Linda Smarzik

Strategic Creative Leader & Design Educator

Professional Summary

Strategic and visionary creative leader with extensive experience in higher education administration, creative direction, and digital innovation. A dedicated educator with deep instructional experience, having taught courses ranging from Design Concepts, Design Ideation, Typographic Design, Graphic Design I and II, Career Exploration, and Portfolio Development to Digital Painting and Background Design. Combines executive-level leadership with hands-on expertise in design, marketing, and web development. Known for transforming creative concepts into measurable outcomes through collaboration, strategic planning, and mentorship.

Author of a published book on the process of creativity, bridging art, design, and neuroscience to enhance innovation in education and professional practice. Recognized for leading award-winning programs, fostering diverse partnerships, and advancing design thinking and digital fluency across academic and creative disciplines.

Core Competencies

Creative & Art Direction; Leadership & Strategic Planning; Marketing & Brand Development; Web & Digital Media Development; Curriculum & Program Design; Grant Writing & Administration; Budget & Operations Management; Cross-Functional Collaboration; Team Development & Mentorship; Public Speaking & Writing

Selected Achievements & Expertise

Creative Direction & Design Leadership

Served as Art Director and Creative Director for institutional campaigns, creative projects, and marketing initiatives, overseeing the full production lifecycle from concept to launch. As Principal of a Design and Marketing Firm, directed creative strategy and managed multimedia campaigns in print, radio, television, and web development for regional and national clients, generating approximately $1M annually. Led creative teams in developing brand identity systems, digital interfaces, and marketing collateral that elevated institutional visibility and strengthened stakeholder engagement. Designed and directed the development of the Game Development Institute and Applied Game Lab, merging art, animation, and programming to create industry-relevant learning spaces. Provided creative direction for digital campaigns, national conference presentations, and grant initiatives centered on design, innovation, and diversity in technology.

Academic & Organizational Leadership

As Dean of Digital Fluency and Innovation, directed strategic planning, curriculum development, and data-driven improvement for a five-year college-wide initiative aligned with SACSCOC standards. Developed and implemented 16 digital fluency micro-credentials, leading to thousands of student enrollments and measurable workforce impact. Authored two successful 80-page proposals for new Bachelor of Applied Science degrees in Software Development and Cybersecurity, approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Led large academic divisions in Computer Science, Information Technology, Visual Communication, and Advanced Technologies, overseeing budgets exceeding $10 million and teams of over 100 faculty and staff. Doubled graduation rates and increased the participation of women in IT programs to over 30% through inclusive recruitment and mentorship initiatives.

Web Development & Digital Strategy

Directed the design and build of multiple institutional websites and online platforms supporting digital credentialing, distance learning, and workforce innovation. Guided integration of web-based registration systems and learning platforms, improving user experience and accessibility. Developed early college-wide web design curricula and supervised online course development for design, animation, and communication programs. Continues to consult on digital presence strategies for higher education and nonprofit organizations.

Innovation & Strategic Partnerships

Founded and led the Digital Fluency Initiative, uniting industry partners, faculty, and community organizations to build equitable pathways in digital skill development. Created the IT Innovation Collaborative, a student-driven incubator supporting entrepreneurship in design, coding, and media production. Led the development of accelerated and competency-based education models adopted across multiple disciplines. Secured over $5 million in federal and state grants to support digital learning and workforce innovation initiatives.

Instruction & Writing

As faculty in Visual Communication, taught courses in Design Thinking, Typography, Web Design, and Animation. Students under mentorship earned over 150 awards at local, regional, and national levels. Authored The Process of Creativity, a book exploring creative cognition and its application to design and leadership practices. Developed innovative teaching frameworks grounded in brain-based learning and creativity research.

Freelance & Consulting Work

Provides creative consulting, art direction, and digital strategy services for higher education, nonprofit, and business clients. Specializes in brand identity, web presence, campaign messaging, and instructional media design.

Education

Master of Science – Brain-Based Teaching and Learning, Nova Southeastern University
Bachelor of Science – Commercial Art, Texas State University
Executive Leadership Institute – League for Innovation

Awards & Recognition

• Innovation of the Year Award – League for Innovation
• Administrator of the Year – Austin Community College
• John & Suanne Roueche Award – League for Innovation
• STAR Award – Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
• Adjunct Faculty Award of Excellence

Selected Presentations & Publications

Featured speaker and panelist for Aspen Institute, Inside Higher Ed, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on digital fluency, creative leadership, and innovation in education. Published nationally on workforce development, design thinking, and creativity in higher education.

Grant Leadership

• Department of Labor Apprenticeship Grant
• TRUE Grant (Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board)
• Gates Foundation Breakthrough Models Incubator
• AARP Back to Work 50+
• National Science Foundation and Department of Energy Collaborations

Selected Presentations, Panels, and Publications

• Inside Higher Ed, 2022, “Adaptation Across the Higher Ed Landscape, Case Study: Preparing Workers for the Digital Economy,” pp. 10–11. Link
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Schools Conference, December 2022, “Austin Community College’s Quality Enhancement Plan – Digital Fluency and Innovation.”
• Aspen Latinos & Society + UpSkill America Webinar – Panel, September 22, 2022, “Pathways to Digital Skills Development for Latino Workers.”
• Aspen Latinos & Society, May 5, 2022, “Pathways to Digital Skills Development for Latino Workers Report.” Link
• Aspen Institute, March 4, 2022, “Developing Digital Fluency to Advance Equity: The Case of Austin Community College.” Link
• NCWE Conference, October 2019, “Addressing Greying America’s Hidden Technology Crisis.”
• League for Innovation Conference, February 2019, “Building a Competency-Based Education Model for Graying America’s Technology Crisis.”
• National Science Foundation – Authentic Inclusion of Community Colleges in Broadening Participation, January 2018, Panelist, “Equity for Women in IT.”
• Fast Track to Success Conference, June 2018, “Looking Forward to CBE & Innovation in Higher Education.”
• Workforce Development Institute, AACC, February 2019, “Women’s Economic Stability Initiative Report.”
• Livability for Longevity Symposium, 2017, Panelist, “The Significance of Austin’s Aging Workforce.”
• SIGCSE Conference, March 2016, “Competency-Based Education (CBE) in Community Colleges.”
• TABLab, February 2016, “Recruitment and Admissions for CBE.”
• TABLab, February 2016, “Plenary Session: Developing a CBE Program: Lessons Learned from the Texas Trenches.”
• Workforce One Webinar, December 2015, “Implementing Effective Acceleration Strategies – Competency-Based Education: A New Approach to Acceleration.”
• CBE4CC Conference, June 2015, “State and Campus Challenges and Opportunities.”
• CBE4CC Conference, June 2015, “CBE Orientation Courses.”
• CBE4CC Conference, June 2015, “Academic Planning and Strategies.”
• Educause, January 2014, “National Initiatives in Competency-Based Education: Progress and Lessons.”
• Educause, January 2013, “Lessons in Competency-Based Education Program Development.”
• SXSW Interactive, March 2012, Panelist, “Educating the Future of Austin Technology.”
• NISOD, March 2011, “Dealing with Student Procrastination and Perfectionism.”
• Game On! Texas, 2010, Panelist, “State of Game Development Education in Texas from the Postsecondary Viewpoint.”
• CASE District IV Conference, 2010, “Unraveling the Process of Creativity.”
• SAME-TEC Conference, July 2008, Panelist, “Technical Programs: Here to Stay or Too Expensive to Maintain.”
• National Council for Workforce Education, 2008, “Game On: The Game Development Institute.”
• National Council for Workforce Education, 2009, “Multi-disciplinary Programs.”
• MATEC Networks Webinar, 2007, Panelist, “Technical Programs: Here to Stay or Too Expensive to Maintain.”
• Workforce Consortium for Emerging Technologies, 2007, Keynote, “Nanotechnology in Austin.”

Grant Collaborations

• Grant Lead – Texas is IT (TXIT), Dept. of Labor Apprenticeship Grant. Funding: $1.5M (2019–2023).
• Grant Lead – TRUE Grant, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Funding: $500,000 (2021–2022).
• Co-Lead – NCWIT Learning Circles, ACC Women in IT. Funding: $10,000 (2020–2021).
• Leadership & Mentoring – Fast Track to Success, THECB, Carl Perkins Leadership Grant for CBE. Funding: $900,000 (2016–2020).
• Leadership & Mentoring – Texas Affordable Baccalaureate, THECB, Carl Perkins Grant. Funding: $187,000 (2017–2018).
• Grant Lead – AARP Back to Work 50+. Funding: $1.2M (2016–2018).
• Grant Lead – TAACCCT Grant, Accelerated Programmer Training. Funding: $2.1M (2012–2016).
• Grant Lead – Gates Foundation Breakthrough Models Incubator, Women in IT. Funding: $50,000 (2014–2015).
• Co-PI – NSF, Texas Energy Institute, Planning Grant. Funding: $70,000 (2011–2012).
• Co-Lead – Texas Comptroller, Jobs and Education for Texans (JET). Funding: ~$80,000 (2010).
• Co-Lead – Energy Sector Training Grant, SECO. Funding: ~$70,000 (2010).
• Co-Lead – Preparing Occupations for Lineman Education, Dept. of Energy. Funding: ~$100,000 (2010).
• Co-PI – Work Ready Electronics (WRE), MATEC, NSF. Funding: $70,000 (2005).