Intern, Your Turn: Stories from Artists and Creatives
Intern, Your Turn: Stories from Creatives

Hear stories from current students and professionals in creative industries and learn from their personal experiences with internships. After the panels, stay to network with the presenters while enjoying light refreshments and hors d’oeuvres. 

Tuesday, February 25  |  3-6 p.m.
Art Building, Cora Stafford Gallery Foyer

Agenda

3:00 p.m. – 3:10 p.m. – Welcome, James Grandfield
3:10 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Student Panel, Moderated by Kevin Contreras
4:00 p.m. – 4:10 p.m. – Break
4:10 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. – Professionals Panel, Moderated by Cassini Nazir
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Employer and Student Networking, accompanied by fluistists Seungeom Oh and Hyeyeon Kim

What will students get out of the event?  

  • Connect with employers and Alumni from different Creative fields.
  • Gain inside knowledge on distinct pathways for your creative career.
  • Learn about internship opportunities.

Hyeyeon Kim – flutist 
Originally from South Korea, Hyeyeon Kim is pursuing a Doctoral degree in flute performance at University of North Texas under Dr. Mary Karen Clardy. She serves as a Teaching Fellow at UNT and flute instructor in multiple Independent School Districts in Texas. Ms. Kim earned Master of Music from UNT and Performance Diploma from Indiana University.

Seungeom Oh – flutist 
Seungbeom Oh is a flutist from South Korea. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Keimyung University and continued his musical studies in the United States. He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree at University of North Texas under the tutelage of Dr. Mary Karen Clardy and receiving full scholarship.


Kevin Contreras – Student Panel Moderator 
Kevin is originally from Seagoville, Texas, and completed a B.F.A. in Studio Art with a concentration in Printmaking and an M.Ed. in Higher Education with an emphasis in student affairs here at UNT. Throughout his time here as a student, he was involved in housing and residence life as a resident assistant. After graduation, he worked as a CVAD academic advisor before joining the college recruiter and community development position. 

Cassini Nasir – Alumni Panel Moderator 
Cassini Nazir is a designer of conversations, curricula, and interfaces. He is an Assistant Professor in the College of Visual Arts and Design at the University of North Texas, where he teaches classes in interaction design and user experience. His research explores how curiosity can be meaningfully infused into design processes. He was Designer-in-Residence for the Masters in Design and Innovation (MADI) program at Southern Methodist University and also taught at The University of Texas at Dallas for 10 years, where he directed the Arts and Technology Usability Lab and co-directed the ArtSciLab.

Student Panel

Savannah Cavazos – Home and Decor Merchandising 
Savannah Cavazos, a Senior Furnishings and Decor Merchandising major, has always been passionate about design and decorating. Her love for the industry has only grown deeper in the three short years she has been a part of CMHT. She’s fully embraced opportunities like working as a Student Assistant for faculty and landing internships at Michaels Corporate Offices in Seasonal Decor Buying and Global Views in the Product Development/Visual Merchandising. As graduation approaches this May, Savannah is eager to apply her skills and experiences, excited to see how they will shape her next steps in the industry. 

Kryslyn Hathorn – Interdisciplinary Art & Design  
Kryslyn Hathorn is an Interdisciplinary Art and Design Studies student, minoring in Marketing. She completed a Social Media Internship with Aume Media in August 2024. Her experience working with the team at Aume helped solidify her goal of pursuing a career path in social media marketing. Kryslyn holds the position of Historian for the Printmaking Association of North Texas, one of CVAD’s longest-standing student organizations. She is also an active participant in the Professional Women’s Council and is currently in their mentorship program. Kryslyn is looking forward to her next opportunity in the marketing field as she graduates this Spring. 

Bennett Morgan – Music/Marketing/A&R  
Bennett is a dynamic music professional with a diverse background in performance, education, and the music industry. As a clarinetist, he has performed with both collegiate and professional ensembles across the country and has cultivated a private teaching studio for beginner and advanced students alike. His industry experience spans roles in A&R, artist management, social media, and artist marketing. Currently, Bennett serves as Content & Community Coordinator at Hal Leonard, a Muse Group Company, where he supports digital communications, creative strategy, and product development. Additionally, he is an Ambassador for Grammy U, the student wing of the recording academy, and an A&R Scout for Independent Co., a record distribution label under the Sony Music umbrella. 

Makenzie Stewart – Creative Writing
Makenzie Stuart is a first-year graduate student studying Creative Nonfiction. They earned their B.A in English with a focus in creative writing from UNT, where they were the Art Editor for the North Texas Review from 2022-2024. They have a special interest in the intersection of writing, art, and film. When they’re not at UNT, they are working in communications and content creation for To Write Love on Her Arms, or enjoying movies, art museums, and spending time with their loved ones.

Alumni Panel

Rosana Eckert – Music
Rosana Eckert is known internationally as a vocalist, songwriter, arranger, and master teacher of jazz and voice. She has released many solo albums to critical acclaim and collaborated with countless jazz luminaries, including singing on the Grammy-nominated album Vocabularies by Bobby McFerrin, co-producing the Grammy-nominated track How Deep is Your Love by vocal group Kings return, and singing on the Grammy-winning composition “Eberhard” by legendary jazz pianist Lyle Mays. Her many published choral arrangements and original songs have been sung all over the world, and she is one of the most in-demand vocalists, arrangers, clinicians, and guest conductors in her field. Additionally, she was the first woman and first vocalist to join the esteemed jazz faculty at the University of North Texas in 1999, helping build their vocal jazz program into one of the best in the world. 

Frazier Johnson – Creative Writing
Frazier Johnson’s current position as Senior Graduate Admissions Officer at UNT relies on strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to complete multiple tasks simultaneously. Ultimately, he cherishes most the connections he forms with students from all over the country as he helps them find the right path to achieving their dreams. 

Lastly, Johnson is a published novelist. His debut novel, The Lost King, was released in November of 2020 through FyreSyde Publishing, a local press. 

Kevin Miller –   2019 Home Furnishings Merchandising UNT Graduate 
Kevin Miller began his career at Global Views in 2019 as an intern for their online brand, William D Scott, where he focused on website management, data sourcing, and visual display. His dedication and skills quickly led him to become an integral part of the Global Views design team, taking on roles in visual merchandising, product development, and product design. Kevin’s creative expertise extends to photo styling, where he contributes to the visual appeal of the brand. Additionally, he represents Global Views as a brand ambassador at trade fairs and conferences, showcasing his versatility and commitment to the company’s success. 

Katie Whelan – Interior Design 
Katie Whelan is a recent graduate of the University of North Texas, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts with a focus on Interior Design. During her academic career, Katie began her professional journey in Sports Interiors at HKS, Inc., a prominent Dallas-based architecture and design firm. Her role at HKS allows her to gain valuable experience and insights into the dynamic field of interior design, particularly within the sports sector. Katie’s education and early career experience has positioned her as a promising talent in the design industry, with a strong foundation in both creative design principles and practical application. 

By Delaney Smith-Vaughn
Delaney Smith-Vaughn Career Coach for College of Visual Arts and Design, Art History, Interdisciplinary Art and Design Studies, Pre-Art Education and Art Education, Pre-Fashion Design and Fashion Design, Pre-Studio Art, Printmaking, Ceramics, Metalsmithing and Jewelry, and Sculpture Majors