Deana M Marzocchi (she/her)
Associate Professor College of Arts & Sciences Design Providence
Biography and Expertise
Deana Marzocchi is chair of the Design Department and associate professor of design at Johnson & Wales University. With extensive professional experience in branding, visual communication, print design and marketing strategy, she specializes in developing strategic design solutions that connect organizations with their audiences.
Marzocchi’s academic work focuses on experiential education, community-engaged learning, curriculum innovation and student career preparation. She leads initiatives that integrate industry and nonprofit partnerships into the classroom, providing students with authentic design experiences that strengthen both creative and professional competencies. As department chair, she oversees curriculum development and assessment efforts that ensure programs remain responsive to emerging technologies, industry trends and workforce needs.
Her areas of interest include branding, design pedagogy, project-based learning and the role of design in community impact. Beyond the university, Marzocchi serves on the Board of Directors for Beacon Charter High School for the Arts and volunteers as a Confirmation instructor for high school students, supporting creativity, leadership development and student well-being through service and mentorship.
Education
BA
Rhode Island College
MS
Salve Regina University
BS
Salve Regina University
CPR, AED & First Aid Certification
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
Mental Health First Aid Certified
MHFA Connect
Design Champion
Design Department Faculty
Faculty of the Year Award
Johnson & Wales University / School of Engineering & Design
Community Service Learning Faculty Fellow
Johnson & Wales University
Adjunct Faculty of the Year Award
Johnson & Wales University
REVEAL 2026: Design and Digital Marketing Portfolio Showcase (Internet)
JWU NEWS
April 30, 2026
https://www.jwu.edu/news/2026/04/design-and-digital-marketing-students-present-portfolios-at-2026-reveal-showcase.html
Design and Entrepreneurship Students Help Startup with Growth (Internet)
JWU NEWS
December 15, 2025
https://www.jwu.edu/news/2025/12/design-entrepreneurship-students-help-startup.html
AI in the Classroom (Magazine)
JWU MAGAZINE
May 6, 2025
https://www.jwu.edu/news/stories/magazine/2025/spring/ai-in-the-classroom/index.html
How Group Projects Prepare You for the Work Place (Internet)
JWU Experiential Education News
March, 2025
https://www4.jwu.edu/news/2025/04/how-group-projects-prepare-you-for-the-workplace.html
Finalists Announced for 2025 Industry Excellence Awards Presented by Bar & Restaurant Expo (Magazine)
Nevada Business
February 24, 2025
https://nevadabusiness.com/2025/02/finalists-announced-for-2025-industry-excellence-awards-presented-by-bar-restaurant-expo/
How JWU Design Team Made Me a Better Designer (Internet)
JWU
April 29, 2024
https://www.jwu.edu/news/2024/04/how-jwu-design-team-made-me-a-better-graphic-designer.html
Standing on Her Shoulders: Building on the Legacy of Female Founders In celebration of Women’s History Month, Johnson & Wales University community members share how fellow Wildcat women have helped them grow personally and professional (Magazine)
RI Monthly
March 1, 2024
https://www.rimonthly.com/johnson-wales-female-founders/
Form Follows Function (Magazine)
JWU Alumni Magazine
October, 2022
https://www.jwu.edu/news/stories/magazine/2022/fall/design/index.html
Fall 2022 JWU Alumni Magazine / “Form Follows Function” (Magazine)
JWU Alumni Magazine
September, 2022
“Here are the best R.I. license plate designs that didn’t make the cut, according to experts” (Newspaper)
Providence Journal
April 12, 2022
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/04/13/ri-license-plates-experts-pick-best-designs-that-did-not-win/7275301001/
Faculty Feature (Internet)
Inside JWU
April 8, 2022
https://youtu.be/_CKZCQpzs80
Board Member / Secretary
DesignxRI Advisory Committee
American Institute of Graphic Arts Design Educators Community
Board Member / Beacon Charter School
East Providence High School Graphics Advisory Board Member
American Institute of Graphic Arts
Bar & Restaurant Expo Industry Excellence Awards
Competition Judging
Bar & Restaurant Expo Industry Excellence Awards
Bar & Restaurant Expo
On line
Bar & Restaurant Awards Judge
Competition Judging
Bar & Restaurant Judging Industry Excellence Awards
Bar & Restaurant Expo
Online Judging