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. |
Jack Hinegardner
President Jack is a 3rd year Electrical and Computer Engineering major. He says that "TxTPED has completely changed the trajectory of my life and all for the better. The community and passion have 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 who experience what he creates. |
Natalia Martin Rodezno
External Vice President 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 community and sense of family that its members have created. Natalia wants to go on to work in the creative design side of themed entertainment, and will be starting an internship with AOA the summer after graduating. |
Jon Siemon
Internal Vice President Jon is a 3rd year Mechanical Engineering major. He has been a TxTPED member and officer for almost three years and is "so grateful to be part of such an incredible organization." Jon says that "the friendship's I've made in this organization are the strongest I have, and the people I've met here inspire me every day." His goal is to pursue a career in themed entertainment, specifically focused on ride mechanical systems or creative design. |
Sandhya Iyer
Project Chair Sandhya is a 2nd year student majoring in Arts and Entertainment Technologies and minoring in Architectural Studies and Business. She’s been a part of TxTPED since freshman year and her favorite part of the organization is the people how everyone is so passionate about what they do. She says that the supportive community within TxTPED is what inspired her to take on leadership roles and accomplish more during her time at UT. Sandhya wants to go on to work on the creative side of Themed Entertainment, and her goal is to convey stories to audiences through a combination of design and technology. |
Catherine Capurso
Treasurer Catherine is a 1st year Mechanical Engineering major. She says that "it has been so fun being in TxTPED and working on the projects every semester! It has been a great way to get hands on experience and learn about all of the other members and their talents!" Catherine would one day like to work for Disney or Universal. |
Rogue Clawson
Secretary Rogue is a 1st year Design major. She joined TxTPED at the start of her Freshman year, and loves how it's given her a chance to learn more about the themed entertainment industry while collaborating with a group of incredibly talented people. Her goal is to work on the creative design side of themed entertainment. |
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. |
Ollie Mae Harrison
Social Chair Ollie Mae is a 1st year Mechanical Engineering major. She's been a part of TxTPED for a year now and has had so much fun since joining. She enjoys all of the fun projects we've done and feels like she's found her people who share common interests with her. Her goal is to become a ride engineer working with audio-animatronics or rollercoasters. |
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! |