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When Cassie Milicia, B.S. '23, M.S. '24,  began her studies at ��������, she had a clear idea of what she wanted to do ... or so she thought. Through ��������’s combined degree program in Emerging Media and Technology (EMAT), her perspective changed, leading her to new ways of thinking and creating. Today, she is using those same skills at one of the world’s most recognizable companies: Goodyear Tire & Rubber.

Cassie graduated with two degrees in Emerging Media and Technology (EMAT), earning both her bachelor’s and master’s through the combined degree program, allowing her to count nine credits of her master’s program toward her senior coursework in her undergraduate degree. As an undergraduate, she minored in User Experience (UX) and in her graduate program she specialized in creative technologies.

Now working as a Design System Architect at Goodyear, Cassie’s day-to-day work is very dynamic. “I do a little bit of coding, work with engineers and commonly build prototypes or proof of concepts as we’re working through architecture,” she explained. “I also manage parts of the UI/UX cycle, working with design teams, helping with feature development and collaborating with business teams to set goals and objectives. Every day looks a little different, but it’s always a mix of those things.”

Cassie says the EMAT program gave her an advantage in her career. “My role is all about thinking in systems, not just how the code works, but how people are going to interact with it,” she said. “I work with engineers in Germany, a designer in the UK, and my local team in Akron. Understanding those cultural and communication differences comes from experiencing the courses and the people at Kent.”  

Looking back, Cassie credits the combined degree program for opening her mind to new paths she hadn’t originally considered. “When I joined, I had a one-track mindset, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted to do. Over time, I started to see all these different directions I could take. The program helped me think about how technology impacts different people and industries. The combination program was really unique in that it allowed me to form my own path and build off my major in a way that was completely mine.”

Cassie also credits her professors who helped shape her journey. “Dr. Beam and Dr. Tang were huge mentors for me,” she said. “They guided me through my path, helping me figure out which courses aligned with where I wanted to go.” She also emphasized how valuable her project management course was, preparing her for the realities of working in a corporate environment. “That class really helped me understand the different steps of the process and the software life cycle, which is something I use every day now.”

Beyond academics, Cassie says the EMAT program challenged her to grow personally by broadening her understanding of how technology connects to the world around us. “I had classmates in aviation, fashion design and even museum wayfinding,” she said. “Before the program, I never thought about how technology plays into those fields.”  

When asked what advice she would give current or prospective EMAT students, she said, “Stay curious, don’t just focus on what you’re already good at. Put yourself into uncomfortable situations and seek out courses where you’re not skilled. I took a motion design course, and it ended up being really valuable. My boss was impressed that I could do video and create all this cool content.”  

From �������� classrooms to corporate innovation at Goodyear, Cassie’s story reflects the heart of EMAT. She proves that when you stay open to learning and exploring new paths, you can build a career that’s entirely your own.