to industrial design and mechanical engineering, their varied paths converged through design thinking.
“Since SCD isn’t tied to one college, you meet people from all over campus. The perspectives you get from that mix are invaluable.”
— Benita Romero, Information Science & Game Studies“I wouldn’t have explored UX or human-centered design if not for SCD. It opened my eyes to possibilities beyond my major.”
— Giovanna Gutierrez, English & Public Relations
Some designed art installations. Some built robots. Some helped lead teams through high-stakes events. Many did all of the above and more.
Voices of the Class of 2025
We asked our grads to reflect on their time here. Here’s what they had to say—in their own words.
What has the community been like at SCD?
“The SCD community has been one of the most welcoming and inspiring parts of my college experience.”
— Giovanna Gutierrez
“It’s like another family—always there when I need them.”
— Evan Walker, Advertising
“I’ve helped shape this community into something beautiful, and it’s helped shape me too.”
— Darina Lubenov
“Everyone supports each other, regardless of major or role. There’s a clear sense of belonging here that’s rare.”
— Anne Schmidt, Industrial Design
What have been your most memorable moments?
“Filming a TikTok at the desk and blowing up the phone line… we didn’t realize the call logs went straight to our boss.”
— Evan Walker
“Playing ‘Sharks and Minnows’ with campers during a summer program. I’ll never forget it.”
— Lucia Moss
“When we evacuated guests during a tornado warning—it felt like we were in a Twister movie!”
— Julia Rivera, Media & Cinema Studies
“Falling asleep with my mouth open while eating a sandwich at the desk. Iconic.”
— Asaiah Irvin Rock, Mechanical Engineering
What's the most unexpected thing to happen to you on shift?
“I once found a laser cutter on fire. Everything turned out fine, but it was a wild experience!”
— Anne Schmidt
“We had to rescue someone trapped in the elevator. My coworker literally pulled the doors open.”
— Anne Schmidt
“Lights just turned off (unexpectedly) during a big event. It wasn’t us.”
— Mukta Phatak, Psychology & Industrial Design
Designing Belonging: Their Impact on SCD
Through their projects, mentorship, and energy, these graduates helped us build more than programs. They built culture. Whether through inclusive marketing, community programming, or friendly front-desk conversations, they made SCD a place people wanted to return to.
"SCD became a place where I could try new ideas, lead a team, and be fully myself."
Evan Walker
"Working at SCD gave me real-world experience—and a workspace that felt like family."
— Stephanie Zarate, Graphic Design
"I've made lifelong friends here. I'll miss chatting endlessly at the desk or in the office."
— Indra Vogel
"Being surrounded by different majors and mindsets made me realize creativity lives in every discipline."
— Giovanna Gutierrez
From All of Us at SCD
To the graduating class of 2025: You inspired us.
Thank you for your leadership, laughter, curiosity, and care. You made SCD what it is—a creative, inclusive, human-centered home for all.
We are endlessly proud of who you are and all that you’ll do next. Wherever you go, you’ll carry this community with you, and we’ll be cheering you on.
Congratulations, Class of 2025.
Meet the Grads!
Our grads are taking what they’ve learned at SCD into industries that range from healthcare to entertainment, from public service to corporate leadership—and everything in between.
Angela Hukic
B.S. Cognitive Psychology, Minors in Art + Design and Anthropology
Angela Hukic is exploring professional opportunities in design and creative industries after graduation. |
Benita Romero
B.S. Information Science,
Minor in Game Studies & Design
Benita Romero is joining a leadership and development rotational program |
Anne Schmidt
B.F.A. Industrial Design, Minor in Media
Anne Schmidt will continue working with Illinois Design Consulting this summer before moving to Pittsburgh to work as an experience designer. |
Darina Lubenov
B.S. Journalism & Public Relations
Darina Lubenov will be working at MERGE in Chicago as a communications and PR intern. |
Asaiah Irvin Rock
B.S. Mechanical Engineering,
Minor in Electrical Engineering
Asaiah Irvin Rock plans to become a design engineer and one day start his own business. |
Evan Walker
B.S. Advertising,
Minors in Informatics and Business
Evan Walker is heading into the consulting industry with Huron Consulting Group. |
Gavin Tian
B.S. Computer Engineering
Gavin Tian will work at General Motors Bedford Casting Operations. |
Indra Vogel
B.A. History of Art
Indra Vogel plans to gain curatorial work experience before applying to graduate school. |
Giovanna Gutierrez
B.A. English & Public Relations
Giovanna Gutierrez plans to pursue a career in marketing and branding, especially in sports, lifestyle, or tech. |
Julia Rivera
B.S. Media and Cinema Studies,
Minor in Informatics (UX Design)
Julia Rivera is staying at the University of Illinois to complete her |
Husain Badri
B.S. Materials Science & Engineering
Husain Badri is pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota. |
Keegan Teal
B.S. Computer Engineering, Minor in Statistics
Keegan Teal is moving to Los Angeles to work as a software engineer at a startup. |
Lucia Moss
B.S. Organizational & Community Leadership, Minor in Business
Lucia Moss is beginning a professional master’s degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations at UIUC. |
Mukta Phatak
B.F.A. Industrial Design & B.S. Psychology
Luke Eggert
B.S. Architectural Studies
Stephanie Zarate
B.A. Graphic Design
Stephanie Zarate plans to relax and enjoy her time before transitioning into full-time design work. |
Morgan Sukalo
B.S. Computer Engineering
Morgan Sukalo will join Epic as a Client Systems Engineer. |
Wherever they’re headed, they take with them the values of SCD: empathy, experimentation, collaboration—and the belief that good design starts with people.
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This story was published Thursday, May 22, 2025.