I'm Yohanna and I am a current Ph.D. candidate in Communication Studies (specifically the Organizational Communication & Technology division) at The University of Texas at Austin. I earned my M.A. in Art History from The University of Texas at Austin and my B.A. in Art History and Mathematics from Emory University. ​

 

Before entering my doctoral program, I was a museum professional. I've worked across several art museums, including the Dallas Museum of Art as the McDermott Fellow for Gallery and Community Teaching as well at the San Antonio Museum of Art as the Public Programs Manager. Bridging local communities with cultural institutions is one of my passions; however, overtime I witnessed the growing tension between the traditional museum model and the evolving demands of the twenty-first century. Experiencing this tension firsthand motivated me to find practical solutions--not only for museums, but for other organizations confronting historically-rooted challenges that are impacting their ability to adapt and plan for the future. ​

 

I'm originally from Oklahoma City, but I grew up in Dallas, TX (the actual city!) and I strive to incorporate "play" as much as I can into my life. I love art, craft, and design. One of my favorite art time periods is the Dutch Golden Age (think Vermeer or Rembrandt), but I appreciate many contemporary artists including Zanele Muholi, Sir Isaac Julien, and Jenny Holzer. Beyond my love of art history, you can catch me reading a book about history, time traveling, or spooky things that go bump in the night.