New Faculty Brings Social Justice and Design Experts to the Classroom

In Winter 2025, the Institute for Innovation and Global Engagement welcomed Tacoma native and MIT graduate Dr. Jaleesa Trapp to its Innovation and Design Minor. Dr. Trapp holds a PhD and Master’s from the MIT Media Lab’s Lifelong Kindergarten group. She earned her bachelor’s in Human-Centered Design and Engineering from UW and previously taught high school computer science at the Science and Math Institute (SAMI) and the School of Industrial Design Engineering and Art (iDEA).

Dr. Trapp’s first class this quarter is TGID 320, a studio-based class focused on situated, practical, and adaptive design. In this course, students work in small teams on design projects that develop innovative solutions to challenges arising within the campus, local community, and beyond. Through her professional network, she brought in clients for the students to base their projects around and work with as stakeholders. To enhance the student experience, Dr. Trapp also invited design experts to share their insights and give advice on the student’s projects.

The first guest speaker, Dr. Alexis Hope, is a designer dedicated to joyful, community-driven experiences. She is the Creative Director of TEN FWD, co-founder of focused, and holds a PhD from the MIT Media Lab. She also leads Trash Club, a series of gatherings where people prototype with recycled materials, and co-founded the “Make the Breast Pump Not Suck” Hackathon. During her guest session, Dr. Hope shared invaluable insights on design values and the impactful work behind the “Make the Breast Pump Not Suck” project at the MIT Media Lab. Students also had the opportunity to seek direct advice on their own design projects and learn best practices for collaborating with community clients.

The second guest speaker, Dr. Sasha Costanza-Chock (she/they/ella/elle), is a researcher and designer focused on community-led social justice and ecological survival. They specialize in networked social movements, media organizing, and design justice. They also serve on the Steering Committee of the Design Justice Network and have authored two books, including Design Justice: Community-Led Practices to Build the Worlds We Need (MIT Press, 2020). During their class session, Dr. Costanza-Chock spoke about their work and led a Q&A discussion. Attendees posed thought-provoking questions, leading to a fascinating discussion on the tension between UX principles and business goals, accessibility in design, sustaining long-term community partnerships, and creating lasting impact with short-term student design projects.

Over the course of the quarter, Innovation and Design students had the opportunity to see Dr. Trapp in action and experience the wealth of knowledge and expertise she brings to the institution. We look forward to the future contributions she will bring to our students and the broader community!