Meet UAT's Art Direction Professor, Dapzury Valenzuela

“As the Art Direction professor at the University of Advancing Technology (UAT), I run the Student Innovation Project (SIP) for all majors and I also teach in the Business Technology, Digital Marketing and Advertising Art degrees.”

Professor Dapzury Valenzuela has over 15+ years as a post-secondary educator and 20+ years of marketing and design industry experience. As a Student Innovation Project (SIP) professor at the University (UAT), she supports students throughout the process of developing their required claim-to-innovation technology-based product or service projects each student must complete in order to graduate. All Professor Valenzuela's courses are offered asynchronously, live (virtually), flexibly online and on campus at UAT in Tempe, Arizona. 

Valenzuela is also an experienced expert in the business, art, design and marketing industries. She also owns a Brand and Marketing Consultancy business where she helps startups and businesses in a variety of industries from STEM to fashion, with customized brand development, inbound marketing and visual content creation. 

Art Direction Professor, Dapzury Valenzuela who teaches Art and Design, Branding and Marketing, Business and Innovation and Student Innovation Project courses at University of Advancing Technology. 

A Curriculum Designed for Career Readiness

University of Advancing Technology provides a unique curriculum for students that focuses on more than just learning. UAT’s core values are integrated into the curriculum to prepare students for a position of leadership in the technology industry and any further studies. Professor Valenzuela explains the curriculum and why it’s so special for students and the UAT community. 

"Our Business Technology degree, for instance, is very unique in the fact that students are exposed to how they can come up with a tech-based product or service, regardless of their major, create a business and marketing plan and potentially patent their idea. That way, they can take it to market after graduation.”

UAT's curriculum prepares students for the real world through experiential learning. UAT also offers an open curriculum where students can take any UAT course with other majors, which encourages cross-functional team development, collaboration and a more well-rounded student experience. All UAT students also have access to all campus technology regardless of their major. 

UAT Professor, Dapzury Valenzuela poses with a student at the Student Innovation Project  (SIP) Showcase. 

What Makes a Great UAT Student?

Professor Valenzuela explains, “One of the ways in which we would describe a UAT student is someone that is truly passionate about technology. They've grown up with technology, they're excited about the future of technology and in their heads, they're already envisioning what that looks like. So, we create projects in the classroom that will help them iterate in small ways so that way they can eventually get to the point that they can reach their ultimate goal."

UAT's values are all about being fast, friendly, fun, smart, honorable, taking ownership, practicing leadership, always growing, being a team sport and having pride. When reviewing applications of prospective students, UAT looks specifically for these attributes when considering acceptance. Professor Valenzuela further elaborates on how leadership especially is a key aspect of a student's education. 

“The values of leadership, growth and pride are integrated into our curriculum and also into things that we do outside of UAT. Even students that are freshmen, I tell them you're a leader because there are aspiring middle schoolers that wish they can be in your place. So, make sure that you are representing yourself and the school in the right way because people are listening and very observant of that.”

If that sounds like you, UAT might be a great place for you. 

Dapzury Valenzuela with her students at their Student Innovation Project Showcase event.

Does UAT Prepare Students for the Next Step in Life? 

UAT's curriculum focuses on creating career readiness, completion, innovation, demonstrated mastery and superior graduates. Therefore, all students must complete a Student Innovation Project, as well as boards and other demonstrations in order to graduate. These activities prove that the required milestones have been achieved through their education at UAT. The UAT Student Services team also supports students as they search to find positions in their field, and throughout their careers.

That's great. But what if a student wants to continue on for their Master's or some form of higher learning first? 

"Students that achieve an undergraduate degree at UAT are absolutely prepared to take on a master's level program at any university, including UAT, or at any state college, because of the fact that we run such a unique curriculum within the degree programs themselves," explains Professor Valenzuela.

Is UAT the Right University for You? 

“The way in which UAT ties in all of the values that make this university so special in comparison to other universities and state colleges is that we are an alternative. It's because we are unique, and it's a culture that we've grown for many years. Identifying the right fit for our school is finding those students that seek a university that challenges them, that helps them grow and helps prepare them for the careers that they're pursuing after graduation," says Valenzuela. 

If you love technology, challenges, solving problems and wish to make an impact, we invite you to find your fit at UAT. Explore our innovative degree programs or reach out for more information from one of our friendly Admissions Advisors.

Ready to take the next step? Apply today.

Check out Professor Dapzury Valenzuela's full video interview here: