SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 — Marie Cohan ’92, a first-generation UTSA graduate, earned her B.B.A. in Accounting and Information Systems from the Carlos Alvarez College of Business. She has since leveraged her degree to build a successful career in IT project management.
Cohan currently serves as the statewide digital accessibility program administrator for the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR), located in Austin, Texas. She credits much of her success to the education and community involvement opportunities she received at UTSA.
As a Roadrunner, Cohan excelled academically and socially, participating in student clubs and extracurricular activities on campus. One of the most formative experiences during her time at UTSA was working as the business manager for the student newspaper, The Paisano. This role came at a time of significant change in the accounting industry, as it transitioned from manual ledger books to early digital systems. Cohan gained hands-on experience by helping to migrate data to these new systems, which became essential to the work she performed in her early career.
“UTSA provided me with the support and resources I needed to turn my potential into a successful career. The combination of business and technology studies, along with the hands-on experiences I had, like working at the student newspaper, gave me a solid foundation and the confidence to navigate the challenges of the IT industry,” Cohan explained. “UTSA taught me the skills I needed, and it helped me build a network and a sense of community that has been invaluable throughout my career.”
Cohan entered the workforce initially focused on building a career in financial accounting. Over the years, she transitioned between roles in accounting and technology, reflecting the dual focus of her education.
By 2012, Cohan’s career path led her to join the staff of the DIR, where she has held several roles. In her current role, she works to ensure that state-run digital platforms are accessible to users with disabilities, collaborating with digital accessibility officers across various agencies.
In recognition of the UTSA alumna’s dedication and impact in the field of IT project management, she received the Outstanding Women in Texas Government Professional Development Award, an accolade highlighting her commitment to professional growth and her contributions to the DIR. Cohan's leadership and advocacy for digital accessibility have set her apart as a key figure in Texas government, underscoring her influence and the respect she has earned among her peers.
Beyond her professional achievements, Cohan has served as a dedicated volunteer in the Austin community for over two decades. Her commitment to service is deeply rooted in her family’s tradition of military service and her personal belief in the importance of giving back. She has mentored young girls, provided free accounting services, and served on numerous professional and educational boards. Through her involvement with Austin Women in Technology, she has helped create a supportive network for women in the tech industry, emphasizing their importance.
“Supporting other women has always been a priority for me because I believe that our collective success depends on how well we uplift and empower each other,” Cohan said. “It’s not just about advancing in our own careers, but about creating opportunities for the next generation of women to thrive in environments that might have once held us back. By building strong networks and being there for one another, we can break down barriers and pave the way for future leaders.”
Looking back, Cohan credits UTSA with providing the foundation she needed to build a successful career. The combination of business and technology studies at UTSA equipped her with the critical thinking and strategic skills necessary to navigate the rapidly evolving IT landscape.
Today, as she continues to lead in her field and contribute to her community, Cohan remains a proud UTSA alumna, eager to help the next generation of Roadrunners succeed.
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Join the conversation around the current status of voting rights in Texas at this flagship event produced by the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project in honor of their 50th anniversary.
Downtown CampusThere are many citation managers. Which one is right for you? This workshop will explain what a citation manager is and how it can help you organize your citations, insert citations as you write your paper, and generate your bibliography. If you plan to attend one of our hands-on Endnote®, Zotero®, or BibTeX® / LaTex® workshops, we recommend that you start with this overview.
Virtual EventJoin us for a recital featuring a variety of Hispanic music from Spain and Latin America. The evening’s entertainment will include pieces by UTSA faculty, the UTSA Mariachi Los Paisanos, and special guest artists including the director of Texas A&M International University's Mariachi Internacional.
UTSA Recital HallJoin Dr. Rachel Yvonne Cruz, Assistant Professor of Mexican American Studies, for an interactive discussion on how music can challenge patriarchy, sexism, and colonialism through a guided discussion and live acoustic performance.
Assembly Room, 4th Floor (4.04.22), John Peace Library, Main CampusIn this hands-on workshop, participants will learn to setup an EndNote library, save references and PDFs, and automatically create and edit a bibliography. Attendees are encouraged, but not required, to have EndNote already installed on a personal computer.
Virtual EventAre you required to use LaTeX for writing your research papers? This workshop is divided into two parts: an introduction to Zotero, a citation management tool, and a demonstration of the features of Overleaf, a free online LaTeX editor.
Virtual EventCome listen to the UTSA Jazz Ensemble at a free event.
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