Texas Theme Park Engineering and Design (TxTPED), is an organization that's dedicated to exposing students to the opportunities within the Themed Entertainment industry, as well as building semesterly projects for the UT community.
We host meetings with speakers from themed entertainment companies, participate in design competitions, go on behind-the-scenes tours of theme parks, escape rooms, and more! Our mission is to support students from all majors to explore their options within the themed entertainment industry and discover atypical career options within their degrees. |
Olivia Pierce
President Olivia is a 4th year student majoring in Mechanical Engineering and minoring in Business and Media and Entertainment Industries. She’s been a part of TxTPED since her freshman year, and says that “from my first week of school my freshman year to now, TxTPED has been a big part of what made UT feel like home to me. I've always loved the community this org built and can't wait to continue building the culture of TxTPED this semester as president!” After a fantastic internship with Universal Creative's live show team this past summer, Olivia hopes to continue creating memories for guests wherever her love of themed entertainment takes her! |
Jack Hinegardner
External Vice President Jack is a 3rd year Electrical and Computer Engineering major. He says “TxTPED has completely changed the trajectory of my life and all for the better. The community and passion has uplifted and inspired me to do amazing things during my time at UT and beyond.” Jack’s goal is to use the skills and knowledge he learns as an electrical and computer engineer to bring feelings of joy and wonder to those that experience what he makes. |
Kendall Duggar
Internal Vice President Kendall is a 4th year Mechanical Engineering major. She has been a part of TxTPED since the beginning of her freshman year and loves how the community is so uplifting and supportive. Kendall eventually wants to work as a fire protection engineer. |
Natalia Martin Rodezno
Project Chair Natalia is a 4th year student majoring in Technical Theatre with an emphasis in Scenic Design, and minoring in Business. She has been in TxTPED for 3 years, and says that she loves the friendships and connections that she has made through this organization, and she’s so excited to see the wonderful work we create this semester. Natalia wants to go on to work in the creative design and fabrication of Themed Entertainment. |
Preston Riewski
Treasurer Preston is a sophomore majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He started with TxTPED his freshman year and absolutely fell in love with it - he loves the atmosphere and the direct impact he could make on the club, and really appreciates the community that has been created at TxTPED. Preston wants to eventually work in the rollercoaster engineering and design field. |
Sandhya Iyer
Secretary Sandhya is a 2nd year student majoring in Arts and Entertainment Technologies and minoring in Architectural Studies. She’s been a part of TxTPED since freshman year and her favorite part of the organization is how everyone is so passionate about what they do. She’s looking forward to bringing TxTPED’s next escape room to life and watching guests experience it. Sandhya eventually wants to work in the Themed Entertainment industry in creative/portfolio development, new experience design, and new technology integration. |
Nate Vutpakdi
Outreach Chair Nate is a 3rd year Mechanical Engineering and Plan II major. Nate says “I joined this club on a whim freshman year. Little did I know it would become one of the communities I love most on campus.” His goal is to do work that makes people smile, whatever it is, and Themed Entertainment is a great way to achieve that. |
Austin Livingston
Social Chair Austin is a 4th year student obtaining a BA in Theatre in Dance with an emphasis in Scenic Design. He loves everyone in TxTPED because of how close he can get with his friends and how he can pursue his passion while having fun at the same time! His goal is to transport audiences through scenery to a fully themed world, and he’s happy with whatever job helps him do so. |
In 2022, we officially changed our name from Texas Theme Park Engineering Group (TxTPEG) to Texas Theme Park Engineering and Design (TxTPED).
This change was discussed with our members during the Spring of 2022 and implemented over the Summer of 2022. Our organization is welcoming to ALL majors, not just engineers. The new name helps reflect that, and we hope it will continue to help us create a more inclusive environment for everyone with a passion for theme parks and themed entertainment! |