Catherine Penrod

Catherine Penrod is an Assistant Professor and Undergraduate Chair in the School of Visual Communication at Ohio University, where she teaches courses in user experience (UX/UI) design, visual communication business practices, and professional development for emerging designers. Her work sits at the intersection of design strategy, storytelling, and human-centered problem solving.

With a background in communication, marketing, business and education, Catherine is passionate about helping students connect creative thinking with real-world application. Her teaching emphasizes research-driven design, clear articulation of design decisions, accessibility, and ethical professional practice—skills essential for success across design, media, and technology industries.

In addition to teaching, Catherine is actively involved in curriculum development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and student mentorship. She serves on university-wide committees focused on teaching and learning innovation and digital accessibility, and she advises student organizations within the School of Visual Communication. Her approach to education is grounded in continuous improvement, reflective practice, and preparing students to confidently navigate evolving creative industries.

Catherine’s professional interests include UX/UI design, branding and marketing strategy, design research, and visual communication management, with a particular interest in global and cross-cultural design contexts. She is committed to fostering engaging learning environments and empowering students to tell meaningful stories through thoughtful, well-designed work.