Educator. Researcher. Community Builder.

Raelin is a seasoned leader in human-centered research and design, recognized for her innovative teaching, user experience research expertise, and commitment to inclusive, applied learning.

Raelin Sawka Musuraca is an Associate Teaching Professor and Director of the Master of Human-Computer Interaction (MHCI) program at Carnegie Mellon University’s Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII). With over three decades of experience spanning academia and industry, she brings a blend of instructional innovation, user experience research, and strategic leadership to her work. Since joining CMU in 2018, she has developed and taught courses in user-experience research, service design, and product innovation, earning recognition, including the Joel and Ruth Spira Teaching Award and the Wimmer Faculty Fellowship, for her contributions to teaching excellence and curriculum development.

Before transitioning to academia full-time, Raelin held senior roles in UX strategy and research at organizations including BNY Mellon, American Eagle Outfitters, and her digital firm, Sharp Creative, where the team served clients in the financial, retail, industrial, healthcare, and consumer product sectors. Her professional background informs her teaching, particularly in project-based and industry-partnered courses that prepare students for real-world challenges in technology and product development.

Beyond the classroom, Raelin is engaged in institutional service and thought leadership. She leads curriculum planning efforts and supports corporate partnerships through the MHCI program and CMU’s ENAiBLE initiative. A passionate advocate for inclusive, applied learning, she continues to shape the future of HCI education through mentorship, research, and community engagement.