Jennifer May

Jennifer May is an Adjunct Associate Professor and the director of Designmatters at ArtCenter College of Design, where she leads initiatives in design for social innovation. She oversees cross-sector partnerships, curricular development, and special projects in global health, public policy, sustainable development, and social entrepreneurship. She teaches courses such as DesignMatters Fellowship and Designing Social Enterprise.

Education:

• BA, Emerson College
• MBA, USC Marshall School of Business

Her research and professional work focus on innovative design practices that address complex social challenges. As a leader in transdisciplinary design education, she works closely with faculty, department chairs, and external partners to create impactful learning experiences. Her expertise lies in bridging design with social enterprise and policy innovation.

While no recent articles are listed, her editorial leadership in the award-winning LEAP Dialogues series reflects a strong contribution to the discourse on career pathways and pedagogy in design for social innovation, particularly in shaping emerging practices and educational frameworks.

Scientific Awards:

• Award-winning publication: LEAP Dialogues: Career Pathways in Design for Social Innovation

Jennifer May has served as an adviser for transdisciplinary studios and has led educational initiatives supported by external partnerships and special projects. Her leadership in publications and curriculum development demonstrates sustained engagement with grants and academic funding, though specific grants are not detailed. She was a Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab Society and Business Fellow, Forté Fellow, and vice president of Programs for Net Impact during her MBA, reflecting early leadership in social enterprise.

She leads the Designmatters department, an active hub for social innovation at ArtCenter, which functions as both a curricular and extracurricular platform. The department fosters collaborative studios, publishes influential open-source educational materials, and engages in global challenges through design thinking and cross-sector collaboration.