Lassonde Studios MakeSpace

The goal of the Make Space is to lower the barrier of entry to learn and practice prototyping and project development skills for University of Utah students in all majors. As Student Chair, I oversee the program and work closely with Lassonde Studios administrative members to ensure that all Make Program missions and objectives are executed well in a timely fashion. I set and enforce expectations in all facets of the program, including logistical and cultural topics.

I am incredibly grateful for the makespace and passionate about the impact it has on University of Utah students. I believe it is one of the greatest resources on campus and has cultivated my curiosity and desire to learn.

In my current position, my primary responsibilities include:

• Address all conduct issues and complaints appropriately, whether from tool mentors, staff or students.
• The first point of contact for all equipment failures.
• Oversee the training of all leadership positions, ensuring continuous learning and team growth.
• Approve all purchase proposals and track budget alignment.
• Prepare recruitment efforts and standards for the following year.

Tool Mentor

As a tool mentor, you are the first point of contact between students and tools. Alike most customer service jobs, being attentive and practicing good listening are key. Many students coming into the MakeSpace are inexperienced, tool mentors teach students about our tools and can offer advice on projects students are working on. Showcase exemplary customer service skills

Prototyping Director

As prototyping director, my role focused on the accessibility of tools outside of the woodshop. I regularly did maintenance and employed problem-solving techniques to solve issues with various tools, including our 3D printers, our regular and industrial sewing machines and our laser cutter. I maintained inventory and proposed solutions and ideas to better the space for students.

Design Software and Techniques

Through all of my roles, I've played been close to the prototyping process in a physical space. This has allowed me to develop skills in CAD software and Illustrator. I have also gained physical design skills when working with my own projects and lending help to students. Some of these skills include woodworking and metalworking skills, soldering and sewing.

Tool Maintenance and Creative Problem Solving

In being a point of contact for machine failure, I've developed crucial troubleshooting abilities across various equipment types. I've learned to diagnose issues systematically, perform regular maintenance procedures, and implement creative solutions when standard approaches fail.

The Importance of Personal Initiative

I have learned the value of identifying and updating outdated systems. I've learned to recognize when long-standing organizational procedures no longer serve their intended purpose and require thoughtful revision. By taking the initiative to evaluate existing workflows, documentation, and training materials, I've developed skills in implementing more efficient processes that better serve current needs. This experience has shown me how important it is to balance respect for established methods with the courage to propose and champion necessary changes that improve operations and user experiences.