Three Questions With ... Katie Chrzanowski '07

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 09:11:11 -0500
web-stories

"Three Questions With" is an opportunity to celebrate and learn more about staff in the Division of Student Affairs. We're excited to kick off this series with Katie Chrzanowski '07 in DoSA Creative Services (who designs and produces "DoSA Matters")!

Want to suggest a Student Affairs colleague for "Three Questions With ..."? Email elewis@umbc.edu

Name/Pronouns

Katie Chrzanowski

she/her

Title/Department

Senior Web Experience/Digital Designer

Student Affairs Creative Services

Years in Student Affairs

9+

UMBC Alumni Information

2007 Visual Arts Major, 2 concentrations: Animation, Interactivity

2 minors: Computer Science, Art History

C2 CWIT Scholar

IRC Fellow

What is something you do as part of your position that people may not be aware of?

The scope of what SACS covers is so broad and a lot of the things I work on are pretty visible such as digital signage, web, accessibility, animation, and more. The thing I think I get the most reward out of is what people don't see at all and that is the portfolio and resume critiques, and career guidance I provide our student staff. There's nothing like pushing them to explore avenues they might not have thought of, connecting them to industry contacts, and them getting a job in their field after graduation.

What is one of the most important things you've learned during your time here?

Since coming back to UMBC as a staff member I feel like my compassion and awareness for other perspectives has grown more than in any other job I have had. Being mindful of imagery and language and how it can be interpreted is very important. I feel like I have always tried to take in other perspectives, but UMBC has such a diverse community it has definitely expanded that for me.

What do you like to do for fun and/or is something you are passionate about outside of work?

Outside of work I'm an avid Pez collector and member of the Pez community. I have been the host of the Maryland Pez Gathering since 2022 (I was previously their graphic designer) where Pezheads gather to socialize, play games, and raise money for charity through selling specialty dispensers and silent auction items. I also attend weekly Zoom calls with fellow Pezheads and have made some amazing friends through the community.

I have been collecting since 1995. I'm not sure how many I have in my collection, but to give you a taste I did a mini tour for the Virtual Pez Convention in the spring of 2022. I was also able to be an extra in the Emmy-award winning documentary The Pez Outlaw which is available through VOD or Netflix right now, you can catch me in a few parts of that film, but I have a few good shots towards the end.

("Three Questions With Katie Chrzanowski" will be published in the January 2024 issue of "DoSA Matters," the division's internal e-newsletter. )