Resume

Blending UX research, front-end development, and digital strategy to drive intuitive, accessible solutions. I help teams modernize digital experiences by simplifying complexity, improving usability, and driving alignment across tools and content. Equally comfortable coding, coaching, and communicating cross-functionally.

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Education

User Experience Certification

Nielsen Norman Group, ID: 1034952

May 2021

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design

Cum Laude, Overall GPA: 3.64

Sam Houston State University

May 2019

Experience
‍

University of Houston

Director of Online Marketing

Oct 2024 – July 2025

Led digital strategy, user experience, and web development for the Division of Energy & Innovation

  • Redesigned and differentiated web presence for Energy and Innovation arms, aligning with distinct strategic objectives and audiences.
  • Filled process gaps by creating content, developing workflows, and establishing best practices where none previously existed.
  • Oversaw a cross-functional web team, including a developer, student workers, writer, and collaborated closely with subject matter experts to prioritize and execute initiatives.
  • Co-managed the CMS and led editor training and support, improving content quality, governance, and accessibility across the division.

Texas Southern University

Sr Web UX Developer

Mar 2024 – Oct 2024

Brought in to improve website strategy, UX, and CMS operations for a decentralized content environment.

  • Proposed and led a CMS migration to modernize the web platform and improve usability.
  • Designed and implemented a new design system to support brand authenticity.
  • Developed CMS training resources and empowered editors to manage decentralized content.
  • Audited web content and forms, improving UX and accessibility.

Sam Houston State University

User Experience Manager

May 2023 – Mar 2024

Established the university’s first UX team within IT to support user-centered design across digital systems and services.

  • Founded and led a multidisciplinary team (2 full-time, 3 part-time) focused on research, content, design, accessibility, and training.
  • Defined UX strategy for enterprise digital services, including intranet improvements,  software optimization, and student onboarding journey.
  • Collaborated with IT leadership to prioritize and launch user-centered improvements across campus.

User Experience Developer

Oct 2021 – May 2023

Served as a UX lead across Finance & Operations and Information Technology, supporting service design, research, and digital process improvements during a major campus realignment.

  • Conducted user research and usability testing for internal tools, including technology acquisition and service request forms.
  • Facilitated design workshops to improve complex workflows and IT’s service catalog.
  • Developed a centralized product catalog to streamline approvals and reduce software duplication.
  • Collaborated with business analysts to assess department needs and recommend automated solutions.
  • Bridged front-end development, UX design, and service research in a cross-functional, solo UX practitioner role.

Web & Media Developer III

Jun 2019 – Oct 2021

Supported 24 departments by improving digital communication and operational web content.

  • Rewrote and restructured department websites with a focus on usability and audience clarity.
  • Interpreted complex services and processes into accessible, user-friendly formats.
  • Balanced content strategy with hands-on front-end development and accessibility improvements.

Student Asst - Graphic Designer

Jan 2018 – Jun 2019

Delivered marketing and communication materials for Public Safety Services, including print, web, and signage.

  • Designed digital content to simplify campus parking and safety systems.
  • Created reports, forms, and signage that supported outreach and compliance.
  • Rebuilt police web content and designed the Campus Security Authority form for federal compliance.

Student Asst - Print Lab Assistant

Sep 2017 – Jan 2018

Provided technical and customer service support to design students in a print lab environment.

  • Helped troubleshoot printing issues and promoted a clean, professional workspace.
  • Guided peers on equipment usage and supported lab operations.

Skills

User Experience / Product Design

  • Conducting qualitative and quantitative user research.
  • Applying of user-centered design principles.
  • Applying W3C accessibility standards.
  • Developing of wireframes, prototypes, and user flows.
  • Knowledge of human usability and responsive design.
  • Planning and conducting usability testing.
  • Creating content plans and site maps.

Development

  • Proficient HTML5 and CSS3 coding.
  • Basic JavaScript and jQuery coding
  • Proficiency with BootStrap and Zurb CSS libraries.
  • Ability to understand of software strengths and limitations.
  • Administrating and optimizing Content Management Systems.

Communication

  • Ability to distill complex concepts.
  • Ability to create and present/communicate complex technical information to a variety of stakeholders and leadership.
  • Building consensus and articulating the impact of design.

Leadership & Strategy

  • Analyzing business process and needs.
  • Project management.
  • Leading and facilitating design sessions with end users, stakeholders, and development teams.
  • Mapping end-to-end workflows for enhanced understanding and identifiying improvements.
  • Cross-functional team leadership

Tools

Adobe Acrobat Pro

PDF Forms & Accessibility

Adobe InDesign

Layout Design

Adobe Illustrator

Vector Design

Adobe Photoshop

Photo Editing

Adobe Sign

Digital Signature Software

Cascade CMS

Content Management System

dotCMS

Content Management System

Figma

UI Design & Prototyping

Font Awesome

Cloud Icon Library

Google Analytics

Web Analytics

Hive

Project Management

LucidChart

Collaborative Diagramming

LucidSpark

Collaborative Whiteboard

Microsoft Forms

Online Form

Microsoft Office

Office Productivity & Presentation

Modern Campus CMS

Content Management System

Qualtrics

Online Surveys & Forms

SharePoint

Database & Workflow Dashboard

SiteImprove

Quality Assurance Analytics

Visual Studio Code

HTML, CSS, JS Text Editing

Achievements

High-Potential Employee Leadership Academy Participant, 2023-2024

The High Potential Employee Leadership Academy is a 9-month experience that involves a series of monthly development sessions that address key leadership topics and specific focus groups.

Spotlight of Staff Award, Sept 2021

Spotlight on Staff is awarded monthly to an employee that goes above and beyond at Sam Houston State University. The employees are nominated by their peers and selected through a popular vote by the Staff Senate News and Networking Committee.

Adobe Design Achievement Semi-Finalist, July 2018

The Adobe Design Achievement Awards are how students and emerging creators the world over get feedback, earn recognition, and build their creative networks so they can launch their careers.

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Jessica Gorbett
Projects
Modular Web ContentDesign SystemBearkat Course WebsiteTitle IX Report FormEmergency Web AlertsProgram Mark
Contact
jrgorbett@yahoo.com
/designer-jessica/
© 2024 Jessica Gorbett. All right reserved.