HCI Educator

Raelin blends decades of industry and academic experience to lead, teach, and inspire the next generation of human-computer interaction innovators.

Raelin Sawka Musuraca is an educator, researcher, and community builder whose career spans more than three decades at the intersection of human-centered research, design, and strategy. She currently serves as Associate Teaching Professor and Director of the Master of Human-Computer Interaction (MHCI) program at Carnegie Mellon University’s Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII). Her academic work is guided by the belief that students should not only master rigorous research methods, but also cultivate critical thinking, empathy, and the ability to translate user insights into business value.

Before her full transition to academia, Raelin held leadership roles in industry, designing and executing user experience and strategy initiatives across the financial, retail, healthcare, and consumer product sectors. She worked at BNY Mellon, American Eagle Outfitters, and led her own digital firm, Sharp Creative, consulting for clients in diverse domains. These experiences inform her teaching, especially in project-based and industry‐partnered coursework, where she helps students navigate real-world challenges in product development.

At Carnegie Mellon, Raelin is also deeply involved in institutional and programmatic leadership. She drives curriculum planning, supports partnerships with industry via initiatives like ENAiBLE, and plays a vital mentoring role within HCII. In recognition of her dedication to teaching and curriculum innovation, she has been awarded honors such as the Joel and Ruth Spira Teaching Award and a Wimmer Faculty Fellowship.