Alumni Life Design Experience (Summer 2024)

Prior to joining the Life Design Team at Johns Hopkins, Heather Braun received a Ph.D. in English at Boston College, was awarded tenure at two universities, and taught literature, writing, and experiential learning courses for over a decade. Her interest in human-centered design began at Stanford’s d. school as a research fellow, where she applied design thinking principles to tackle complex problems such as building an escape room for a tenth grade English class; investigating social isolation alongside colleagues in Palo Alto and Trinidad; and assisting doctoral students to foster supportive communities and creativity in their research. Upon returning to the University of Akron, she created and led learning experiences for populations on and off campus, from  “Design Your Life” courses for underclassmen to a pilot program for incoming freshmen to design thinking workshops for local women leaders, graduate students, and Brazilian business professionals. 

Michael has been part of JHU’s Office of Integrated Learning and Life Design (ILLD) since Fall 2019, supporting students in exploring how their major may align with their industries/fields of interest through curriculum design scaffolding, teaching courses, and tailored advising. Before joining the ILLD, Michael was an administrator and faculty at Bennington College and Hampshire College respectively, Michael’s academic background is in urban and architectural theory having completed graduate coursework at University of California Berkeley and plans on completing his PhD dissertation in summer 2023. Michael has a BA in architectural studies from University of California Riverside.

In his spare time, he loves working on his Olympic lifting form and kettlebell routines. He is thrilled to be supporting JHU alumni in exploring their life and career interests and is committed to redesigning integrated learning and design thinking in ways that take into account the diverse lives of JHU students and alumni. If Mike could tell his college-self anything, he would say to consider reframing the exploration of aspirations and challenges, not as an individualistic and isolating experience, but as one that can be meaningfully supported through a community centered approach, leaning on alumni mentoring resources as one example.

Laura hails from Santiago de Compostela, a quaint town nestled in Galicia, Spain. She pursued her passion for language and literature, earning a BA in English Linguistics and Literature from the Universidad de Santiago de Compostela. Her academic journey took her across borders, spending 5 transformative years in Gothenburg, Sweden.

In 2021, Laura achieved a milestone by obtaining an M.F.A. in Illustration Practice from The Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. Her professional path has been as diverse as her educational pursuits. In Sweden, she imparted her linguistic skills as a Teacher of Spanish as a Second Language while also thriving as a freelancer. Upon her move to the United States, Laura delved into the realm of art education, serving as both an Art Educator and an Art Studio Manager.

Reflecting on her academic endeavors, Laura would advise her younger self with a message of reassurance and excitement. "You're destined to traverse numerous landscapes, encounter diverse souls, and navigate moments of uncertainty. Embrace the journey—it's bound to be exhilarating."

And here's a fascinating tidbit about Laura: she can speak four languages—Galician, Spanish, English, and Swedish!

Keira is a full-time celebration enthusiast focusing on what makes us revel and how communities come together to thrive. She is the Sr. Assistant Director of Life Design at Johns Hopkins leveraging creative spaces futurist and feminist lens, host for The Dinner Party, navigating conversations on grief, and performer in Philadelphia's Vaudevillian New Year Brigade.  

Bringing more than 14 years of experience in non-profits and higher education as a facilitator, career coach, and civic boundary spanner, she believes we learn who we are through a tenacious pursuit of self-knowledge, and the letting go of fear to offer our unique form of generosity. In the past she has worked for Grinnell College in service and social Innovation, Princeton University’s civic engagement, and with Friends General Conference expanding welcoming communities.