Meet the Communications Staff

College of Fine Arts Communications Staff

  • Alicia Dietrich, Director of Communications for the College of Fine Arts

    Alicia Dietrich

    Director of Communications, College of Fine Arts

    Alicia oversees communications strategy for the College of Fine Arts. She works closely with the dean, the president’s communications office, and the college’s communications staff to share the college’s story with internal and external audiences. Prior to joining the College of Fine Arts in 2015, she worked in communications for nine years at UT’s Harry Ransom Center and is a 2014 graduate of Leadership Austin’s Emerge program. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from The University of Texas at Austin, and she has served on the Terry Foundation Alumni Advisory Board and as an executive officer on the board of the nonprofit Friends of The Daily Texan.

    How she can help you: Contact Alicia if you have news to share on our college channels, have a story idea to pitch to media or need guidance on video or photography services, content strategy, messaging, op-ed writing or media training.

  • Anna Valdez

    Communications Specialist

    Prior to joining the College of Fine Arts, Anna Valdez worked as a Senior Quality Assurance Specialist with an emphasis in writing, editing and ensuring content accuracy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Journalism from Texas State University and has successfully managed and improved content quality across various projects. Beyond her professional skills, Anna enjoys exploring Austin’s vibrant culture, reading and staying up-to-date with the latest trends in the content and tech industries.

    How she can help you: Contact Anna if you have news to pitch for the college's social media channels, alumni news updates, questions about the alumni or parent email newsletters or if you have content updates to make to the College of Fine Arts website.

  • Misa Yamamoto, Senior Visual Designer for the College of Fine Arts

    Misa Yamamoto

    Senior Visual Designer, College of Fine Arts

    With an emphasis on great UX/UI design, Misa creates visual designs for web, electronic and print communication for units and programs in the College of Fine Arts’ Dean’s Office. She holds a B.F.A in Communication Design from Texas State University, and she has completed additional training in web design and UX research.

    How she can help you: Contact Misa if you need any help for design on print collateral or digital graphics.

Department of Art and Art History Communications Staff

  • Jennifer Irving, communications coordinator for the Department of Art and Art History

    Jennifer Irving

    Communications Coordinator, Department of Art and Art History

    Jennifer manages communications and publicity for the Department of Art and Art History, which includes the school’s three areas of study (Studio Art, Art History, and Art Education) as well as the school’s gallery, the Visual Arts Center (VAC). She holds a Master of Science in Journalism from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from St. Edward’s University.

    How she can help you: Contact Jennifer for any and all Art and Art History news you want to share or if have a story idea to pitch to media, want an event publicized, are in need of photography or video services, or need guidance on anything related to AAH or the VAC. 

  • Hunter Thomas, senior graphic designer in the Department of Art and Art History

    Hunter Thomas

    Senior Graphic Designer, Department of Art and Art History

    Hunter is a visual designer with experience in print, digital, and web. He provides graphic design for the Department of Art and Art History and its programs and centers, and he holds a B.F.A. in Design from The University of Texas at Austin.

    How he can help you: Contact Hunter if you need assistance with print collateral, digital media, or planning and designing websites for the Department of Art and Art History. 

Butler School of Music Communications Staff

  • Nathan Russell, Marketing Designer for the Butler School of Music

    Nathan Russell

    Marketing Designer, Butler School of Music

    Nathan handles a range of graphic design for The Butler School of Music, including website graphics, social media assets, and print and digital collateral. He also manages and designs concert programs for the butler school, from the commissioning of program notes, through print and delivery of physical concert programs. Nathan manages the BSOM digital assets including their photography archive, brand guides, and other brand resources.  

    How he can help you: Help with print and digital collateral for the Butler School of Music, help with concert programs, and requests for photos or other Butler School assets.  

School of Design and Creative Technologies Communications Staff

  • Gabrielle Hernandez, Communications Manager for the School of Design and Creative Technologies

    Gabrielle Hernandez

    Communications Manager, School of Design and Creative Technologies

    Gabrielle manages communications and marketing for the School of Design and Creative Technologies. Her previous experience includes producer work in television, as well as writing and editing for various publications. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Media from London Metropolitan University and Bachelor of Journalism from The University of Texas at Austin.

  • Grace Homeyer, Communications Associate for the School of Design and Creative Technologies

    Grace Homeyer

    Communications Associate, School of Design and Creative Technologies

    Grace serves as a Communications Associate at the School of Design and Creative Technologies. The UT alumna holds a B.A. in International Relations and Global Studies, with a focus on Culture, Media, and the Arts in Africa. Since her time on the 40 acres, she has used her degree in design and communication roles across the US and Uganda.

    How she can help you: Contact Grace for requests related to SDCT’s website and social media channels.

Department of Theatre and Dance Communications Staff

  • Sydney Patillo, Marketing Assistant in the Department of Theatre and Dance

    Sydney Pattillo

    Communications Specialist, Department of Theatre and Dance

    Sydney joined the Department of Theatre and Dance in April 2020. As a member of the communications team, she assists with marketing efforts within the department, including social media management and coordination of marketing materials. Previously, Pattillo has held positions as the marketing and social media intern for the Adirondack Theatre Festival in upstate New York and the assistant stage manager for Hyde Park Theatre and ScriptWork’s annual FronteraFest in 2020. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi with a B.A. in Theatre and a minor in business administration.

    How she can help you: Contact Sydney if you have news that you’d like to share on the Department of Theatre and Dance’s channels, bi-weekly ecards or department blog or if you need assistance within any of these areas.

Landmarks Communications Staff

  • Logan Larsen, Digital Content Coordinator for Landmarks

    Logan Larsen

    Digital Content Coordinator, Landmarks

    Logan assists Landmarks, UT’s public art program with social media, website maintenance and content creation. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from the University of Texas at Austin.

    How he can help you: Contact Logan if you need any help creating content in tandem with the public art collection or want to learn more about the program.  

Texas Performing Arts Communications Staff