FELLOWS
CECILIA NGUYEN
B.A. in Cognitive Science
Rice University Class of 2026
STATEMENT
In addition to participating in the Social Design Studio seminar taught by Dr. Boyer, I've previously worked in social design opportunities with Dr. Jahja and Dr. Stiff at RMIT Vietnam exploring Ho Chi Minh City's streetscapes in the lens of urban flow and interned at Suchee Studios, a social design consultancy. During my time at Rice, I've engaged with many other fields of design, including graphic design and product design. My journey with design both visually and in process relates to a deep passion for community and understanding how communities engage with the lived environment around them. Being a part of the Social Design Lab pushes me to reimagine how I can use design to empower people and advocate for sustainable development.
MELISSA TARIQ RODRIGUEZ
B.A. in Social Policy Analysis
B.A. in Finance
Rice University Class of 2026
STATEMENT
With a background in social policy, problem-solving, and visual storytelling, I’m especially drawn to the intersection of design and systems thinking — how we visualize and shape structures that impact people’s everyday lives. Through Dr. Boyer's Social Design Studio seminar, I explored how design methods can help reimagine societal structures in more creative and compassionate ways. One project I worked on involved rethinking Rice's student center by gathering student input and identifying priorities rooted in lived experience. I'm excited to bridge analysis with impactful action through my work in the Social Design lab.