At Texas A&M University (TAMU), some of the most impactful March Madness traditions are centered around school spirit and community engagement. One of the biggest traditions is the "Aggie Watch Parties", where students gather at local bars, dorms, or campus spaces to cheer on the Aggies during the tournament. These events are full of energy, with plenty of chants and school pride.Another significant tradition is the "Midnight Yell" before big games, though not exclusive to March Madness, it gets a March Madness twist when it's timed around game days. Students gather at Kyle Field to rally before the games, creating a huge sense of unity and excitement for the team.Lastly, there’s the "Aggie Marching Band", which often performs during the tournament-related events or pep rallies. The band’s involvement amps up school spirit, and their performances are always a highlight. These traditions create a sense of togetherness and keep students energized during the high stakes of March Madness.

I lead a UX design team within the TAMU (Texas A&M Health Science Center), and within that team we were able to create a grant funded project called OliviaKIDS, geared towards increase caregiver involvement in early childhood education. It given me a new appreciation for what it means to create products that people will genuinely use, and what it means to do economically valuable work.

For an Uber activation during March Madness, I'd create a “Bracket Ride Challenge.” Students could enter by using Uber to get to a designated campus spot, and they’d receive a unique bracket card. For every ride taken during the tournament, they’d earn points to fill out their bracket and compete for prizes like free rides, Uber Eats credits, or exclusive event access. To make it more interactive, a live scoreboard could track the best brackets and be updated in real time. This would get students engaged with both Uber and March Madness while offering an incentive to use the service during the event.