Cynthia Sodari
Manager, Creative Services
"The longer I’ve lived in Tucson, the more I’ve come to appreciate it as well. Tucson has its quirks and character that you really can’t find anywhere else."
Please share a little bit about where you grew up and what brought you to Tucson (if you were raised here, what is something that you enjoy about Tucson?).
I was born and raised in Douglas, Arizona, a small border town about two hours east of Tucson. I moved to Tucson in 2013 to attend the University of Arizona College of Fine Arts, where I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design in 2016. Before moving to Tucson, I attended and graduated from Cochise College with an associate degree in Studio Art and another in Sociology.
I was fortunate to begin working at Cochise College right after graduation as an Office Specialist in the Career Services Center, and later I joined the TRIO Student Support Services Team as an Administrative Assistant. Cochise and Douglas, in general, hold such a special place in my heart. It’s a great community college and a great place to grow up. That said, the longer I’ve lived in Tucson, the more I’ve come to appreciate it as well. Tucson has its quirks and character that you really can’t find anywhere else.
How long have you worked at the college or university, and can you share a little bit about your job within the college?
I’ve worked at the University since 2013. When I first moved here, I was lucky enough to land a student employee position in the Financial Services Office. My administrative assistant background made that transition easy.
After graduating in 2016, I stayed on full-time as an Administrative Assistant in Financial Services. About a year later, I decided it was time to use my Graphic Design degree and began applying for jobs in the creative field. I landed my first official design job with the UA Campus Store and Student Unions in a hybrid position where I split my time between both departments. It was intense but incredibly rewarding. I had the privilege of working with two very talented teams that shaped me into the designer I am today.
In 2018, I was promoted to Visual Designer at the Campus Store, where I stayed until 2022. During that time, our unit eventually merged with the Student Unions and Parking & Transportation. In February 2022, after a two-round interview process, I joined the College of Education’s Marketing Team as Creative Services Manager, and I’ve been here ever since. This role has been an interesting shift—from a fast-paced, product-heavy environment like the Campus Store to a more academically focused position. It’s been a learning experience, but one I’ve enjoyed. I’ve met some great people, learned more about marketing and communications beyond design, and had the chance to manage and mentor a wonderful team of student employees. Honestly, I’ve learned as much from them as they have from me.
"I’ve met some great people, learned more about marketing and communications beyond design, and had the chance to manage and mentor a wonderful team of student employees. Honestly, I’ve learned as much from them as they have from me."
What's one part of your job that people might not realize or understand about what you do daily?
My job has a lot of moving parts. I think people assume I spend all day designing in Photoshop, but that’s only a fraction of what I do. My role spans three main areas: creative, communications, and marketing.
Yes, I design flyers and graphics, but I might also need to stop what I’m doing to build out an email newsletter in Trellis, hop on a quick call with the UA Brand Equity Team to review a logo request, or photograph a College event. Sometimes I’m even taking headshots for staff and faculty or creating content for our social media accounts. (By the way, if you don’t already follow us, you should: @uazeducation on all platforms. 😊)
On top of that, I try to be as present as possible for my student team. If there’s something I can help them with or teach, I always make time for it.
If there's a favorite place you enjoy on campus and around Tucson, please share what makes it special.
Picking a favorite spot on campus is tough. It’s a tie between the UA Museum of Art and the Center for Creative Photography. Both are must-sees; the CCP, in particular, always has amazing exhibits, and it’s a great escape from the heat.
Choosing a favorite place in Tucson is just as tough. I love walking around 4th Avenue and Downtown since there’s always something fun to do or discover. But I also really enjoy being outdoors. Tumamoc Hill is one of my favorite places; there’s nothing like watching the sunrise from the top, then heading to Barista del Barrio for breakfast burritos.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I love spending time with friends and family. I’m especially close with my niece and nephew, who live here in Tucson, and spoiling them is one of my favorite things. I also have two nephews back in Douglas who get the same treatment whenever we’re together.
I also enjoy creating art. I paint in oils when I can find the time, and more recently, I’ve gotten into fiber arts like embroidery and beadwork. Outside of that, I love baking and cooking. Fun fact: I even took a cake decorating class in college and became certified through the Wilton company.
