From the time Marie Cohan set foot on the UTSA campus, she understood the importance of community. Cohan, a first-generation UTSA graduate who earned her B.B.A. in Accounting and Information Systems from the Carlos Alvarez College of Business in 1992, has carried that attitude forward while forging a successful career in IT project management.
She has served as a dedicated volunteer in the Austin community for more than two decades. Her commitment to service is deeply rooted in her family’s tradition of military service and her personal belief in the importance of giving back. She has mentored young girls, provided free accounting services and served on numerous professional and educational boards. Through her involvement with Austin Women in Technology, she has helped create a supportive network for women in the tech industry, emphasizing their importance.
“Supporting other women has always been a priority for me because I believe that our collective success depends on how well we uplift and empower each other,” Cohan says. “It’s not just about advancing in our own careers, but about creating opportunities for the next generation of women to thrive in environments that might have once held us back. By building strong networks and being there for one another, we can break down barriers and pave the way for future leaders.”
Few know better than Cohan what it takes to thrive in the IT profession. She currently serves as the statewide digital accessibility program administrator for the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR), located in Austin, Texas. She can trace much of her success to the education and community involvement opportunities she received at UTSA.
As a Roadrunner, Cohan excelled academically and socially, participating in student clubs and extracurricular activities on campus. One of the most formative experiences during her time at UTSA was working as the business manager for the student newspaper, The Paisano. This role came at a time of significant change in the accounting industry, as it transitioned from manual ledger books to early digital systems. Cohan gained hands-on experience by helping to migrate data to these new systems, which became essential to the work she performed in her early career.
“UTSA provided me with the support and resources I needed to turn my potential into a successful career. The combination of business and technology studies, along with the hands-on experiences I had, like working at the student newspaper, gave me a solid foundation and the confidence to navigate the challenges of the IT industry,” Cohan explains. “UTSA taught me the skills I needed, and it helped me build a network and a sense of community that has been invaluable throughout my career.”
Cohan entered the workforce initially focused on building a career in financial accounting. Over the years, she transitioned between roles in accounting and technology, reflecting the dual focus of her education.
By 2012, Cohan’s career path led her to join the staff of the DIR, where she has held several roles. In her current role, she works to ensure that state-run digital platforms are accessible to users with disabilities, collaborating with digital accessibility officers across various agencies.
In recognition of the UTSA alumna’s dedication and impact in the field of IT project management, she received the Outstanding Women in Texas Government Professional Development Award, an accolade highlighting her commitment to professional growth and her contributions to the DIR. Cohan’s leadership and advocacy for digital accessibility have set her apart as a key figure in Texas government, underscoring her influence and the respect she has earned among her peers.
Looking back, Cohan credits UTSA with providing the foundation she needed to build a successful career. The combination of business and technology studies at UTSA equipped her with the critical thinking and strategic skills necessary to navigate the rapidly evolving IT landscape.
Today, as she continues to lead in her field and contribute to her community, Cohan remains a proud UTSA alumna, eager to help the next generation of Roadrunners succeed.
