WORCESTER — For Jose Cotto, the path from Worcester Public Schools to becoming Director of Community Engagement and Design Justice at Utile was shaped by creativity, mentorship, and a deep connection to community.
A graduate of Worcester Technical High School (2007), Cotto also attended Burncoat Middle School (2003) and Worcester Arts Magnet School (2001). He describes his time in WPS as the foundation for everything that followed—both personally and professionally.
“My experience at Worcester Tech is a critical foundation that has carried my journey,” he said. “It exposed me to people from all over the city and helped me see a life beyond my neighborhood.”
At Worcester Technical High School—known at the time as “Voke”—Cotto found his place in the carpentry program, where hands-on learning became a defining part of his identity. Working on real-world projects, including a renovation on Merrick Street that supported affordable housing, gave him a sense of purpose early on.
“It mattered that what we were building had a real impact on families,” he said. “That experience made me take my work seriously in a different way.”
Beyond technical skills, Cotto points to the relationships he built with educators as one of the most influential parts of his WPS experience. He credits math teacher Linda Kaufman as a key mentor who pushed him to grow academically and personally.
“She believed in me in ways I didn’t always believe in myself,” he said. “She challenged me to show up differently and take ownership of my future.”
He also recalls lessons learned through athletics, particularly baseball, where teamwork and accountability became central themes in his development. A conversation with his coach during senior year reinforced a lasting lesson—that impact is not limited to the spotlight.
“You can still contribute, even when you’re not on the field,” he said. “That stayed with me.”
After graduating from Worcester Tech, Cotto went on to the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design + Architecture. His academic journey later led him to Tulane University in New Orleans, where he became heavily involved with the Tulane City Center, working on projects with nonprofit partners across the city.
That work helped launch a career centered on community-engaged design, education, and public impact.
“I was introduced to the idea that design could be a tool for justice and opportunity,” he said. “That changed everything for me.”
Over the years, Cotto has worked in schools, universities, and nonprofit organizations, including Arts New Orleans and Tulane’s Small Center. In these roles, he helped develop youth programs, secure funding for community initiatives, and create opportunities for students to engage in design and creativity.
One of the most meaningful aspects of his career, he says, has been working directly with young people.
“I’ve seen students transform when they’re given space to create and lead,” he said. “That growth is the most rewarding part of the work.”
Now back in Massachusetts after more than a decade in New Orleans, Cotto continues that mission through his role at Utile, where he focuses on community engagement and design justice. He is currently involved in a master planning effort for Great Brook Valley (GBV) housing development in Worcester—a project that holds personal significance.
“That place shaped my childhood,” he said. “Being able to help imagine its future is something I’m still processing in a meaningful way.”
As part of the effort, he recently reconnected with Worcester Public Schools students through workshops at Burncoat Preparatory Elementary School, where he led conversations about design, creativity, and possibility that helped inform a vision for GBV’s future.
Outside of his professional work, Cotto remains active in creative practice and community engagement, including his work as an artist in residence at the Boston Center for the Arts.
Reflecting on his journey, Cotto emphasizes the importance of relationships, reflection, and staying open to unexpected paths.
“Don’t obsess over where you’re going,” he said. “Focus on the people and experiences that make you feel whole along the way.”
For current students, his advice is simple:
“You’ve already been to all the places you’re meant to go,” he said. “Trust your journey, stay curious, and don’t underestimate your ability to shape the world around you.”