WKU News

For Ray V. Mendoza Jr., every step of his Hilltopper journey is guided by a desire to encourage and support others. 

“Part of it is the military – you don’t work alone, you work as a team – and part of it is my own upbringing as an older sibling taking care of my brothers and my mom.”

As a non-traditional and first-generation college student, Ray accumulated a wide range of life experiences before coming to the Hill. Through multiple military deployments, raising a family with his wife, fighting forest fires in California and more, he brings a unique perspective to the classroom that is rooted in real-world experience. 

Originally from Porterville, Calif., Ray’s service in the Marine Corps and the U.S. Army took him around the world. He engaged in multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, gained a working knowledge of two languages, Farsi and Dari, and visited Normandy, France, to assist with preparations for the 75th Anniversary D-Day commemorative parachute jumps. Ray retired from the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) based out of Fort Campbell, Ky., in December 2022. After multiple overseas military deployments, he sought a career that would enable him to stay closer to home.  

“My wife and kids have been my constant supporters during the good times and the hard times of my service and during my retirement transition,” Ray shared.

FROM A GOOGLE SEARCH TO THE HILL

After what seemed like an eternity of exploring various career options, Ray discovered something that blended creativity, a people-first mindset and cutting-edge technology through a few lucky Google searches. 

“I knew I wanted to work in tech and was looking for something that would fit my personality. After a few Google searches, I came across User Experience (UX) Design. Another Google search is how I learned WKU had a new UX Design program. The thing that really jumped out at me was that UX was in the Art and Design program. Not only would I learn UX Design, but I’d also learn how to paint, draw, sculpt and study art history, among other things,” Ray explained.

WKU’s UX Design curriculum emphasizes crafting dynamic interactive experiences across products, devices and platforms. With a focus on applied learning experiences, the program provides Hilltoppers with the tools to shape the future while analyzing design trends and exploring historical context. The final piece fell into place when Ray traveled to Bowling Green to explore the Hill in person. 

“I fell in love with WKU’s campus during a visit. I met with Kristina Arnold, the Art and Design Department Head, and our conversation really sold me on choosing WKU and pursuing my college education. Honestly, when I knew I wanted to go to college, I could have gone online, but I didn’t want that. If I was going to school, I wanted the full college experience.”

Commuting to campus from his home in Logan County, Ray values the opportunity to get out of the house, engage with new people and cultivate a professional network to supplement his military/government connections.

“I’m not living in a key hub for those networks, so it doesn’t do anything for me at this distance. The WKU alumni network is a lot bigger, and to a degree a lot stronger,” Ray explained.

For Ray, connections and mentorship are essential to building a network. From creating a sense of camaraderie on team assignments to encouraging classmates to pursue ambitious internship opportunities, he aims to meaningfully engage with fellow Hilltoppers and share insights from his years of experience. 

“A lot of it is from my time in service, where no one was alone, and we operated as a team. When I was that age, I didn’t have an adult or authority figure showing me ‘the way.’ I've learned many lessons the hard way,” Ray noted. 

During his first year on the Hill, Ray helped pave the way for a fellow Hilltopper to land an internship. While collaborating on a class project, he discovered a group member’s strong interest in Tampa, Fla., as a career launching point. Reaching out to members of his military-connected network in Tampa, he facilitated an introduction to a company. That recommendation also helped his advertising major classmate launch a successful post-graduation job search in Tampa. 

For Ray, who frequently mentored 18 to 20-year-olds while in the military, it is all about giving people the support and insights that he wished he had at their age. 

As Department Head Kristina Arnold noted, “Ray is emerging as a student leader - determined to take every opportunity, both in his courses and beyond, as he investigates and imagines what is possible. He is developing his own pathway, and importantly, encouraging others along the way.”

CONNECTING THE CLASSROOM TO A CAREER

Ray is seizing every opportunity to learn and grow as a student while creating his path forward. As he completes assignments and engages in hands-on learning experiences, he is after far more than a good grade. He seeks out ways to connect what he is learning in the classroom to his future career in UX. 

“It’s great to know how this applies in class. But I also want to know how this applies outside of this building. How does this relate to the career field?” Ray explained. 

He stresses that working on assignments and applying classroom knowledge is critical to his education. The process develops his skills and sharpens his ability to independently problem-solve - just as he would be expected to do in the professional world. 

“You have to show up with your best work at the deadline and iterate from there,” Ray stated.

Leah Spalding, an Assistant Professor in the WKU Department of Art & Design, highlighted how Ray’s viewpoint is benefiting his educational journey. 

“Ray is more than a student—he is a lifelong learner. On a daily basis, he strives to improve for the sake of his own edification, asking how he could have done the best possible job on a particular assignment; or seeking to make connections between his classes; or tying theories into real-world practices. He has an exemplary work ethic and a true thirst for knowledge.”

Ray credits that encouragement and collaboration with helping him grow as a designer.

“Everything I’m pursuing is new to me, absolutely new. I ask my professors constantly about classwork and how to apply it in the workforce. They have been patient with me and have dedicated lots of their time to answering my questions or providing me with avenues to research. And I learn so much from my classmates who are really good artists or just really creative people. I may not understand everything, but when I look at the output, I ask myself: ‘How did they come up with this?’”

CREATING NEW PATHWAYS 

For Ray, the ability to create art and connect with others is a highlight of the program.

“The secondary benefits of pursuing this degree include the therapeutic benefits the classes offer me as a retired service member. I draw, sketch or paint every day since I started at WKU. I have a group of veteran buddies at another university who are also in Art and Design programs, and we share our art and ideas daily,” Ray noted.

Ray also connects with the campus community through the Potter College of Arts & Letters (PCAL) Dean’s Council of Students (DCS). As a member of DCS, he serves as a student ambassador for PCAL and the UX Design program. Hilltoppers in DCS connect with prospective students, participate in university-wide events and volunteer during the annual PCAL Fall Festival. Initially, Ray questioned whether he could balance the time commitment of a student organization alongside schoolwork and family life. Through conversations with Kristina Arnold and a senior member of DCS, he chose to apply and see what happened. 

“I applied last semester, and this semester is my first as a member. I chose this program to highlight PCAL and UX Design, while also encouraging more veterans to pursue Art and Design. This is important to me as I am pursuing a degree and a job that is a complete 180 from my time in the military,” Ray shared. 

Through these opportunities, Ray has gained not only experience, but also a renewed sense of purpose and gratitude.

“I never thought I’d attend school or that I’d be on track to earn a college degree. I barely graduated from high school. I consider myself blessed to wake up and attend class every day. I don’t have to go to school; I get to go to school. I’m learning something new, and I am setting a positive example for my kids and my family.”

For Ray, the best part of his WKU experience also involves his family. His wife began taking classes in the spring of 2025, pursuing a degree in Psychology. They have already taken one class together and hope to share more next semester. 

Looking ahead, Ray’s next chapter may include pursuing a Gilman Scholarship or a short study abroad opportunity. 

“I’ve deployed all over the world. This would be the first time I’d be a student. It’s a completely different environment with a different impact,” Ray explained.

After graduation, Ray hopes to work as a UX designer for a small to mid-sized company for a few years, focusing on collaborating with clients and gaining more experience. Ultimately, he would love to create his own company.

“You don’t have to stay in this box that you’ve been put in or created for yourself. You can pick up and leave and do something else. Getting away from your comfort zone is scary, but it’s also worthwhile,” Ray shared.

As Kelley Coppinger, a Professional-in-Residence with the WKU Department of Art & Design, noted, “Ray’s strength now lies not in strategy or rank, but in his ability to slow down, observe and encourage others to find confidence in their own creative voices. His journey reminds us all that courage takes many forms — and sometimes, the bravest thing a person can do is begin again.”

—

To learn more about the WKU User Experience (UX) Design program, visit https://www.wku.edu/ux/