Fashion designer pursues bold career change thanks to ASU-Uber partnership

Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2024 graduates.

Danielle Marie Ochoa is drawn to fabrics — their look, their craftsmanship and their meaning.

The Lincoln, Nebraska, native initially studied fashion design and textiles at the Savannah College of Art and Design and, upon graduating with her degree, worked as a designer in Philadelphia for a large brand.

While the work fueled her creative practice, Ochoa felt something was lacking. She kept thinking back to her experience studying abroad in Oaxaca, Mexico.

“I found my passion in Mesoamerican art history and textiles,” she said. “I knew I wanted to further explore my interest in textiles, art and material culture.”

How could the East Coast-based designer pursue her passion for Indigenous and pre-Hispanic art history?

The solution came from an unexpected source: Uber.

The Uber-ASU partnership creates an opportunity for qualifying drivers, couriers and family members to receive 100% tuition coverage at Arizona State University toward a four-year undergraduate degree online.

At the age of 21, Ochoa became a driver, leveraging Uber's flexibility and the reliable income it provided to transition from student to entry-level designer. But it wasn’t until the pandemic and her temporary furlough that she learned about Uber’s partnership with ASU.

“I was feeling at a dead end with my career, so I started researching art history programs, learned about the Uber partnership with ASU, and I applied,” Ochoa said.

Applying to the online art history program was easy. Ochoa received her acceptance the same month she went back to work. Taking classes through ASU Online gave her the flexibility she needed to maintain her work schedule while driving with Uber.

“I started as a part-time student and was able to finish my degree in three years,” she said. “Being able to continue my education while working my full-time job allowed me to invest in my future while not having to worry about student loan debt.”

The hard work paid off.

“This fall, I landed a curatorial internship at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) and will earn my second bachelor’s degree in art history with a minor in anthropology,” she said.

SMoCA will allow her to expand on her skills, but there’s more to come for Ochoa, who is already planning to enroll in a graduate art history program next fall.

We spoke with Ochoa about her field of study and experience with online education.

Question: What was your “aha” moment when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?

Answer: In my first undergraduate experience, through a study abroad experience in Oaxaca, Mexico, I found my passion in Mesoamerican art history. During my time in Oaxaca, I learned from indigenous leaders and art historians about pre-Hispanic art objects and was able to study at important pre-Hispanic sites such as Monte Alban and Mitla.

Throughout this experience, I was exposed to textile traditions and learned weaving, dyeing and textile structures that were used in the past and which carry on today. These experiences pushed my interest in learning about Native American and Indigenous material culture and questioning categorical notions of “craft” and “folk” in museums today.

Gaining experience as a fashion and textile designer only strengthened my passion for pursuing further study. The fashion industry opened my eyes to the real-world importance of cultural awareness and the role of museums in public education.

After starting my degree at ASU, I took on a leadership role and co-founded a Latinx/e employee resource group (ERG) at the company where I worked to promote advocacy and ethical design practices in respect to artistic traditions from Indigenous communities.

Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU Online that surprised you or changed your perspective?

A: I was not the only student with a full-time job in many of my classes. Everyone came from a different background with unique perspectives and this changed my perspective on what education is. Everyone chooses to study for their own reason, and it was inspiring to hear the stories and educational goals of my peers.

Q: Why did you choose ASU Online?

A: Arizona State University had professors who were specialists in Latin American, pre-Hispanic and Native American art and anthropology that I was able to learn from and connect with online.

The online program allowed me to continue working my full-time and part-time jobs in Philadelphia while gaining my second degree. Flexibility was extremely important to me as I worked a very demanding job. I was able to build my schedule so that I was a part-time student during demanding times at work and a full-time student during the slower months.

I would recommend ASU Online to other working professionals who want to transition into another phase of their career or step into another industry.

Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU Online?

A: One of the most impactful courses I took was Decolonizing Museums with Associate Professor Cecilia Fajardo-Hill. The class changed my perspective on what the museum space could be and exposed me to the ways institutions can start to break down stereotypical narratives and uplift descendant communities. After taking the class, I was inspired to explore the options in museum studies and incorporate decolonial frameworks into my research and future career.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

A: Take full advantage of the opportunities, resources and connections available to you while in university! Build relationships with your professors, and don’t be afraid to ask them questions or for advice to improve your work. As an online student, it was beneficial for me to explore all the resources ASU had to offer, and I would encourage other online students to see what is available and do the same.

Q: What was your favorite spot for power studying?

A: In South Philly, there is a coffee shop down the street called Ultimo Coffee, which kept me caffeinated and hydrated as I powered through difficult readings and prepared essays for my classes.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: I would fund K–12 public education. My mother was a teacher for 35 years, and I watched firsthand how important funding public schools is in building successful educational communities with passionate educators and motivated students. Teaching should not be a thankless job. Our teachers educate and inspire the next generation of leaders, and we should be committed to promoting high-quality K–12 education regardless of location or socioeconomic status.