Katya Gorecki, PhD
About Katya Gorecki, PhD
Katya Gorecki, PhD, is a Senior User Experience Researcher currently working at NWEA and buildJUSTLY. She has a strong background in educational research and design, having previously held positions at Duke University and the University of Michigan.
Work at NWEA
Katya Gorecki serves as a Senior User Experience Researcher at NWEA, a position she has held since 2021. In this role, she focuses on enhancing user experience through research methodologies that inform product development. Her work involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure that user needs are met effectively within educational assessment tools.
Education and Expertise
Katya Gorecki earned her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis from Duke University, where she studied from 2013 to 2020. She also holds a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Literary and Cultural Studies from Carnegie Mellon University, completed in 2013, and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English Language and Literature from the University of Illinois Chicago, achieved in 2011. Her educational background supports her expertise in user experience research and equity-centered projects.
Background
Before her current role at NWEA, Katya Gorecki accumulated diverse experience in research and design. She worked as a Research and Design Fellow at Duke Learning Innovation for nine months and held the position of Design Manager at the University of Michigan's Center for Academic Innovation for nearly a year. Additionally, she has experience as an Instructor for the Duke University Talent Identification Program and as a Conversational UI/AI Customer Support Operator at Dynasty.com.
Achievements
Katya Gorecki has been a core team member on equity-centered projects that assess the impact of partnerships in the education market. She has also led research initiatives focused on developing a next-generation reporting platform for educational assessment insights. Her collaborations with legal departments and Institutional Review Board (IRB) representatives aim to enhance inclusive and equitable research practices.